Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
Parallel translations
- WEB Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
- KJV Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
- BSB Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
- NASB Wisdom is in the presence of one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
- NLT Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
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 keep wisdom in clear focus, while fools let their attention drift everywhere. Focused pursuit of wisdom contrasts with the fool's aimless distraction.
Overview
Wisdom is set 'before the face' of the understanding person, near at hand and the object of his gaze, while the fool's eyes 'wander to the ends of the earth,' chasing distant fancies. The proverb commends concentrated attentiveness to wisdom rather than restless distraction. Believers find this wisdom supremely in Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3), to be sought and kept in view.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Eccl 2:14The wise man’s eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness — and yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.
- Eccl 8:1Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.
- Ps 119:37Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.
- Prov 14:6A scoffer seeks wisdom, and doesn’t find it, but knowledge comes easily to a discerning person.
- Prov 23:5Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
- 1 Jn 2:16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s.
- Prov 15:14The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
- John 7:17If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself.
- Eccl 6:9Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 17:24 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.