The Hebrew word "wisdom" (חכמה) appears seven times across these verses, creating a deliberate numerical pattern that reinforces the completeness of divine wisdom's protective power.
Proverbs 24
Wisdom, Justice, and Fear of the Lord
1Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them;
2for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief.
3Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
4by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
5A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength,
6for by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors.
7Wisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.
8One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
9The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
10If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
11Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
12If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not give to every man according to his work?
13My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste;
14so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward: Your hope will not be cut off.
15Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place;
16for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown,
18lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked;
20for there will be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
21My son, fear the LORD and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious,
22for their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both?
Additional Sayings of the Wise
23These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
24He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
25but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
26An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
27Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
28Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.
29Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”
30I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.
31Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
32Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
33a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep,
34so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.
Font Size 17pt
Line Spacing
Theme
Proverbs 24 presents a collection of wisdom sayings emphasizing moral integrity, justice, and the fear of the Lord. The chapter warns against envying the wicked while highlighting wisdom's power to build and strengthen both households and individuals. It calls for active compassion toward those in danger, honest judgment, and patient endurance, concluding with practical observations about diligence versus laziness.
Context
This chapter continues the extended wisdom collection that began in chapter 22, maintaining the practical focus on righteous living while preparing for the final collections of Solomonic proverbs.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-9 Avoiding Evil and Embracing Wisdom Contrasts the futility of evil scheming with wisdom's power to build and strengthen.
- 10-14 Strength in Adversity and Sweet Wisdom Calls for courage in helping others and presents wisdom as sweet and rewarding like honey.
- 15-22 Righteousness, Enemies, and Authority Warns against attacking the righteous, rejoicing over enemies' falls, and rebelling against God and king.
- 23-29 Justice and Honest Dealings Emphasizes impartial judgment, honest testimony, and avoiding personal revenge.
- 30-34 The Sluggard's Field Uses the observation of a neglected vineyard to warn against laziness leading to poverty.
Wisdom, Justice, and Fear of the Lord
24:1–24:22 wisdom instruction contemplative
Wisdom teachings contrasting the righteous and wicked, emphasizing the fear of the Lord, justice, and moral conduct. The passage warns against envy of evildoers and calls for rescuing the innocent while trusting in divine judgment.
structural
The Hebrew word "wisdom" (חכמה) appears seven times across these verses, creating a deliberate numerical pattern that reinforces the completeness of divine wisdom's protective power.
Additional Sayings of the Wise
24:23–24:34 wisdom instruction contemplative
Additional wise sayings emphasizing honest judgment, truthful testimony, and diligent work. The passage concludes with a parable about a lazy person's field, warning against slothfulness and its consequences.
theme_rarity
Solomon's vineyard parable uniquely links truthful judgment with agricultural stewardship, making this one of only two biblical passages where "truth" and "stewardship" themes converge.
Insights
Solomon's vineyard parable uniquely links truthful judgment with agricultural stewardship, making this one of only two biblical passages where "truth" and "stewardship" themes converge.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Proverbs 24:3 3 references
Lexicals 3
Jeremiah 51:15 Lexical
“He has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom. By his understanding he has stretched o…
Jeremiah 10:12 Lexical
God has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding has he stretch…
Proverbs 3:19 Lexical
By wisdom the LORD founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.
Proverbs 24:4 1 reference
Proverbs 24:6 1 reference
Proverbs 24:12 1 reference
Proverbs 24:13 4 references
Lexicals 4
Proverbs 27:7 Lexical
A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.
Proverbs 5:3 Lexical
For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil,
Song of Solomon 2:3 Lexical
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great d…
Song of Solomon 4:11 Lexical
Your lips, my bride, drip like the honeycomb. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The smell of your garments is like t…
Proverbs 24:14 3 references
Lexicals 3
Proverbs 23:18 Lexical
Indeed surely there is a future hope, and your hope will not be cut off.
Jeremiah 31:17 Lexical
There is hope for your latter end,” says the LORD. “Your children will come again to their own territory.
Job 14:7 Lexical
“For there is hope for a tree if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, that the tender branch of it will not cease.
Proverbs 24:15 3 references
Lexicals 3
Proverbs 3:33 Lexical
The LORD’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
Isaiah 35:7 Lexical
The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. Grass with reeds and rushes will be in the…
Isaiah 65:10 Lexical
Sharon will be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down in, for my people who have sought…
Proverbs 24:16 1 reference
Proverbs 24:19 1 reference
Proverbs 24:20 2 references
Proverbs 24:23 1 reference
Proverbs 24:24 2 references
Proverbs 24:33 2 references
Proverbs 24:34 1 reference
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
v. 7
v. 8
v. 9
v. 10
v. 11
v. 12
v. 13
v. 14
v. 15
v. 16
v. 17
v. 18
v. 19
v. 20
v. 21
v. 22
v. 23
v. 24
v. 25
v. 26
v. 27
v. 28
v. 29
v. 30
v. 31
v. 32
v. 33
v. 34
Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages