The crown of the wise is their wealth
In biblical times, a crown symbolized honor, authority, and achievement. The "crown of the wise" suggests that wisdom leads to tangible benefits, often seen as wealth. This wealth is not merely material but includes spiritual and relational prosperity. In the context of Proverbs, wisdom is highly valued and is often associated with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). The wise person, through prudent living and godly fear, accumulates wealth that is both material and spiritual. This aligns with the biblical principle that God blesses those who seek wisdom (James 1:5). The wealth of the wise can also be seen as a metaphor for the richness of life that comes from living according to God's principles.

but the effort of fools is folly
In contrast, the "effort of fools" results in folly, indicating that despite their labor, fools achieve nothing of lasting value. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, folly was not just a lack of intelligence but a moral failing, a rejection of God's wisdom. The fool's efforts are misguided because they lack the foundation of wisdom that begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). This phrase underscores the biblical theme that without wisdom, human efforts are futile (Ecclesiastes 1:14). The fool's labor leads to folly, which is self-destructive and ultimately unproductive. This contrast between the wise and the foolish is a recurring theme in Proverbs, emphasizing the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding.

1. Solomon
Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His reign was marked by peace and prosperity, and he is credited with compiling many of the wise sayings found in the Book of Proverbs.

2. The Wise
In the context of Proverbs, the wise are those who live according to God's principles, valuing wisdom and understanding. They are often contrasted with fools, who reject wisdom.

3. Fools
In biblical literature, fools are those who disregard God's wisdom and live according to their own understanding. Their actions often lead to negative consequences.The Value of Wisdom
Wisdom is portrayed as a crown, symbolizing honor and authority. In a conservative Christian perspective, this suggests that living wisely according to God's principles brings true wealth and honor.

The Futility of Foolishness
The efforts of fools are described as folly, indicating that without wisdom, human endeavors are ultimately meaningless and unproductive.

Spiritual Wealth Over Material Wealth
While the verse acknowledges the material benefits of wisdom, it also implies that true wealth is spiritual. Christians are encouraged to seek wisdom and understanding as their primary treasures.

Practical Wisdom in Daily Life
Applying wisdom in everyday decisions leads to a life that reflects God's glory and results in blessings that go beyond material wealth.(24) The crown of the wise is their riches.--They adorn and set off the wisdom of the wise, and bring it more prominently into notice; but the "foolishness of fools" remains folly. The rich fool only displays his folly all the more from being set in a conspicuous position.

Verse 24. - The crown of the wise is their riches. This is taken by some ('Speaker's Commentary') to mean the glory of the wise man, the fame and splendour which surround him, constitute his wealth; but it is better to interpret it thus: Riches are an ornament to a wise man; they enhance and set off his wisdom in the eyes of others, enable him to use it to advantage, and are not the snare which they might be because they are employed religiously and profitably for the good of others. Ecclesiastes 7:11, "Wisdom is good together with an inheritance, and profitable to them that see the sun." The Septuagint has, "The crown of the wise is the clever man (πανοῦργος)," for which has been substituted by some editors, in agreement with the present Hebrew text, πλοῦτους αὐτῶν, " their wealth." The Greek translators, according to their reading, denote that one eminently clever man is a glory to the whole body of wise men. But the folly of fools is only folly; that is, even though it were accompanied with riches. Decorate folly as you may, trick it out in gaud and ornament, it is still nothing but folly, and is discerned as such, and that all the more for being made conspicuous. Schultens, followed by Wordsworth, finds a play of words here. The words rendered "fool" and "folly" imply "fatness," like the Greek παχὺς and the Latin crassus, which have also this double meaning. So the sentence reads, "Riches are a crown to the wise; but the abundant fatness of fools is only fatness." The last clause is translated by the LXX., "But the fools' way of life (διατριβὴ) is evil." St. Gregory ('Moral.,' 22:8) comments on this verse thus: "It was these riches of wisdom that Solomon having before his eyes, saith, 'The crown of the wise is their riches.' Which same person, because it is not metals of earth, but understanding, that he calls by the name of riches, thereupon adds by way of a contrary, 'But the foolishness of fools is imprudence.' For if he called earthly riches the crown of the wise. surely he would own the senselessness of fools to be poverty rather than imprudence. But whereas he added, 'the foolishness of fools is imprudence,' he made it plain that he called prudence 'the riches of the wise'" (Oxford tran cf.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


The crown
עֲטֶ֣רֶת (‘ă·ṭe·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5850: A crown, wreath

of the wise
חֲכָמִ֣ים (ḥă·ḵā·mîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2450: Wise

is their wealth,
עָשְׁרָ֑ם (‘ā·šə·rām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6239: Wealth

[but] the effort
אִוֶּ֖לֶת (’iw·we·leṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 200: Silliness

of fools
כְּסִילִ֣ים (kə·sî·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool

[is] folly.
אִוֶּֽלֶת׃ (’iw·we·leṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 200: Silliness


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 14:24 The crown of the wise is their (Prov. Pro Pr)