Proverbs 24:14 kjv

So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

Proverbs 24:14 nkjv

So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; If you have found it, there is a prospect, And your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 24:14 niv

Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 24:14 esv

Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 24:14 nlt

In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.
If you find it, you will have a bright future,
and your hopes will not be cut short.

Proverbs 24 verses

Proverbs 24 14 Meaning

Proverbs 24:14 affirms that understanding and embodying wisdom provides profound benefit and sustenance to one's inner being. When a person actively seeks and finds this wisdom, their life will culminate in a positive and desirable future, ensuring that their hopes and expectations will not be disappointed or cease.

Proverbs 24 14 Context

Proverbs 24 falls within the section of the book often attributed to the "Sayings of the Wise" (chapters 22:17-24:34), specifically a continuation of "further sayings of the wise" (24:23-34). This chapter intersperses various instructions and warnings, urging readers towards integrity, diligence, and justice, while warning against envy of the wicked, idleness, and social disorder. Proverbs 24:13-14 specifically relates wisdom to a physical delight and nourishment, likening the benefit of wisdom to the sweetness and wholesomeness of honey. Just as honey is good for the body, wisdom is profoundly beneficial for the "soul" or inner life, promising a desirable outcome. The cultural context emphasizes practical righteousness as a path to a well-ordered and prosperous life under God's blessing, contrasting sharply with the destructive paths of the wicked.

Proverbs 24 14 Word analysis

• So: (Hebrew: כֵּן ken) Implies a direct parallel or consequence from the preceding thought (Proverbs 24:13 regarding honey). Just as eating honey yields physical sweetness and benefit, so too does wisdom yield profound, internal, and lasting good.
• shall the knowledge of wisdom be: (Hebrew: וְדַע חָכְמָה ve'da' chokhmah - and know wisdom, or as a noun clause 'knowledge of wisdom')
  • knowledge (דַּעַת da'at): More than mere intellectual acquaintance; it refers to an experiential, intimate, and discerning understanding. It's knowing "how" to live skillfully based on truth. This implies active assimilation, not passive reception.
  • wisdom (חָכְמָה chokhmah): The primary theme of Proverbs. It signifies practical skill in living righteously and successfully, rooted in the fear of the Lord. It’s applying divine truth to daily decisions.
• unto thy soul: (Hebrew: לְנַפְשְׁךָ l'naf'shekha - to your nefesh/soul)
  • soul (נֶפֶשׁ nefesh): Encompasses the whole person, their life-breath, inner being, desires, appetite, and will. Wisdom nourishes the innermost core, providing life and satisfaction, making it a source of well-being for one's very existence.
• when thou hast found it: (Hebrew: מָצָאתָ matsa'ta - when you find) Implies discovery through active search and diligent effort. Wisdom is not automatically acquired; it requires seeking, learning, and applying. This highlights human responsibility in the pursuit of divine truth.
• then there shall be a reward: (Hebrew: וְיֵשׁ אַחֲרִית ve'yesh acharit - and there is a latter end/future/outcome)
  • reward (אַחֲרִית acharit): Crucial term. Literally means "the end," "the latter end," or "future." It denotes a sure outcome or an enduring prosperity. This "reward" is not necessarily material wealth (though that can be part of blessing) but a positive, flourishing culmination of one's life. It speaks of the long-term, ultimate destiny, distinct from immediate gratification.
• and thy expectation shall not be cut off: (Hebrew: וְתִקְוָתְךָ לֹא תִכָּרֵת ve'tikvatkha lo tikkaret - and your hope not be cut off/destroyed)
  • expectation/hope (תִּקְוָה tikvah): Literally, a cord or a line, signifying something to hold onto or depend upon. It refers to the confident anticipation of a good future, a firm ground for what one looks forward to.
  • not be cut off (לֹא תִכָּרֵת lo tikkaret): From the verb "to cut off" or "to be annihilated." This strong negation emphasizes the permanence and certainty of the hope derived from wisdom. It suggests resilience against despair and final destruction. This directly contrasts with the ultimate fate of the wicked, whose "lamp will be put out" (Prov 24:20), indicating their hope will be cut off.

Words-group Analysis:

• "So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul": This phrase draws a direct analogy with the preceding verse's mention of honey, emphasizing wisdom's role as spiritual nourishment that directly benefits and sustains the core of one's being, leading to inner vitality.
• "when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward": Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship. The active, diligent search and acquisition of wisdom (the "finding") is prerequisite to the promised positive "reward," which refers to the desirable and lasting outcome of a life lived by wisdom's principles.
• "and thy expectation shall not be cut off": This climactic assurance promises an enduring future. It implies that hope founded on wisdom is unwavering, dependable, and will ultimately be realized. It speaks to the secure future of the righteous, a definitive contrast to the uncertain or destroyed hope of those who disregard wisdom.

Proverbs 24 14 Bonus section

The Hebrew words acharit (reward/latter end) and tikvah (hope/expectation) are central to the theological message of this verse. Acharit often implies a state of peace and security in one's ultimate outcome, contrasting sharply with the bleak future of the wicked. Tikvah often represents a lifeline, suggesting that the wise have a spiritual lifeline that cannot be severed, even in trials. This stands in direct opposition to a common ancient worldview where fate was arbitrary or capricious. Instead, Proverbs teaches that God's moral order ensures a predictable and beneficial future for those who align themselves with His wisdom, thereby offering a counter-narrative of divine faithfulness and justice.

Proverbs 24 14 Commentary

Proverbs 24:14 is a powerful declaration on the enduring value and assured blessings that accompany the acquisition and application of wisdom. It shifts from the tangible sweetness of honey in the previous verse to the profound, spiritual nourishment wisdom provides to the 'soul,' emphasizing its holistic benefit. Wisdom, here understood not as mere intellect but as a practical, discerning skill for living God-honoring lives, is presented as something actively "found," implying diligent pursuit. The promise that follows – "there shall be a reward" – points to a certain positive outcome or future, transcending immediate circumstances. This "reward" is the ultimate beneficial destiny of the wise, reflecting a divine ordering where righteous living leads to a good end. Most profoundly, the verse assures that the "expectation" or hope of the wise will "not be cut off," providing deep reassurance against despair or unfulfilled promises. It signifies a continuous, unwavering confidence in the future, secured by the principles of godly wisdom.