Proverbs 23:5

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For [riches] certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

*התעוף **הֲתָ֤עִיף עֵינֶ֥יךָ בּ֗וֹ וְֽאֵ֫ינֶ֥נּוּ כִּ֤י עָשֹׂ֣ה יַעֲשֶׂה־לּ֣וֹ כְנָפַ֑יִם כְּ֝נֶ֗שֶׁר *ועיף **יָע֥וּף הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ פ

Transliteration

Will hăṯāʿîp̄ your eyes on it but ʾênennû, for ʿāśōh yaʿăśeh-lô wings like nešer yāʿûp̄ to the heavens.

Grammar Details

• *hăṯāʿîp̄*: hiphil imperfect, 2nd person masculine singular - cause to fly/glance/gaze
• *ʾênennû*: particle of negation + 3rd person masculine singular suffix - it is not/it is gone
• *ʿāśōh yaʿăśeh-lô*: emphatic construction, qal infinitive absolute + qal imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular + preposition + 3rd person masculine singular suffix - it surely makes for itself
• *nešer*: noun, masculine singular - eagle/vulture
• *yāʿûp̄*: qal imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular - flies

Word Meanings

• *hăṯāʿîp̄*: cause to fly/glance/gaze/set your eyes on
• *ʾênennû*: it is not/it is gone/it has vanished
• *ʿāśōh yaʿăśeh-lô*: it surely makes for itself/it definitely produces for itself
• *nešer*: eagle/vulture/large bird of prey
• *yāʿûp̄*: flies/soars/takes flight

Referenced Verses

• Prov 27:24 : 24 For riches are not for ever: And doth the crown endure unto all generations?
• 1 Tim 6:17 : 17 Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on {G2198} God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
• Jas 5:1-2 : 1 Come now, ye rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.
• 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.
• Gen 42:36 : 36 And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.
• Job 1:14-17 : 14 that there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them; 15 and the Sabeans fell [upon them], and took them away: yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep and the , servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have taken them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
• Ps 39:6 : 6 [Surely every man] [walketh] [in a vain show;] [Surely they are disquieted] [in vain:] [He heapeth up] [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them.
• Ps 119:36-37 : 36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, And not to covetousness. 37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, And quicken me in thy ways.
• Eccl 1:2 : 2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
• Eccl 5:13-14 : 13 There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, [namely], riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt: 14 and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.
• Eccl 12:8 : 8 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.
• Isa 55:2 : 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
• Jer 22:17 : 17 But thine eyes and thy heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for shedding innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.
• Matt 6:19 : 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal:
• 1 Cor 7:29-31 : 29 But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none; 30 and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not; 31 and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away.