Proverbs 17:24 kjv

Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:24 nkjv

Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:24 niv

A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:24 esv

The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:24 nlt

Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17 verses

Proverbs 17 24 Meaning

Wisdom is directly accessible and evident to one who possesses discernment and insight. In stark contrast, a foolish person's attention is scattered, aimless, and focused on trivial, distant, or irrelevant matters, preventing them from perceiving the wisdom immediately available to them. This verse highlights that the presence of wisdom is contingent not on its scarcity, but on the receptive and focused disposition of the individual.

Proverbs 17 24 Context

Proverbs chapter 17 continues the collection of contrasting statements, often in antithetical parallelism, distinguishing the wise from the foolish and the righteous from the wicked. Themes of conduct, speech, family, and the internal disposition of the heart run throughout. Verse 24 fits directly into this structure, presenting a clear dichotomy between those who discern and those who are oblivious. It serves as a practical observation on the nature of focus and its implications for acquiring wisdom. In the broader context of Proverbs, wisdom (חָכְמָה, chokhmah) is not merely intellectual knowledge but the practical skill of living a godly life, discerning truth, and making sound decisions, rooted in the fear of the LORD. The cultural context emphasizes that wisdom was highly valued for navigating daily life, resolving disputes, and ensuring societal stability, in contrast to the unproductive, often harmful, behavior of fools.

Proverbs 17 24 Word analysis

• Wisdom (חָכְמָה, chokhmah): This is a core concept in Proverbs, referring to skill, prudence, and understanding in moral and spiritual matters, leading to righteous and successful living. It is not just accumulation of facts but the ability to apply knowledge to life situations with discernment.

• is before him (פְּנֵי מֵבִין, pəney mevin): Literally "the face of one who understands." "Before" implies direct presence, accessibility, and being the object of focus or attention. It signifies that wisdom is not hidden or elusive but directly apparent to those who possess the right internal posture.

• that hath understanding (מֵבִין, mevin): Refers to a discerning, intelligent person who perceives truths, grasps connections, and is able to apply knowledge effectively. This understanding goes beyond mere mental assent; it includes insight and spiritual discernment, allowing one to recognize wisdom when it presents itself.

• but (וְ, ve-): A strong conjunction that introduces a sharp contrast, typical of the antithetical parallelism found frequently in Proverbs.

• the eyes (וְעֵינֵי, ve'einei): "Eyes" here symbolize attention, focus, perception, and intention. What one's "eyes" are on signifies what one prioritizes or is distracted by.

• of a fool (כְּסִיל, kesil): In Proverbs, kesil denotes a specific type of fool—one who is stubbornly dull-witted, arrogant, resistant to instruction, despises wisdom, and often acts rashly or wickedly due to a lack of moral discernment. This fool is not just ignorant, but willfully so.

• are in the ends of the earth (בִקְצוֹת אָרֶץ, biqt͡zot ’áretz): An idiom indicating a wandering, unfocused, or scattered mind. It conveys:

  • Distraction/Scatteredness: The mind is not on what is immediately relevant or truly important, but is diffused and restless.
  • Aimless Pursuit: Seeking distant or elusive goals that often prove fruitless or irrelevant, rather than focusing on tangible and immediate responsibilities or truths.
  • Unrealistic Thinking: Fantasizing or daydreaming about remote possibilities instead of engaging with present realities.
  • Lack of Perception: Failing to see the obvious opportunities, dangers, or wisdom that is directly in front of them due to a displaced mental gaze.
  • Spiritual Blindness: Unwillingness or inability to perceive divine wisdom and truth, even when it is readily available.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Wisdom is before him that hath understanding": This phrase highlights that wisdom's presence is conditional on a person's inner state. It's not about the scarcity of wisdom, but the preparedness of the mind and heart to receive and recognize it. Wisdom stands ready to be seen by the discerning individual.
  • "but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth": This vividly contrasts the fool's lack of focus. Their mental "eyes" are unfixed, wandering to irrelevant or unattainable pursuits, thus they miss what is near and valuable. It illustrates a fundamental issue of attention, priority, and practical intelligence in everyday living and spiritual insight.

Proverbs 17 24 Bonus section

This proverb serves as a timeless observation on the power of focus and attention. It implicitly teaches that while wisdom is a divine attribute, access to it depends on human will and mental discipline. The "fool" described is not necessarily unintelligent, but fundamentally undiscerning and unwilling to engage with reality, leading to their scattered focus. Their "eyes in the ends of the earth" suggest a mind disconnected from the present, failing to recognize the profound and spiritual implications of everyday life. This spiritual shortsightedness is often a choice to prioritize what is fleeting or ultimately meaningless over eternal truth and practical righteousness. It emphasizes that discernment is an active posture, while folly is a passive and distracted state.

Proverbs 17 24 Commentary

Proverbs 17:24 draws a sharp contrast between two distinct mindsets: one that is attuned to wisdom and another that is oblivious to it. The wise, or "him that hath understanding," possesses an internal receptivity and focused discernment that allows wisdom, which is always present, to be readily perceived. For such an individual, wisdom is directly accessible, "before" them—a clear and guiding principle in their thoughts and actions.

Conversely, the "fool" is characterized by a wandering, distracted, and ultimately unprofitable mental focus. Their "eyes," symbolizing their attention and mental preoccupation, are "in the ends of the earth"—an idiom denoting a scatterbrained approach, chasing after distant, trivial, or impossible objectives. This individual is incapable of or unwilling to focus on what is immediate, practical, or truly important, thereby missing the very wisdom that stands accessible.

This proverb teaches that true wisdom is not a secret guarded by an elite few but is readily available to those with a receptive and discerning heart. The obstacle to wisdom is not its absence but a person's inner disposition—the focus (or lack thereof) of their attention. The fool's problem is not merely a lack of knowledge but a deeper character flaw that manifests as a restless, misplaced, or frivolous attention, rendering them blind to essential truths and opportunities right in front of them. The wise are present-minded, observing immediate realities; the fool is absent-minded, distracted by external, often futile, pursuits.

Practical usage:

• A student intently studying for an exam versus one daydreaming or constantly checking social media.
• Someone dedicated to learning from their immediate circumstances versus one always longing for an "escape" to a hypothetical ideal place.
• An individual focused on God's immediate will for their life versus one distracted by worldly desires and ambitions.