Proverbs 20:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The hearing ear and the seeing eye -ADONAI made them both.

Berean Standard Bible:

Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both.

American Standard Version:

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

The hearing^{H8085} ear^{H241}, and the seeing^{H7200} eye^{H5869}, the LORD^{H3068} hath made^{H6213} even both^{H8147} of them.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Proverbs 20:12

Proverbs 20:12, "The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them," is a succinct verse that emphasizes the divine origin of human sensory capabilities. The historical context of this proverb is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, which often attributed the faculties of perception and understanding to the divine. In the broader context of the Book of Proverbs, this verse reflects the theme that wisdom and understanding are gifts from God, and that the ability to learn and discern is a result of divine creation.

The text speaks to the idea that both the sense of hearing and the sense of sight, which are crucial for receiving and interpreting information about the world, are endowments from the Creator. It suggests that these senses are not merely biological functions but are imbued with a deeper, theological significance. By acknowledging the divine source of these faculties, the verse calls for an attitude of reverence and gratitude towards the ability to perceive and make sense of one's surroundings. It also implies an expectation for their responsible use, as these God-given senses should be employed in the pursuit of wisdom and righteous living.

In summary, Proverbs 20:12 highlights the belief that human senses are a divine blessing, reinforcing the importance of wisdom and understanding as central to a life well-lived according to the teachings found within the Hebrew Bible. It encourages reflection on the origins of human capabilities and the purpose for which they were intended, which is to know and serve the Lord, as understood within the context of Judeo-Christian thought.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
2. Strong's Number: H241
   There are 652 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֹזֶן
   Transliteration: ʼôzen
   Pronunciation: o'-zen
   Description: from אָזַן; broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man); [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease, ear, hearing, [phrase] show.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
   
5. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
7. Strong's Number: H8147
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
   Transliteration: shᵉnayim
   Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
   Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.