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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully 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 Defender 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; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. 14Punish them with the rod and save them from death.

Proverbs 23:12 word by word

הָבִ֣יאָה לַמּוּסָ֣ר לִבֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝אָזְנֶ֗ךָ לְאִמְרֵי־דָֽעַת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

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

Cross-references for Proverbs 23:12

• Proverbs 23:19Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:
• Proverbs 2:2turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—
• Proverbs 5:1My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight,
• Proverbs 22:17Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,
• Ezekiel 33:31My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.
• Matthew 13:52He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
• James 1:21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

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