Proverbs 4:25 — Word Study
WLCעֵ֭ינֶיךָ לְנֹ֣כַח יַבִּ֑יטוּ וְ֝עַפְעַפֶּ֗יךָ יַיְשִׁ֥רוּ נֶגְדֶּֽךָ׃
BSALet your eyesʻayin [the windows of your soul, sources of insight] looknâbaṭ▸ forwardnôkach [straight ahead, to what's in front of you] fix your gazeʻaphʻaph [your attention, your eyelids] straightyâshar▸ aheadneged [before you, in front of you, directly in your path]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עֵ֭ינֶיךָ | eyes your | Noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| לְנֹ֣כַח | before | Preposition |
| יַבִּ֑יטוּ | let them look | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| וְ֝עַפְעַפֶּ֗יךָ | and eyelids your | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| יַיְשִׁ֥רוּ | let them look straight | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| נֶגְדֶּֽךָ׃ | before you | Suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. |
| KJV | Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. |
| ASV | Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee. |
| YLT | Thine eyes do look straightforward, And thine eyelids look straight before thee. |
| WEB | Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. |
| BBE | Keep your eyes on what is in front of you, looking straight before you. |
All translations agree on the core message of focusing one's gaze straight ahead.
The structure features a main clause directing the action, supported by prepositional and verb phrases that clarify the focus.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָבַט
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 4:25
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom's Instructiongenerated
Proverbs 4:25 is part of a series of teachings that emphasize the importance of moral integrity and focus in life. The verses preceding and following this one encourage the reader to avoid deception and to make straight paths, reinforcing the idea that one's direction in life is crucial to wise living.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 23:5–33 | When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky. |
| 2 | Job 31:1 | “I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I gaze with desire at a virgin? |
| 3 | Psalm 119:37 | Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word. |
| 4 | Matthew 6:22 | The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יַבִּ֑יטוּ, ya.Bi.tugenerated
The verb נָבַט (*nabat*) means 'to look' or 'to regard' and is in the Hiphil stem, indicating an active sense of looking with intention. It conveys a careful observation, suggesting that one should look thoughtfully and with purpose.
This form is in the imperfect tense, indicating an ongoing action. The use of the third person masculine plural suggests that the instruction is directed to a group, emphasizing a communal aspect of wisdom.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations of this verse largely agree, with all versions using similar wording to convey the idea of looking forward and fixing one's gaze.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verbs יַבִּ֑יטוּ and יַיְשִׁ֥רוּ govern the clauses, directing the action of looking and fixing one's gaze. The structure emphasizes a command to actively engage with one's surroundings.
The sentence is straightforward, with the verbs leading the action and the phrases following to clarify the intended direction and focus.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb נָבַט is rendered as βλεπέτωσαν, which carries a similar meaning of looking or seeing. This choice indicates a consistent understanding of the action of looking forward.
The translation reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew, maintaining the emphasis on intentional observation.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 4:25 advises to keep your eyes looking straight ahead and to focus your attention on what is before you. This guidance is part of a broader teaching about living wisely and avoiding distractions.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To fix your gaze straight ahead means to concentrate on your goals and the path in front of you, avoiding distractions.
You can apply this verse by setting clear goals and focusing on them, while avoiding negative influences that may divert your attention.
Looking forward signifies a proactive approach to life, emphasizing the importance of direction and intention in making wise choices.
This verse connects with the surrounding verses by reinforcing the theme of maintaining integrity and focus in one's actions and decisions.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What distractions do I need to avoid in order to focus on my goals?
- How can I encourage others to keep their gaze fixed straight ahead?
- What steps can I take to ensure my path is straight and true?
- In what areas of my life do I need to seek wisdom and guidance?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss moral integrity and the importance of focusing on inner thoughts rather than external appearances.
He "looks right on" who has thoughts free of passion; and he has true judgments, who is not in a state of excitement about external appearances.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 4 →
Someone will say, “What, then, is sin? Is it an animal? An angel? A demon? What is this which infects us?” Rest assured it is not an enemy attacking from without but an evil springing up within you.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 4 →
It is necessary that, before other things, you have a sound mind within yourselves and that you be mindful of holy Scripture addressing you and saying,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 4 →
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 4:25 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLet thine eyes look right on,.... To the path of truth and holiness, without turning or looking to the right hand or left, as it is afterwards expressed; to the word of truth, as the rule to walk by;
Read John Gill on Proverbs 4 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryLet thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 4 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleDirect all thine actions by a good intention, to a right end, and keep thy mind fixed upon that way which leads to it, and neither look nor turn aside to the right hand nor to the left, as it follows, .
