Bible Strands
Proverbs 22:17
Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—apply your mind to my knowledge—
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The speaker addresses a student directly, issuing a preparatory call to attention that bridges the warning in Proverbs 22:16 and the retention instruction in Proverbs 22:18.
The words — הַט (hat) means "incline" and אָזְנְךָ ('azneka) means "your ear," forming the command "incline your ear." לִבְּךָ (libbekha) means "your heart" and תָּשִׁית (tasit) means "you will set," yielding the parallel command "set your heart."
The thread — The ear-and-heart orientation appears in Proverbs 2:2 and Proverbs 23:12, while Psalm 90:12 parallels only the heart-focused request to pursue wisdom.
Why it lands — The text commands deliberate attention and mental placement of instruction before retention. Readers must actively focus their hearing and understanding to internalize the teaching.
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
Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
Cross-references
- Psalms 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.
- Proverbs 23:12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
- Proverbs 2:2 if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding,
- Proverbs 3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
- Ecclesiastes 7:25 I directed my mind to understand, to explore, to search out wisdom and explanations, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the folly of madness.
- Proverbs 1:3 and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity.
- Matthew 17:5 While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
- Proverbs 5:1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; incline your ear to my insight,
- Proverbs 8:33 Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
- Ecclesiastes 8:9 All this I have seen, applying my mind to every deed that is done under the sun; there is a time when one man lords it over another to his own detriment.