Proverbs 23:5

Verse

When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

American Standard Version (1901)

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.

Bible in Basic English

Are your eyes lifted up to it? it is gone: for wealth takes to itself wings, like an eagle in flight up to heaven.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Lift not up thy eyes to riches which thou canst not have: because they shall make themselves wings like those of an eagle, and shall fly towards heaven.

Free Bible Version

It disappears in the blink of an eye, suddenly growing wings and flying off into the sky like an eagle.

Geneva Bible 1599

Wilt thou cast thine eyes vpon it, which is nothing? for riches taketh her to her wings, as an eagle, and flyeth into the heauen.

King James (Authorized) Version

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

One Unity Resource Bible

Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.

Translation for Translators

because as soon as you look [MTY] at all the money that you have acquired, it will be gone; it will disappear as if it suddenly grew wings [SIM] and flew up into the sky like an eagle.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Will you let your eyes light upon it? It will be gone, for it will surely take up wings like an eagle and fly off to the sky.

Noah Webster Bible

Wilt thou set thy eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make to themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle towards heaven.

World English Bible

Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.

Young's Literal Translation

For wealth maketh to itself wings, As an eagle it flieth to the heavens.

Context

Saying 8

⁴Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. ⁵When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

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Summary

Proverbs 23:5 warns against the deceitfulness of wealth, cautioning that riches are temporary and can disappear suddenly. The verse advises not to set one's heart on accumulating material possessions, as they can vanish like an eagle flying away. This serves as a reminder to prioritize eternal values and not be consumed by the pursuit of earthly treasures, which are fleeting and unreliable. It encourages a focus on spiritual wealth and contentment rather than being solely preoccupied with material gain. Ultimately, the verse underscores the importance of placing trust in God rather than in worldly possessions.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Wilt . . . eyes--As the eyes fly after or seek riches, they are not, that is, either become transitory or unsatisfying; fully expressed by their flying away.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?.... The Vulgate Latin version is, "do not lift up thine eyes to riches which thou canst not have;'' riches no doubt are intended, and which may be said to be "not"; they are not the true riches, have only the shadow and appearance of riches; they are not lasting and durable; in a little time they will not be; they are perishing things, they have no substance or solidity in them; they are not satisfying; they do not make them happy; they are rather nonentities than realities; and therefore the eyes of the mind and the affections of the heart should not be set on them: it may be rendered, "wilt thou cause thine eyes to fly upon that which is not?" (w) denoting the intenseness of the mind, and the eagerness of the affections, and with what rapidity and force they move towards them. The Targum is, "if thou fixest thine eyes on him, he shall not appear to thee;'' meaning the rich man: and so the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions. Ben Melech makes mention of other senses very different; according to R. Judah, the word signifies darkness, "wilt thou make thine eyes dark?" two according to others, signifies light, "wilt thou make thine eyes to shine?" and, according to Jarchi, "wilt thou double?", or shut thine eyes? for riches certainly make themselves wings; or, "it in making makes itself wings" (x); even that which is not, on which men cause their eyes to fly; no sooner are their eyes upon that, but that flies away from them like a bird with wings; see Hos 9:11. Either men are taken from that, or that from them, and sometimes very swiftly and suddenly; they fly away as an eagle towards heaven; the eagle flies very swiftly, none more swiftly; it flies towards heaven, out of sight, and out of reach, and out of call; so riches flee away to God, the original giver of them, from whence they came, and who is the sole disposer of them; they own him as the proprietor and distributor of them; and they flee to heaven as it were for fresh orders where they should be, and into whose hands they should come next; they flee away, so as not to be seen any more, and be recovered by those who have formerly enjoyed them. (w) "numquid involare facies", Michaelis; "ut involent", Junius & Tremellius; "ut volent", Piscator; "ad sineves volare", Cocceius. (x) "quis faciendo faciet", Montanus, Baynus.

Proverbs 23:5

Saying 8

⁴Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. ⁵When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

American Standard Version (1901)

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.

Bible in Basic English

Are your eyes lifted up to it? it is gone: for wealth takes to itself wings, like an eagle in flight up to heaven.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Lift not up thy eyes to riches which thou canst not have: because they shall make themselves wings like those of an eagle, and shall fly towards heaven.

Free Bible Version

It disappears in the blink of an eye, suddenly growing wings and flying off into the sky like an eagle.

Geneva Bible 1599

Wilt thou cast thine eyes vpon it, which is nothing? for riches taketh her to her wings, as an eagle, and flyeth into the heauen.

King James (Authorized) Version

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

One Unity Resource Bible

Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.

Translation for Translators

because as soon as you look [MTY] at all the money that you have acquired, it will be gone; it will disappear as if it suddenly grew wings [SIM] and flew up into the sky like an eagle.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Will you let your eyes light upon it? It will be gone, for it will surely take up wings like an eagle and fly off to the sky.

Noah Webster Bible

Wilt thou set thy eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make to themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle towards heaven.

World English Bible

Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.

Young's Literal Translation

For wealth maketh to itself wings, As an eagle it flieth to the heavens.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Wilt . . . eyes--As the eyes fly after or seek riches, they are not, that is, either become transitory or unsatisfying; fully expressed by their flying away.

John Gill Bible Commentary