New King James Version
Proverbs 25:12
12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.
Proverbs 25:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
- New International Version (NIV)Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
- New Living Translation (NLT)To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
Context of Proverbs 25:12
10Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined. 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear. 13Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters. 14Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain.
Read all of Proverbs 25Proverbs 25:12 word by word
נֶ֣זֶם זָ֭הָב וַחֲלִי־כָ֑תֶם מוֹכִ֥יחַ חָ֝כָ֗ם עַל־אֹ֥זֶן שֹׁמָֽעַת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 25:12
- Job 42:11Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the Lord had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold.
- Proverbs 1:8My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;
- Proverbs 9:8Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
- Proverbs 15:5A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
- Proverbs 27:5Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed.
- 1 Samuel 25:31that this will be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. But when the Lord has dealt well with my lord, then remember your maidservant.”
- Psalms 141:5Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.
Commentaries on Proverbs 25:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12As an ear-ring of gold - I believe נזם nezem to mean the nose-ring with its pendants; the left nostril is pierced, and a ring put through it, as in the ear. This is very common in almost every part of the East, among women of condition. This is a farther illustration of the above metaphor.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12The theme of this proverb being the same as that of Proverbs 25:11, its occurrence suggests the thought that rings used as ornaments for ears, or nose, or forehead, and other trinkets formed part of the works of art spoken of in the foregoing note, and that the king had something at once pointed and wise to say of each of them.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-12Verses 11-12 A word of counsel, or reproof, rightly spoken, is especially beautiful, as fine fruit becomes still more beautiful in silver baskets.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11-12Timely advice and valid criticism are valuable, beautiful, and rare (see also Proverbs 15:23; 26:7, 9). We should welcome them (see Proverbs 10:17; 13:1, 10; 15:24, 31–32; 17:10).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Those who desire to know and do rightly, most highly esteem good counsel (Pr 9:9; 15:31). The listening ear is better than one hung with gold.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 25:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 25
- 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries