Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
Will you set your heart on things that don't last? Wealth will surely grow wings and fly away like an eagle soaring toward the sky.
The writer is warning that wealth is temporary and unreliable - it can disappear as quickly as a bird taking flight.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb comes from a collection of wise sayings attributed to King Solomon, written around 950 BC during Israel's golden age of prosperity. In ancient times, wealth was often measured in livestock, precious metals, and land, all of which could be lost through war, natural disasters, or economic upheaval. The imagery of an eagle flying away would have been particularly vivid to people who regularly observed these powerful birds soaring beyond reach.
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