18:15
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
15a
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,
15b and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
In Hebrew, verse 18:15a is identical to 15:14a, except that 15:14a has the verb “seeks” instead of “acquires.” (See the note there.) Verse 18:15b is literally “the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” All three lines express the same truth: A discerning/wise person keeps wanting to gain more knowledge.
18:15a–b
The heart…the ear: In Hebrew, the heart refers primarily to the mind and intellect, though it also includes the emotions. See the note on 10:20b.
In this verse, heart and ear are figures of speech. In these figures of speech, a part of the body represents the entire person. A discerning or wise person uses his abilities to think and to hear in his search for more knowledge.
discerning: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as discerning refers to someone who is perceptive, intelligent or sensible. Such a person has the ability to understand ideas and is able to distinguish right from wrong.
acquires…seeks: In Hebrew, the form of these two verbs indicates continual or ongoing action.
wise: The word wise refers here to a person who is skilled in doing what is right.
Some ways to translate 18:15a–b are:
15a Intelligent people are always ready to learn. 15b Their ears are open for knowledge. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
15a The mind of a person with understanding gets knowledge; 15b the wise person listens to learn more. (New Century Version)
General Comment on 18:15a–b
In some languages, it may be more natural and effective to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts. For example:
Intelligent people are always eager and ready to learn. (Good News Translation)
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