God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 20:12
12The ear that hears, the eye that sees— the Lord made them both.
Proverbs 20:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them.
- New International Version (NIV)Ears that hear and eyes that see— the Lord has made them both.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The Lord has made them both.
Context of Proverbs 20:12
10A double standard of weights and measures— both are disgusting to the Lord. 11Even a child makes himself known by his actions, whether his deeds are pure or right. The ear that hears, the eye that sees— the Lord made them both. 13Do not love sleep or you will end up poor. Keep your eyes open, and you will have plenty to eat. 14“Bad! Bad!” says the buyer. Then, as he goes away, he brags ⌞about his bargain⌟.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:12 word by word
אֹ֣זֶן שֹׁ֭מַעַת וְעַ֣יִן רֹאָ֑ה יְ֝הוָ֗ה עָשָׂ֥ה גַם־שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 20:12
- Exodus 4:11The Lord asked him, “Who gave humans their mouths? Who makes humans unable to talk or hear? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? It is I, the Lord!
- Psalms 94:9God created ears. Do you think he can’t hear? He formed eyes. Do you think he can’t see?
- Psalms 119:18Uncover my eyes so that I may see the miraculous things in your teachings.
- Matthew 13:13This is why I speak to them this way. They see, but they’re blind. They hear, but they don’t listen. They don’t even try to understand.
- Acts 26:18You will open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from Satan’s control to God’s. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and a share among God’s people who are made holy by believing in me.’
- Ephesians 1:17I pray that the glorious Father, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Christ better.
Commentaries on Proverbs 20:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12The hearing ear and the seeing eye - Every good we possess comes from God; and we should neither use our eyes, nor our ears, nor any thing we possess, but in strict subserviency to his will.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Not only do we owe the gifts of sight and hearing to Yahweh, but He, being the giver, will also call us to account for them (compare Psalm 94:9).Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12Verse 12 All our powers and faculties are from God, and are to be employed for him.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12The ability to watch and learn from experience is a special gift.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Hence, of course, God will know all you do (Psa 94:9).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 20:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 20
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries