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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on 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.

Context of Proverbs 17:24

22A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one’s strength. 23A wicked person secretly accepts a bribe to corrupt the ways of justice. Wisdom is directly in front of an understanding person, but the eyes of a fool ⌞are looking around⌟ all over the world. 25A foolish son is a heartache to his father and bitter grief to his mother. 26To punish an innocent person is not good. To strike down noble people is not right.

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 mocker searches for wisdom without finding it, but knowledge comes easily to a person who has understanding.
• Proverbs 15:14The mind of a person who has understanding searches for knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on stupidity.
• Ecclesiastes 2:14A wise person uses the eyes in his head, but a fool walks in the dark. But I have also come to realize that the same destiny waits for both of them.
• Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is really wise? Who knows how to explain things? Wisdom makes one’s face shine, and it changes one’s grim look.
• John 7:17Those who want to follow the will of God will know if what I teach is from God or if I teach my own thoughts.
• Proverbs 23:5Will you catch only a fleeting glimpse of wealth before it is gone? It makes wings for itself like an eagle flying into the sky.
• Psalms 119:37Turn my eyes away from worthless things. Give me a new life in your ways.
• Ecclesiastes 6:9It is better to look at what is in front of you than to go looking for what you want. Even this is pointless. ⌞It’s like⌟ trying to catch the wind.
• 1 John 2:16Not everything that the world offers—physical gratification, greed, and extravagant lifestyles—comes from the Father. It comes from the world, and

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