Proverbs 2:2
Proverbs 2:2 in Multiple Translations
if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding,
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thy heart to understanding;
So that your ear gives attention to wisdom, and your heart is turned to knowledge;
if you pay attention to wisdom and really try to understand;
And cause thine eares to hearken vnto wisdome, and encline thine heart to vnderstanding,
To cause thine ear to attend to wisdom, Thou inclinest thy heart to understanding,
so as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;
So that thou incline thy ear to wisdom, and apply thy heart to understanding;
That thy ear may hearken to wisdom: Incline thy heart to know prudence:
Pay attention to wisdom and try hard to understand it.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 2:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 2:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לְ/הַקְשִׁ֣יב
לַֽ/חָכְמָ֣ה
אָזְנֶ֑/ךָ
תַּטֶּ֥ה
לִ֝בְּ/ךָ֗
לַ/תְּבוּנָֽה
לְ/הַקְשִׁ֣יב
qâshab
H7181
to listen
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
לַֽ/חָכְמָ֣ה
chokmâh
H2451
wisdom
Prep | N-fs
אָזְנֶ֑/ךָ
ʼôzen
H241
ear
N-fs | Suff
תַּטֶּ֥ה
nâṭâh
H5186
to stretch
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms
לִ֝בְּ/ךָ֗
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms | Suff
לַ/תְּבוּנָֽה
tâbûwn
H8394
understanding
Prep | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 2:2
לְ/הַקְשִׁ֣יב
qâshab
H7181
"to listen"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
To listen carefully is what this Hebrew word means, like pricking up your ears to hear something. It's used in many Bible verses, including Proverbs and Isaiah, to encourage people to pay attention. The KJV translates it as 'attend' or 'hear'.
Definition: 1) to hear, be attentive, heed, incline (of ears), attend (of ears), hearken, pay attention, listen 1a) (Qal) incline, attend (of ears), hearken, pay attention, listen 1b) (Hiphil) to pay attention, give attention
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: attend, (cause to) hear(-ken), give heed, incline, mark (well), regard. See also: 1 Samuel 15:22; Song of Solomon 8:13; Psalms 5:3.
לַֽ/חָכְמָ֣ה
chokmâh
H2451
"wisdom"
Prep | N-fs
Wisdom refers to skill, prudence, or good judgment in areas like war, administration, or religion, as seen in the book of Proverbs.
Definition: 1) wisdom 1a) skill (in war) 1b) wisdom (in administration) 1c) shrewdness, wisdom 1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs) 1e) wisdom (ethical and religious)
Usage: Occurs in 141 OT verses. KJV: skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit. See also: Exodus 28:3; Proverbs 5:1; Psalms 37:30.
אָזְנֶ֑/ךָ
ʼôzen
H241
"ear"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for ear, referring to the body part or the ability to hear, is used in various contexts, including listening to God's voice in Psalm 40:6. It can also mean to uncover or reveal something, as in 1 Samuel 20:2.
Definition: : ear 1) ear, as part of the body 2) ear, as organ of hearing 3) (subjective) to uncover the ear to reveal; the receiver of divine revelation
Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease, ear, hearing, [phrase] show. See also: Genesis 20:8; Psalms 40:7; Psalms 10:17.
תַּטֶּ֥ה
nâṭâh
H5186
"to stretch"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms
To stretch or spread out, often used to describe physical movement, but also moral deflection, as seen in the story of Israel's decline in the book of Judges.
Definition: 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away
Usage: Occurs in 207 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. See also: Genesis 12:8; Psalms 31:3; Psalms 17:6.
לִ֝בְּ/ךָ֗
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
לַ/תְּבוּנָֽה
tâbûwn
H8394
"understanding"
Prep | N-fs
Tabún means understanding or intelligence, implying skill or insight. It is translated as discretion, reason, or wisdom in the KJV Bible, referring to the act or faculty of understanding.
Definition: 1) understanding, intelligence 1a) the act of understanding 1a1) skill 1b) the faculty of understanding 1b1) intelligence, understanding, insight 1c) the object of knowledge 1d) teacher (personification)
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: discretion, reason, skilfulness, understanding, wisdom. See also: Exodus 31:3; Proverbs 8:1; Psalms 49:4.
Study Notes — Proverbs 2:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 2:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 2:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 2:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 2:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 2:2
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 2:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 2:2
- Sermons on Proverbs 2:2
Context — The Benefits of Wisdom
1My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,
2if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding,
3if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, 4if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 23:12 | Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. |
| 2 | Proverbs 18:1 | He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. |
| 3 | Psalms 119:111–112 | Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes, even to the very end. |
| 4 | Psalms 90:12 | So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom. |
| 5 | Matthew 13:9 | He who has ears, let him hear.” |
| 6 | Proverbs 22:17–21 | Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise— apply your mind to my knowledge— for it is pleasing when you keep them within you and they are constantly on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you. Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge, to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you? |
| 7 | 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. |
| 8 | Isaiah 55:3 | Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant— My loving devotion promised to David. |
| 9 | Acts 17:11 | Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. |
| 10 | 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. |
Proverbs 2:2 Summary
This verse is saying that if we want to gain wisdom and understanding, we need to be intentional about listening and learning. It's like tuning into a radio station - we need to adjust our ears to hear the right frequency. By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of God's ways and live a more fulfilling life, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11. As we seek wisdom and understanding, we can trust that God will guide us and give us the discernment we need, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to incline my ear to wisdom?
Inclining your ear to wisdom means to listen carefully and attentively to wise counsel, as Solomon exhorts in Proverbs 1:7, and to be receptive to learning and growth, as seen in Psalms 119:66.
How can I direct my heart to understanding?
Directing your heart to understanding involves a deliberate choice to focus your mind and emotions on seeking knowledge and discernment, as encouraged in Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 1:9-10.
Is this verse only for young people, like the son being addressed?
Although the verse is addressed to a son, the principles of inclining one's ear to wisdom and directing one's heart to understanding are applicable to people of all ages, as seen in Psalm 92:12-14, where the righteous are said to flourish even in old age.
What is the relationship between wisdom and understanding in this verse?
In this verse, wisdom and understanding are closely linked, with wisdom referring to the acquisition of knowledge and understanding referring to the ability to apply that knowledge in a discerning way, as seen in Proverbs 9:10, where the fear of the Lord is said to be the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can practically incline my ear to wisdom in my daily life?
- How can I balance the desire for knowledge with the need for discernment and understanding?
- In what areas of my life do I need to direct my heart to understanding, and how can I do that?
- What are some potential consequences of not inclining my ear to wisdom and directing my heart to understanding?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 2:2
So that thou incline thine ear unto Wisdom,.... Hearken to Wisdom, that is, Christ; or rather to the instruction of Wisdom, which is the Gospel; so called, because it is the produce of divine wisdom,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 2:2
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, (and) apply thine heart to understanding.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 2:2
Give thyself to the study of it with affection and diligence.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 2:2
Proverbs 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, [and] apply thine heart to understanding;Ver. 2. So that thou incline thine ear.] Lie low at God’ s feet, and say, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." His saints "sit down at his feet, every one to receive his word." They are compared to "a garden of cucumbers," which, when ripe, lie on the ground. Surely, as waters meet and rest in low valleys, so do God’ s graces in lowly hearts. And apply thine heart.] Attention of body, intention of mind, and retention of memory, are indispensably desired of all wisdom’ s scholars; such as King Edward VI, who constantly stood up at the hearing of the word, took notes, which he afterwards diligently perused, and wrought the sermon upon his affections by meditation. Acts and Mon.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 2:2
2. thine heart] For the wide meaning of this word in Holy Scripture see Delitzsch, Biblical Psychology, Section xii:—“According to thorough investigation and evidence of Scripture in all its parts, the heart is the internal centre of the natural condition of man, in which the threefold life of man blends together.” “It is the centre of the bodily life,” “of the spiritual psychical life” (including “will and desire,” “thought and conception”), and of “the moral life.”
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 2:2
2. Incline thine ear — Literally, point or sharpen the ear to wisdom; a figure drawn from such animals as turn the point of the external ear in the direction of the sound.
Sermons on Proverbs 2:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Are You Walking the Walk or Talking the Walk - Part 3 by Will Graham | This sermon emphasizes the importance of true humility and repentance before God, contrasting it with a self-centered mentality and the danger of a mere 'mouth religion' without ge |
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The Importance of Friendship by David Hocking | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about his son getting stuck in an irrigation ditch and needing help to get out. From this experience, he emphasizes the importan |
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Sola Scriptura 2 by Anton Bosch | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding that God operates by order and structure. He uses the example of the law of gravity to illustrate that just |
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The Sovereignty of God #1 by Ernest C. Reisinger | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the symbolic meaning of floods, waters, and waves in relation to power. He emphasizes that these forces are opposite to the power of the Lord, |
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Not Separated From Service by Mary Wilder Tileston | Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of treasuring God's testimonies as a heritage, bringing joy to the heart. She encourages staying close to the Lord to avoid anything |
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Books I Recommend With Comments - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his past sins and the transformation he experienced when he realized his own depravity. He mentions going to jail multiple times and living |
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God's Bloodhound by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the speaker discusses their plan to distribute 50 sets of 70-hour tapes throughout America to help train young preachers. They express gratitude for the person fina |