24. Riches. Apparently more than material riches are meant here, for the wise are often comparatively poor. However, the wise do handle the means they have in a way that brings honor to their name, and they possess spiritual and intellectual riches as well.
Foolishness. ’iwweleth. This same word is translated “folly” later in this verse. ’Iwweleth comes from the root ’ul, which means (1) “to be foolish,” (2) “to be strong,” “to be elevated.” It has been suggested that Solomon was using a play on words, as was common in ancient times, and that the first occurrence of ’iwweleth is derived from meaning (1) and the second occurrence from meaning (2). Such a derivation could yield the following meaning of the proverb: “While the use made by the wise of their wealth is an ornament to them, the elevation of fools, so far from honoring them, serves only to reveal their foolishness.” However, the interpretation is conjectural. Though the two meanings of the root can be demonstrated, no derivation of the root spelled as in the text, and meaning “elevation,” can be found.