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 4 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.Ver. 25. Let thine eyes look right on.] E regione, vel in rectum. Let them be fixed upon right objects. Get that stoic eye of our Saviour; get a patriarch’ s eye; be well skilled in Moses’ s optics; have oculum in metam, which was Ludovicus Vives’ s motto. Do as mariners that have their eye on the star, their hand on the stern. A man may not look intently upon that which he may not love. The disciples were set agog by beholding the beauty of the temple. If therefore thine eye offend thee, or cause thee to offend, pull it out of the old Adam, and set it in the new man. If thou use it not well, thou…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 4 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(25) Let thine eyes look right on.—Comp. the advice of Sir 7:36, “Whatsoever thou takest in hand, remember the end,” and of Heb 12:2, to look “unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 4 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible25. Eyelids look straight — Rather, be straight or level. A caution against all insincerity of word or conduct. Comp. Proverbs 6:13; Proverbs 10:10; Matthew 6:22-23.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 4 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.
Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.
Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.
Let your eyes look directly in front of you and let your gaze look straight before you.
Tyndale line
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Let thy eyes look right on, and let thy eyelids look straight before thee.
Let thine eyes beholde the right, and let thine eyelids direct thy way before thee.
Strictly literal
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Thine eyes do look straightforward, And thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Your eyes look straightforward, || And your eyelids look straight before you.
Let thy eyes look right forward, and let thy eyelids see straight out before thee.
Let your eyes look straight ahead and fix your gaze straight before you.
From the Latin
Let thy eyes look straight on, and let thy eyelids go before thy steps.
Simplified
Focus on what's ahead of you; look at what's in front of you.
Keep your eyes on what is in front of you, looking straight before you.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in this verse, with all six words matched. This indicates a strong consistency in the transmission of the text across these traditions.
עֵ֭ינֶיךָ לְנֹ֣כַח יַבִּ֑יטוּ וְ֝עַפְעַפֶּ֗יךָ יַיְשִׁ֥רוּ נֶגְדֶּֽךָ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 4:25
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye
lit. as physical organ
eyes as showing mental qualities
desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
Transferred mngs.:
visible surface of earth
appearance
gleam, sparkle
Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
base
עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:
ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1
ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19
ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.
ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)
base
H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ
. . eyes as showing mental qualities
. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth
. appearance
. gleam, sparkle
. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)
5869 `ayin ah'-yin
probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or
figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the
landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +
think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +
displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,
fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,
knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,
presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +
think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.
: eye
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.
: seeing
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.
: appearance
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).
: before(the_eyes)
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.
: sin
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
N-cd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHNcfdc/Sp2ms
נֹ֫כַח (nokach) refers to the concept of being in front of or opposite to something. It can function as a noun meaning 'front' or as an adverb and preposition indicating direction or position, such as 'before' or 'on behalf of.' The word is closely related to נֵכַח (nekhach), which also means 'before.'
נֹ֫כַח subst. front, always in prep. or adv. phrases
as adv. acc. in front of, opposite to
combined with preps.
base
H5227 נֹ֫כַח front
5227 nokach no'-kakh
from the same as 5226; properly, the front part; used
adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front
of, forward, in behalf of:--(over) against, before,
direct(-ly), for, right (on).
see HEBREW for 05226
נֹ֫כַח (no.khach) — before.
subst
1) be in front of
adv
2) in front of, opposite to, in the sight of, before, to the front, right on
prep
3) towards the front of, in front of, on behalf of, as far as in front of
Also means: ne.khach (נֵכַח "before" H5226)
Prep | N-ms — PrepositionHR/Acmsa
be-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Ge 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Ps 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isa 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west).
נָבַט (nabat) is a Hebrew verb meaning to look or regard. It encompasses various nuances, such as looking intently, considering, and showing favor or care. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical forms, specifically the Piel and Hiphil stems, which emphasize the act of looking or regarding. No significant disagreements among lexicons are noted.
