Paragraph 23:12 Saying 11
23:12
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
12a Apply your heart to instruction
12b and your ears to words of knowledge.
There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted word) in 23:12b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the verb “apply” from 23:12a. For example:
12b and ⌊apply⌋ your ears to words of knowledge.
This verse serves as an introduction to the rest of the sayings in Section 22:17–24:22. It exhorts the listener (the “son” of 23:15) to pay close attention to the instruction that follows. This introduction is similar to 22:17, which introduces the entire section. It also uses the terms “heart” and “ears,” but the expressions used here are different.
23:12a
Apply your heart to instruction: In Hebrew, this command is literally “Bring your heart to instruction.” The verb “bring” is different from the verb used in 22:17b, but it has the same meaning. The Berean Standard Bible translates both Hebrew verbs the same way.
It means that the listener should carefully think about what the teacher instructs him to do. It implies that the listener intends to obey what he hears and understands. See the notes on 22:17b, including the note on “mind,” for more information.
instruction: In Hebrew, this word refers to moral instruction or training. In this context, it probably refers to the advice that the teacher is about to give.
23:12b
and your ears to words of knowledge: The command that is literally (in Hebrew) to “bring your ears” has the same meaning as “turn your ears” in 22:17a. See the notes and translation advice there.
words of knowledge: This phrase refers to what the teacher knows and is going to teach. It has the same meaning as the phrase “my knowledge” in 22:17b. See the notes there.
General Comment on 23:12a–b
In some languages, it may be more natural to put 23:12b before 23:12a. For example:
Pay attention to your teacher and learn all you can. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Listen to instruction and do your best to learn. (Contemporary English Version)
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