Proverbs 17:24

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

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

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

אֶת־פְּנֵי מֵבִין חָכְמָה וְעֵינֵי כְסִיל בִּקְצֵה־אָרֶץ

Transliteration

With pənê mēbîn chŏkmāh wə-'ênê kəsîl in qəṣēh-'āreṣ

Grammar Details

• *'et-pənê*: direct object marker + noun, plural construct - face of
• *mēbîn*: participle, Hiphil - understanding
• *chŏkmāh*: noun, feminine singular - wisdom
• *wə-'ênê*: conjunction + noun, dual construct - and eyes of
• *kəsîl*: noun, masculine singular - fool
• *bi-qəṣēh*: preposition + noun, masculine singular construct - at end of
• *'āreṣ*: noun, feminine singular - earth/land

Word Meanings

• *pənê*: face/presence/before
• *mēbîn*: understanding one/discerning person
• *chŏkmāh*: wisdom/skill/knowledge
• *'ênê*: eyes of
• *kəsîl*: fool/stupid person
• *qəṣēh-'āreṣ*: end of earth/ends of the earth

Referenced Verses

• Eccl 2:14 : 14 The wise man's eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all.
• Eccl 6:9 : 9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
• Eccl 8:1 : 1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.
• John 7:17 : 17 If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or [whether] I speak from myself.
• 1 John 2:16 : 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
• Prov 14:6 : 6 A scoffer seeketh wisdom, and [findeth it] not; But knowledge is easy unto him that hath understanding.
• Prov 15:14 : 14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
• Prov 23:5 : 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For [riches] certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.
• Ps 119:37 : 37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, And quicken me in thy ways.