Proverbs 17:24

Proverbs 17:24 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
• New International Version (NIV)A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Context of Proverbs 17:24

22A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 23The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice. The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. 25A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. 26To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

Proverbs 17:24 word by word

אֶת־פְּנֵ֣י מֵבִ֣ין חָכְמָ֑ה וְעֵינֵ֥י כְ֝סִ֗יל בִּקְצֵה־אָֽרֶץ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• before him that hath understandingבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
• before him that hath understandingפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
• but the eyesעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5869
• of a foolכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• in the endsקָצֶהqâtseh qêtseh · endH7097
• of the earthאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:24

• Proverbs 14:6A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
• Proverbs 15:14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
• Ecclesiastes 2:14The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them.
• Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.
• John 7:17If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
• Proverbs 23:5When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.
• Psalms 119:37Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
• Ecclesiastes 6:9Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
• 1 John 2:16For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Commentaries on Proverbs 17:24

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24Are in the ends of the earth - Wisdom is within the sight and reach at every man: but he whose desires are scattered abroad, who is always aiming at impossible things, or is of an unsteady disposition, is not likely to find it.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 24Before him - Set straight before his eyes as the mark to which they look. Others, following the Septuagint and Vulgate, interpret the verse, Wisdom is seen in the clear, stedfast look of the wise man as contrasted with the wandering gaze of the fool.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 24Verse 24 The prudent man keeps the word of God continually in view. But the foolish man cannot fix his thoughts, nor pursue any purpose with steadiness.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 24Wisdom is not natural; you must seek it. Wise people work hard to gain wisdom, but fools cannot stay focused.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2424. Wisdom ... him--ever an object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 17:24

• Fool
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Ends of the Earth
• Fine
• Friend
• Glad
• Grief
• Price
• Rule
• Strike
• Eye
• Fool; Folly

Commentaries on Proverbs 17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings