Translation commentary on Proverbs 23:12

“Apply your mind to instruction”: “Apply your mind” is literally “bring your heart,” where “heart” is the center of thought and commitment; see the comments at 22.17. Scott renders this expression as “submit your mind”; having in mind what follows, Contemporary English Version says “Listen to. . .” and Good News Translation “Pay attention to. . ..” The term “instruction” is frequently linked with “wisdom” in Proverbs; see, for instance, 1.2, 7; 15.33; and 23.23. Its basic meaning is “discipline” or “correction”; see the comments at 1.2.

“And your ear to words of knowledge”: There is no verb in this line, so the verb from the previous line, “Apply”, is understood here also. To “apply your ear to” means to “listen to” or “pay attention to.” For “knowledge” see 1.4. New Jerusalem Bible understands “words of knowledge” to refer to “instructive sayings,” but most other versions take it more generally as words spoken by a teacher of wisdom. Contemporary English Version renders the whole line as “and do your best to learn”; see also Good News Translation.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

complete verse (Proverbs 23:12)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 23:12:

  • Kupsabiny: “You should memorize what you are taught and listen to words of wisdom.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “What commands you have been given,
    listen [to them]!
    Give your ear to words of insight.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (sing.)] listen if your (sing.) behavior is being-straightened so-that you (sing.) can-learn.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Listen (sing.) to advice and put-forth your (sing.) ability to learn.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 23:12

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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