Proverbs 20:12

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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the Lord.

Context of Proverbs 20:12

10Differing weights and differing measures— the Lord detests them both. 11Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright? Ears that hear and eyes that see— the Lord has made them both. 13Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. 14“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer— then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

Proverbs 20:12 word by word

אֹ֣זֶן שֹׁ֭מַעַת וְעַ֣יִן רֹאָ֑ה יְ֝הוָ֗ה עָשָׂ֥ה גַם־שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The hearingשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• earאֹ֫זֶן'ôzen · earH241
• and the seeingרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
• eyeעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5869
• the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• hath madeעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to makeH6213
• even bothשְׁנַ֫יִםshenayim shettayim · twoH8147

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:12

• Exodus 4:11The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
• Psalms 94:9Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?
• Psalms 119:18Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
• Matthew 13:13This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
• Acts 26:18to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
• Ephesians 1:17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him 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

• Conscience
• God

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Counsel
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait
• Proverb

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