The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
Parallel translations
- WEB The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
- BSB The path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
- ESV The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
- NKJV The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.
- NASB The path of life leads upward for the wise, So that he may keep away from Sheol below.
- NLT The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The wise pursue a path that leads upward to life, turning away from the downward road to death. It matters because wisdom sets the whole direction of one's life and destiny.
Overview
This proverb describes two trajectories: the wise ascend toward life while the foolish descend toward Sheol, the realm of the dead. It frames wisdom as a matter not merely of better living but of ultimate destiny. The New Testament unfolds this fully in Christ, who is the way to life and rescues from death (John 14:6).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Col 3:1–2If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
- Ps 16:11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
- Matt 7:14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
- Jer 21:8And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
- John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
- Phil 3:20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
- Ps 139:24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
- Prov 23:14Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
- Prov 7:27Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
- Prov 5:5Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
- Prov 9:8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
- Prov 2:18For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
- Prov 6:23For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 15:24 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.