Proverbs 24:14

Authorized King James Version

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So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

Original Language Analysis

כֵּ֤ן׀ H3651
כֵּ֤ן׀
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 1 of 11
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
דְּעֶ֥ה So shall the knowledge H3045
דְּעֶ֥ה So shall the knowledge
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 2 of 11
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
חָכְמָ֗ה of wisdom H2451
חָכְמָ֗ה of wisdom
Strong's: H2451
Word #: 3 of 11
wisdom (in a good sense)
לְנַ֫פְשֶׁ֥ךָ be unto thy soul H5315
לְנַ֫פְשֶׁ֥ךָ be unto thy soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 4 of 11
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 5 of 11
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
מָ֭צָאתָ when thou hast found H4672
מָ֭צָאתָ when thou hast found
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 6 of 11
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
וְיֵ֣שׁ it then there shall be H3426
וְיֵ֣שׁ it then there shall be
Strong's: H3426
Word #: 7 of 11
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
אַחֲרִ֑ית a reward H319
אַחֲרִ֑ית a reward
Strong's: H319
Word #: 8 of 11
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
וְ֝תִקְוָתְךָ֗ and thy expectation H8615
וְ֝תִקְוָתְךָ֗ and thy expectation
Strong's: H8615
Word #: 9 of 11
literally a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִכָּרֵֽת׃ shall not be cut off H3772
תִכָּרֵֽת׃ shall not be cut off
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 11 of 11
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

Analysis & Commentary

'So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul'—like honey's sweetness (v. 13), wisdom delights and nourishes the soul. Finding wisdom brings threefold benefit: present delight, certain hope ('there is an end'), and unfailing expectation. The 'end' (Hebrew 'acharith') means future or outcome—wisdom leads to good endings. Your 'expectation shall not be cut off'—hope will be fulfilled, not disappointed. This promises that pursuing wisdom pays off both temporally and eternally. Wisdom's path may be difficult but its destination is sure. By contrast, folly's path may seem pleasant but ends in death. Choose wisdom despite present costs; your hope will not prove vain. God rewards those who diligently seek Him.

Historical Context

Israel's covenant promises linked obedience to blessing and disobedience to curse. While gospel fulfills this through Christ, the principle remains: wisdom leads to life; folly leads to death.

Questions for Reflection