Bible Strands
Proverbs 18:15
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author addresses a general audience within a collection of moral instructions, placing this verse between a warning about emotional resilience and a practical observation about social advantage.
The words — לֵ֣ב (lev) translates literally as heart, and יִקְנֶה (yikneh) means acquires or purchases.
The thread — This theme of active pursuit appears in Proverbs 15:14, which contrasts the discerning heart with the fool’s mouth, and Proverbs 1:5, which calls the wise to gain instruction. The New Testament echoes this imperative in James 1:5 by directing those lacking wisdom to ask God for it.
Why it lands — The text defines discernment and wisdom not as static traits but as active disciplines that require deliberate effort to obtain knowledge.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Cross-references
- James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
- Proverbs 15:14 A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
- Proverbs 1:5 let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel
- Proverbs 9:9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
- Luke 10:39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message.
- 1 Kings 3:9 Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
- Psalms 119:97 Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation.
- Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.
- Proverbs 23:23 Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding.
- Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them.