Proverbs 4:25 kjv
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Proverbs 4:25 nkjv
Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.
Proverbs 4:25 niv
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
Proverbs 4:25 esv
Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
Proverbs 4:25 nlt
Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
Proverbs 4 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 4:26 | Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. | Direct follow-up, emphasizing careful navigation. |
| Prov 4:27 | Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. | Companion verse, warning against deviation. |
| Matt 6:22 | The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. | Singleness of vision, spiritual discernment. |
| Luke 11:34 | The light of the body is the eye... when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light. | Parallel to Matthew, purity of spiritual intent. |
| Luke 9:62 | No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. | Committed focus on spiritual tasks. |
| Heb 12:2 | Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith... | Fixing eyes on Christ as the ultimate focus. |
| Phil 3:13-14 | ...one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark... | Single-minded pursuit of the goal in Christ. |
| Col 3:1-2 | If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above... Set your affection on things above... | Setting one's mind/gaze on heavenly realities. |
| Ps 101:3 | I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes... | Actively choosing what not to look at or entertain. |
| Job 31:1 | I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? | Pledging to guard one's gaze against lust. |
| Prov 23:33 | Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. | Warning against where unfocused eyes can lead. |
| Prov 5:8 | Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house. | Avoiding proximity to temptation and evil paths. |
| Prov 1:15 | My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path... | Warning against companionship leading to deviance. |
| Is 26:7 | The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. | God's expectation for the righteous path. |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the LORD with all thine heart... He shall direct thy paths. | Reliance on God for guidance and straightness. |
| Prov 8:20 | I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment. | Wisdom itself leads to the right path. |
| Jer 6:16 | ...ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein... | Seeking and adhering to established righteous paths. |
| Ps 119:37 | Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. | Prayer for divine help in guarding the gaze. |
| Rom 12:2 | And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind... | Resisting worldly distractions and patterns. |
| 1 John 2:16 | For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father... | Identifying "lust of the eyes" as a source of sin. |
| Ps 1:6 | For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. | God's knowledge and distinction of the righteous path. |
| Phil 4:8 | Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true... think on these things. | Directing thought and attention to godly things. |
Proverbs 4 verses
Proverbs 4 25 Meaning
This verse is a paternal instruction advocating for focused attention, moral purity, and unwavering purpose in one's life path. It counsels maintaining a direct and forward-looking spiritual and ethical gaze, avoiding distractions that could lead astray from righteousness.
Proverbs 4 25 Context
Proverbs chapter 4 serves as a powerful paternal discourse urging a son to embrace and prioritize wisdom above all else. The father recounts his own early lessons from his parents, highlighting wisdom as the "principal thing" (v. 7) that offers life, honor, and protection. He starkly contrasts the path of the wicked with the shining path of the righteous (vv. 14-19). Verses 20-27 form a concluding section that focuses on "guarding the heart with all diligence" (v. 23) because "out of it are the issues of life." Within this broader instruction, verse 25 is a specific admonition about managing one's gaze as a critical component of heart-keeping, directly following the command to guard the mouth (v. 24) and preceding the instruction to ponder one's steps (v. 26). This holistic approach emphasizes that a righteous life requires integrity and intentionality across all facets of being – speech, sight, thought, and action.
Proverbs 4 25 Word analysis
- Let thine eyes:
- Hebrew: ʿêneykā (עֵינֶיךָ) from ʿayin (עַיִן), meaning "eye," often used metaphorically for insight, perception, or spiritual understanding.
- Significance: The instruction targets not just physical sight but the entirety of one's observation and focus, crucial for spiritual illumination (Matt 6:22).
- look right on:
- Hebrew: yishcheru (יְשַׁחֲרוּ) from shachar (שָׁחַר), meaning "to seek, look earnestly." Here, it conveys an intense, purposeful, and fixed gaze.
- Significance: Implies active intent and unwavering commitment to the desired direction, not a passive or fleeting glance.
- and let thine eyelids:
- Hebrew: waʿappappeykā (וְעַפְעַפֶּיךָ) from ʿafʿaf (עַפְעַף), meaning "eyelid." This parallel strengthens the instruction by encompassing the complete act of vision.
- Significance: Reinforces the command, suggesting that every aspect of visual attention, even down to the controlling muscles of the eye, must be aligned and disciplined.
- look straight before thee:
- Hebrew: yayyeshiru negdeka (יַיְשִׁרוּ נֶגְדֶּךָ). yayyeshiru from yashar (יָשָׁר), "to be straight, right, upright." negdeka from neged (נֶגֶד), "in front of, directly facing."
- Significance: This phrase directly calls for an undeviating, upright focus, preventing wavering or distractions from side glances, ensuring a morally and spiritually linear path.
- Words-group Analysis:
- "Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee": This dual phrasing utilizes synonymous parallelism, a common Hebrew poetic device, to emphasize the totality and intensity of the instruction. By referencing both "eyes" and "eyelids," the proverb captures the full scope of one's visual attention and its underlying moral intention. It signifies a singular, unwavering focus, where physical sight directly reflects an internal commitment to a righteous and pure path. This metaphor stresses the vital role of disciplined vision in maintaining a godly walk and effectively "guarding the heart" as outlined earlier in the chapter. It implies directness of purpose, unwavering determination, and vigilance against spiritual and moral deviation, implicitly warning against the "lust of the eyes" (1 Jn 2:16) and frivolous or ungodly observations that could lead one astray.
Proverbs 4 25 Bonus section
The strong visual metaphors in this proverb are deeply rooted in the ancient understanding of the eye as a primary conduit to the soul and will. The call for an unswerving gaze implies an integrated self where mind, heart, and body are aligned towards a singular, righteous objective. The phrase "right on" (יְשַׁחֲרוּ, yishcheru) has nuances of diligent seeking, reinforcing that maintaining such a focus is not passive but requires conscious and continuous effort. This proverb offers a spiritual strategy against the powerful lure of temptation, much of which enters through the visual gateway. It promotes a life of spiritual clarity and deliberate motion, serving as a powerful preventative measure against sin by regulating what one allows to captivate their attention and thereby influence their desires and actions.
Proverbs 4 25 Commentary
Proverbs 4:25 provides a crucial directive on the disciplined use of one's vision, extending far beyond mere physical sight to encompass spiritual intention and moral purpose. It serves as a stern warning against spiritual distraction, emphasizing the need for unswerving focus on the path of righteousness. The command to "look right on" and "look straight before thee" implies a resolute and undeviating commitment, avoiding any temptation to stray, whether by curiosity, idle looking, or sinful desires. This proactive discipline of the eye is vital for maintaining integrity of heart, guarding against moral corruption that often begins with what one permits themselves to see or dwell upon. Just as a careful traveler fixes their gaze on their destination and avoids perilous detours, so a person seeking wisdom must keep their spiritual vision fixed on God's truth, resisting all external pressures and internal inclinations to deviate. This is a practical call to vigilance, ensuring that one's gaze is directed towards purity, honesty, and the divine path, embodying a single-minded pursuit of Christ-like living.
Examples:
- Like a cross-country runner keeping their gaze fixed solely on the path ahead to avoid stumbling.
- Similar to an architect intently studying blueprints, focusing on precision without diversion.
- Like a spiritual warrior discerning the enemy and maintaining an unblinking watch, not drawn to fleeting worldly attractions.