Proverbs 15 · Verse 24

Proverbs 15:24

The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
Proverbs 15:24, King James Version

Proverbs 15:24 in other translations

BSBThe path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may avoid going down to Sheol.
WEBThe path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.
ASVTo the wise the way of life goeth upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.
YLTA path of life is on high for the wise, To turn aside from Sheol beneath.
DARBYThe path of life is upwards for the wise, that he may depart from Sheol beneath.
BBEActing wisely is the way of life, guiding a man away from the underworld.
WebsterThe way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

What does Proverbs 15:24 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
24. (Compare Col 3:2). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 24 The way of life is above to the wise - There is a treble antithesis here: 1. The way of the wise, and that of the fool. 2. The one is above, the other below. 3. The one is of life, the other is of death.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
A good man sets his affections on things above; his way leads directly thither.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 15:24 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

אֹ֣רַח'O.rach[the] path ofH734
חַ֭יִּיםChai.yimlifeH2416
לְמַ֣עְלָהle.Ma'.lah[is] <to> upwards <towards>H4605
לְמַשְׂכִּ֑ילle.mas.Kilfor [one who] acts prudentlyH7919
לְמַ֥עַןle.Ma.'anso asH4616
ס֝֗וּרSurto turn asideH5493
מִשְּׁא֥וֹלmi.she.'olfrom SheolH7585
מָֽטָּה\׃Ma.tahbeneathH4295

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 15:24

  • Colossians 3:1-2

    If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

  • Psalms 16:11

    Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

  • Matthew 7:14

    Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

  • Philippians 3:20

    For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

  • Jeremiah 21:8

    And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.

  • John 14:6

    Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

  • Psalms 139:24

    And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

  • Proverbs 23:14

    Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

  • Proverbs 9:8

    Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

  • Proverbs 6:23

    For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

  • Proverbs 2:18

    For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.

  • Proverbs 5:5

    Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
way.
6:23; Ps 16:11; 139:24; Jer 21:8; Mt 7:14; Joh 14:6
above.
Php 3:20; Col 3:1,2
that.
2:18; 5:5; 7:27; 9:8; 23:14

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 15:23

    A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

  • Proverbs 15:24

    The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

  • Proverbs 15:25

    The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

Read all of Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15:24 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El camino de la vida es hacia arriba al entendido, para apartarse del infierno abajo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Le sentier de la vie est en haut pour les intelligents, afin qu’ils se détournent du shéol, en bas.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Der Weg des Lebens ist für den Einsichtigen aufwärts, damit er dem Scheol unten entgehe.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Semita vitæ super eruditum, ut declinet de inferno novissimo.