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.
• 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

10False weights and unequal measures— the Lord detests double standards of every kind. 11Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right. Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the Lord. 13If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat! 14The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain!

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 4:11Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?
• Psalms 94:9Is he deaf—the one who made your ears? Is he blind—the one who formed your eyes?
• Psalms 119:18Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.
• Matthew 13:13That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.
• Acts 26:18to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’
• Ephesians 1:17asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

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