I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction:
Parallel translations
- WEB Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
- KJV Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
- NKJV When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction:
- NASB When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction.
- NLT Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson:
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 teacher reflects carefully on what he saw and draws a lesson from it. Wisdom comes through thoughtful observation.
Overview
Rather than passing by, the sage 'considers well' and receives instruction, showing that wisdom is gained by attentive reflection on God's world. This models the discipline of learning from the consequences others suffer. It commends a teachable heart that turns everyday sights into moral instruction.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- 1 Cor 10:11Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.
- Deut 13:11Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such a wicked thing among you.
- Luke 2:51Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
- 1 Cor 10:6These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did.
- Luke 2:19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
- Ps 4:4Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah
- Jude 1:5–7Although you are fully aware of this, I want to remind you that after Jesus had delivered His people out of the land of Egypt, He destroyed those who did not believe.
- Deut 21:21Then all the men of his city will stone him to death. So you must purge the evil from among you, and all Israel will hear and be afraid.
- Deut 32:29If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.
- Job 7:17What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
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 24:32 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.