Proverbs 23:12

Proverbs 23:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
• New International Version (NIV)Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge.

Context of Proverbs 23:12

10Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, 11for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you. Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. 13Do not withhold discipline from a child; although you strike him with a rod, he will not die. 14Strike him with a rod, and you will deliver his soul from Sheol.

Proverbs 23:12 word by word

הָבִ֣יאָה לַמּוּסָ֣ר לִבֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝אָזְנֶ֗ךָ לְאִמְרֵי־דָֽעַת׃Read the interlinear

• Applyבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): bringH935
• your heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• to instructionמוּסָרmûsâr · discipline: instructionH4148
• and your earsאֹ֫זֶן'ôzen · earH241
• to wordsאֵמֶר'êmer · wordH561
• of knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847

Cross-references for Proverbs 23:12

• Proverbs 23:19Listen, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart on the right course.
• Proverbs 2:2if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding,
• Proverbs 5:1My son, pay attention to my wisdom; incline your ear to my insight,
• Proverbs 22:17Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise— apply your mind to my knowledge—
• Ezekiel 33:31So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
• Matthew 13:52Then He told them, “For this reason, every scribe who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
• James 1:21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

Commentaries on Proverbs 23:12

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-16Verses 12-16 Here is a parent instructing his child to give his mind to the Scriptures. Here is a parent correcting his child: accompanied with prayer, and blessed of God, it may prove a means of preventing his destruction. Here is a parent encouraging his child, telling him what would be for his good. And what a comfort it would be, if herein he answered his expectation!Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Saying 11: Listen carefully: Learning helps you improve (see Proverbs 10:17; 13:1, 10; 15:24, 31–32; 17:10; 19:24).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Here begins another series of precepts.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 23:12

• Instruction
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Clothe
• Correction
• Dainty
• Desirous
• Drunkard
• Poverty
• Riotous
• Sell
• Wine
• Apply

Commentaries on Proverbs 23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings