Proverbs 15:24

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

To the wise the way of life [goeth] upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

אֹ֣רַח חַ֭יִּים לְמַ֣עְלָה לְמַשְׂכִּ֑יל לְמַ֥עַן ס֝֗וּר מִשְּׁא֥וֹל מָֽטָּה׃

Transliteration

ʾōraḥ ḥayyîm ləmaʿlāh ləmaśkîl ləmaʿan sûr miššəʾôl māṭṭāh

Grammar Details

*ʾōraḥ*: noun, masculine singular construct - path of
*ḥayyîm*: noun, masculine plural - life
*ləmaʿlāh*: preposition + noun, feminine singular - upward
*ləmaśkîl*: preposition + hiphil participle, masculine singular - for the prudent
*ləmaʿan*: conjunction - in order that
*sûr*: qal infinitive construct - to turn away/depart
*miššəʾôl*: preposition + noun, proper feminine - from Sheol
*māṭṭāh*: adverb - downward/below

Word Meanings

*ʾōraḥ ḥayyîm*: path of life/way of living
*ləmaʿlāh ləmaśkîl*: upward for prudent/leads upward for discerning
*ləmaʿan sûr*: in order to turn away/that he might depart
*miššəʾôl māṭṭāh*: from Sheol below/from realm of death beneath

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

🔄 Compare with

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Prov 2:18 : 18 For her house inclineth unto death, And her paths unto the dead;
Phil 3:20 : 20 For our citizenship is in heaven; {G1537} whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Col 3:1-2 : 1 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.
Ps 16:11 : 11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Ps 139:24 : 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Prov 5:5 : 5 Her feet go down to death; Her steps take hold on Sheol;
Prov 6:23 : 23 For the commandment is a lamp; And the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
Prov 7:27 : 27 Her house is the way to Sheol, Going down to the chambers of death.
Prov 9:8 : 8 Reprove not a scoffer, lest he hate thee: Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.
Prov 23:14 : 14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, And shalt deliver his soul from Sheol.
Jer 21:8 : 8 And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
Matt 7:14 : 14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.
John 14:6 : 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Prov 13:14-15
2 verses
79%
14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death.
15Good understanding giveth favor; But the way of the transgressor is hard.
Prov 16:16-17
2 verses
79%
16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
Prov 14:12
78%
12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death.
Prov 16:25
77%
25There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.
Prov 12:28
76%
28In the way of righteousness is life; And in the pathway thereof there is no death.
Prov 15:10-11
2 verses
76%
10There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way; [And] he that hateth reproof shall die.
11Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah: How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
Prov 21:16
76%
16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
Prov 2:18-20
3 verses
74%
18For her house inclineth unto death, And her paths unto the dead;
19None that go unto her return again, Neither do they attain unto the paths of life:
20That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, And keep the paths of the righteous.
Prov 14:8
74%
8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit.
Prov 14:27
74%
27The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death.
Prov 15:21
74%
21Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
Prov 15:31
74%
31The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise.
Prov 16:21-23
3 verses
74%
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is [their] folly.
23The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
Prov 7:27
74%
27Her house is the way to Sheol, Going down to the chambers of death.
Prov 5:5-6
2 verses
73%
5Her feet go down to death; Her steps take hold on Sheol;
6So that she findeth not the level path of life: Her ways are unstable, [and] she knoweth [it] not.
Prov 22:5
73%
5Thorns [and] snares are in the way of the perverse: He that keepeth his soul shall be far from them.
Prov 10:17
73%
17He is in the way of life that heedeth correction; But he that forsaketh reproof erreth.
Prov 9:6
73%
6Leave off, ye simple ones, and live; And walk in the way of understanding.
Prov 12:15
73%
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
Prov 17:24
73%
24Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Eccl 7:4
73%
4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Prov 14:15-16
2 verses
73%
15The simple believeth every word; But the prudent man looketh well to his going.
16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.
Prov 15:23
72%
23A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!
Prov 15:19
72%
19The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is made a highway.
Prov 10:14
72%
14Wise men lay up knowledge; But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.
Prov 1:5
72%
5That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:
Prov 14:32-33
2 verses
72%
32The wicked is thrust down in his evil-doing; But the righteous hath a refuge in his death.
33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But [that which is] in the inward part of fools is made known.
Prov 3:13
72%
13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding.
Prov 23:19
72%
19Hear thou, my son, and be wise, And guide thy heart in the way.
Prov 11:30
72%
30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that is wise winneth souls.
Prov 15:2
72%
2The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
Prov 4:15
72%
15Avoid it, pass not by it; Turn from it, and pass on.
Prov 19:23
72%
23The fear of Jehovah [tendeth] to life; And he [that hath it] shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil.
Job 28:28
72%
28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.
Prov 27:12
71%
12A prudent man seeth the evil, [and] hideth himself; [But] the simple pass on, [and] suffer for it.
Prov 10:9
71%
9He that walketh uprightly walketh surely; But he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
Prov 20:24
71%
24A man's goings are of Jehovah; How then can man understand his way?
Prov 21:22
71%
22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Job 22:15
71%
15Wilt thou keep the old way Which wicked men have trodden?
Prov 19:8
71%
8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: He that keepeth understanding shall find good.