Let your eyes look forward
This phrase emphasizes the importance of focus and direction in one's life. The Hebrew word for "eyes" is "ayin," which often symbolizes perception and understanding. In the context of Proverbs, it suggests a spiritual and moral focus, urging believers to maintain a clear vision of God's path. Historically, the Israelites were often reminded to keep their eyes on God's commandments and promises, avoiding distractions that could lead them astray. This directive is a call to prioritize spiritual goals over worldly temptations, reflecting a disciplined life that seeks divine wisdom.

fix your gaze straight ahead
The phrase "fix your gaze" comes from the Hebrew "nakan," meaning to establish or set firmly. This implies a deliberate and unwavering commitment to one's spiritual journey. The word "straight" is derived from "yashar," which means upright or righteous. In the ancient Near Eastern context, roads and paths were often winding and treacherous, so a straight path symbolized safety and righteousness. Scripturally, this is a metaphor for living a life aligned with God's will, avoiding the pitfalls of sin and distraction. It encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, looking towards the ultimate goal of eternal life with God. This verse serves as a reminder that a life of faith requires intentionality and perseverance, keeping one's spiritual vision clear and focused on the teachings of Christ.

(25) Let thine eyes look right on.--Comp. the advice of Ecclesiasticus 7:36, "Whatsoever thou takest in hand, remember the end," and of Hebrews 12:2, to look "unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."

Verse 25 - Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids lock straight before thee. "To look right on" and "to look straight before one" is to fix the eyes steadily and unswervingly upon an object before them, not to allow the gaze to deflect either to the right hand or to the left. As a noun, the word nokakh, rendered "right on," signifies what is straight in front of one; adverbially, it has the same meaning as that given in the Authorized Version. The corresponding "before" (neged) is substantively the side of any object which is opposite one, and as a preposition is equivalent to "before," "in the presence of," like the Latin coram. The versions (LXX., Syriac, Targum) take nokakh in the sense of "right things:" "Let thine eyes look at right things;" contemplate them, aim at justice and equity. This meaning is given to the cognate adjective nakoakh in Proverbs 8:9; Proverbs 24:26; Isaiah 26:10; Isaiah 30:10; Isaiah 59:14; but in the Proverbs the word nokakh only occurs twice (here and ver. 21), either as an adverb, "right on," "straightforwardly," or as a preposition, "before." Look straight. Gesenius takes this verb yashar in hiph., "to make straight," as used elliptically: "Let thine eyelids direct a way before thee;" but the meaning is the same as "Let them look straight before thee." The Syriac, Gejerus, and Holden render, "Let thine eyelids direct thy way before thee;" i.e. do nothing rashly, but everything with premeditation; examine thy conduct, and see that it is right. The verb yashar has this meaning, "to direct," in Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 11:5, but it is here used intransitively (Mercerus). Eyelids (aph'appim); so called from their fluttering, rapid motion, here used by way of poetic parallelism with "eyes." What the command inculcates is simplicity of aim or principle, singleness of motive. The moral gaze is to be steadily fixed, because if it wanders indolently, lasciviously, aimlessly, it imperils the purity of the soul. This verse may be understood, as Zockler, as containing a command levelled against dishonest practices. The man who intends to cheat his neighbour looks this way and that how he may deceive him. Such an interpretation may be maintained on the ground that the former verse is directed against falsehood in speech; this against falsehood in action. But the former view is preferable. If you wish to keep the heart, you must be guided by simplicity of aim; look not aside either to the one hand or to the other, lest you may be led astray by the seductions and temptations which imperil the onward and upward progress of the soul. The passage reminds us of the "single eye" (ἄπλους), "simple," i.e. intent on heaven and God, of Matthew 6:22.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Let your eyes
עֵ֭ינֶיךָ (‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

look
יַבִּ֑יטוּ (yab·bî·ṭū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5027: To scan, look intently at, to regard

forward;
לְנֹ֣כַח (lə·nō·ḵaḥ)
Preposition-l
Strong's 5227: The front part, opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of

fix your gaze
וְ֝עַפְעַפֶּ֗יךָ (wə·‘ap̄·‘ap·pe·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - mdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6079: An eyelash, morning ray

straight
יַיְשִׁ֥רוּ (yay·ši·rū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3474: To be straight, even, to be, right, pleasant, prosperous

ahead.
נֶגְדֶּֽךָ׃ (neḡ·de·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 4:25 Let your eyes look straight ahead (Prov. Pro Pr)