[נָבַט] vb. Pi., Hiph. look
Pi. look
Hiph. look
base
H5027 נָבַט look
5027 nabat naw-bat'
a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by
implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care:--(cause
to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see.
נָבַט (na.vat) — to look.
1) to look, regard
1a) (Piel) to look
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) tolook
1b2) to regard, show regard to, pay attention to, consider
1b3) to look upon, regard, show regard to
V-Hiphil-Juss-3mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVhi3mp
look:
(1) The uses of the simple verb in English Versions of the Bible are nearly all good modern English. In Isa 5:2, however, "He looked that it should bring forth grapes"--"look" is used in the sense of "expect." Compare the King James Version of Sirach 20:14; Ac 28:6, "They looked when he should have swollen" (the Revised Version (British and American) "They expected that he would have swollen"). In 1 Macc 4:54, the King James Version has inserted "look" (omitted in the Revised Version (British and American)) as a simple interjection, without a corresponding word in the Greek
(2) "Look upon" means "fix one's attention on," and is often so used in English Versions of the Bible without further significance (Ec 2:11;
עַפְעַף (aph'aph) refers to an eyelid, derived from a root meaning to flutter. It can also figuratively describe the rays of the morning sun or dawn. The entries consistently emphasize its primary meaning related to the eyelid, with a secondary figurative use.
[עַפְעַף] n.m. eyelid
base
H6079 עַפְעַף
6079 `aph`aph af-af'
from 5774; an eyelash (as fluttering); figuratively, morning
ray:--dawning, eye-lid.
see HEBREW for 05774
עַפְעַף (aph.aph) — eyelid.
1) eyelid
1a) eyelid
1b) of dawn, rays of sun (fig.)
Conj | N-mp | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHC/Ncmpc/Sp2ms
יָשַׁר (yashar) is a Hebrew root meaning to be smooth, straight, or right. It encompasses various nuances, including being upright, pleasing, and just. The word can also imply directing or leading someone along a straight path. Notably, it appears in ethical contexts, emphasizing straightforwardness and integrity.
יָשַׁר vb. be smooth, straight, right
Qal
go straight
fig., be pleasing, agreeable, right
in ethical sense, straightforward, upright
Pi.
make smooth, straight
lead straight along, direct
esteem right, approve
Pu. gold made level, laid smoothly out, upon the graven work
Hiph. let thine eyelids look straight before thee
base
H3474 יָשַׁר be smooth, straight, right
3474 yashar yaw-shar'
a primitive root; to be straight or even; figuratively, to be
(causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperous:--direct,
fit, seem good (meet), + please (will), be (esteem, go) right
(on), bring (look, make, take the) straight (way), be
upright(-ly).
יָשַׁר (ya.shar) — to smooth.
1) to be right, be straight, be level, be upright, be just, be lawful, be smooth
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go straight
1a2) to be pleasing, be agreeable, be right (fig.)
1a3) to be straightforward, be upright
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make right, make smooth, make straight
1b2) to lead, direct, lead straight along
1b3) to esteem right, approve
1c) (Pual) to be made level, be laid smoothly out
1d) (Hiphil) to make straight, look straight
V-Hiphil-Juss-3mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVhi3mp
נֶ֫גֶד (neged) refers to something that is conspicuous or in front, functioning as both a noun and an adverb. It denotes a position opposite or before someone, often used to indicate presence or visibility. The word can imply a counterpart or mate, and it appears in contexts emphasizing sight or proximity.
נֶ֫גֶד 151 subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to
base
H5048 נֶ֫גֶד subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to
5048 neged neh'-ghed
from 5046; a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a
counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with
preposition) over against or before:--about, (over) against,
X aloof, X far (off), X from, over, presence, X other side,
sight, X to view.
see HEBREW for 05046
נֶ֫גֶד (ne.ged) — before.
subst
1) what is conspicuous, what is in front of
adv
2) in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of
3) in front of oneself, straightforward
4) before your face, in your view or purpose
with prep
5) what is in front of, corresponding to
6) in front of, before
7) in the sight or presence of
8) parallel to
9) over, for
10) in front, opposite
11) at a distance
prep
12) from the front of, away from
13) from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from
14) from before, in front of
15) as far as the front of
Aramaic equivalent: ne.ged (נֶ֫גֶד "before" H5049)
Prep | Suff — SuffixHAcmsc/Sp2ms