Proverbs 28:9

¶ He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination.

He that turneth away {H5493} his ear {H241} from hearing {H8085} the law {H8451}, even his prayer {H8605} shall be abomination {H8441}.

If a person will not listen to Torah, even his prayer is an abomination.

Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.

Proverbs 28:9 delivers a profound warning about the nature of acceptable worship and the crucial link between obedience and prayer. It states that someone who deliberately ignores or rejects God's revealed will cannot expect their prayers to be heard; instead, they are considered an "abomination" to the Lord.

Context

The book of Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Old Testament, offering practical and moral instruction for living a righteous life according to God's principles. Throughout Proverbs, there's a consistent emphasis on the contrast between the wise (who heed God's instruction) and the foolish (who reject it). "The law" (Hebrew: Torah) in this context refers to God's divine instruction, His commandments, and the covenant principles given to Israel. It's not merely a set of rules, but the foundation for a life lived in right relationship with God.

Key Themes

  • Obedience as a Prerequisite for Acceptable Prayer: This verse starkly highlights that true communion with God is deeply intertwined with a willingness to listen to and obey His commands. It's not about earning salvation, but about the heart's posture of submission and sincerity.
  • The Seriousness of Deliberate Disobedience: "Turning away his ear from hearing the law" implies an intentional, willful rejection of God's truth, rather than mere ignorance. Such a stance makes even outwardly religious acts, like prayer, detestable to a holy God. This concept is echoed in Isaiah 1:15, where God declares He will hide His eyes from those whose hands are full of blood, despite their many prayers.
  • Sincerity and Hypocrisy: God looks beyond mere ritual to the heart's condition. A prayer offered without a genuine desire to align one's life with God's will is empty and offensive to Him. This challenges the notion that prayer is a magical formula, emphasizing instead the necessity of a repentant and obedient spirit.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "law" is Torah (תּוֹרָה), which broadly means "instruction" or "teaching." It encompasses the entirety of God's revealed will and guidance for His people. The term "abomination" is to'evah (תּוֹעֵבָה), a strong word used throughout the Old Testament for things that are utterly detestable or repugnant to God, often associated with idolatry, moral perversion, or practices that violate His holy character. Its use here underscores the severity of willful disobedience.

Related Scriptures

The principle that God hears the obedient and righteous, but not the willfully disobedient, is a consistent theme in Scripture. For instance, John 9:31 states, "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth." Similarly, the Psalmist declares, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18). For a broader understanding of the blessings associated with heeding God's commands, one might explore Deuteronomy 28:1 and its subsequent verses.

Practical Application

Proverbs 28:9 serves as a crucial reminder for believers today. It challenges us to examine our hearts: Is our prayer life accompanied by a genuine desire to understand and obey God's Word? This verse emphasizes that true worship and effective prayer flow from a life submitted to God's authority and a willingness to align our actions with His truth. It encourages us to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22), ensuring that our devotion is sincere and our lives reflect the God we claim to serve.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 66:18

    If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:

  • 2 Timothy 4:3

    For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

  • 2 Timothy 4:4

    And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

  • Isaiah 1:15

    And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

  • Isaiah 1:16

    ¶ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

  • Zechariah 7:11

    But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.

  • Zechariah 7:13

    Therefore it is come to pass, [that] as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:

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