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.
• 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.
• 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 cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 23The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice. A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. 25A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him. 26If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials 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 14:6The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
• Proverbs 15:14The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
• Ecclesiastes 2:14The wise have eyes in their heads, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.
• Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? A person’s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance.
• John 7:17Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.
• Proverbs 23:5Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
• Psalms 119:37Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
• Ecclesiastes 6:9Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
• 1 John 2:16For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but 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