PROV 22:17 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Listen carefully to what wise people have said.
⇔ ≈ Set your mind to apply what I’m teaching you

Key: khaki:verbs.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX Λόγοις σοφῶν παράβαλλε σὸν οὖς, καὶ ἄκουε ἐμὸν λόγον, τὴν δὲ σὴν καρδίαν ἐπίστησον, ἵνα γνῷς ὅτι καλοί εἰσι·
(Logois sofōn paraballe son ous, kai akoue emon logon, taʸn de saʸn kardian epistaʸson, hina gnōis hoti kaloi eisi; )

BrTr Incline thine ear to the words of wise men: hear also my word, and apply thine heart,

ULT Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise ones,
⇔ and you must set your heart to my knowledge!

UST ⇔ Listen carefully to what wise people have said;
⇔ consider carefully what I am teaching you!

OEB No OEB PROV book available

WEBBE ⇔ Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise.
⇔ Apply your heart to my teaching.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise,
⇔ and apply your heart to my instruction.

LSV Incline your ear, and hear words of the wise,
And set your heart to my knowledge,

FBV Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and think carefully about my teachings—

T4T ⇔ Now listen [MTY] to what wise people have said;
⇔ think carefully about what I am teaching you.

LEB • Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise; you shall apply your heart[fn] to my teaching.

22:? Or “mind”

BBE Let your ear be bent down for hearing my words, and let your heart give thought to knowledge.

Moff Bend your ear, listen to wise words,
⇔ study to understand their charm;

JPS Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.

ASV ⇔ Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise,
⇔ And apply thy heart unto my knowledge.

DRA Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and apply thy heart to my doctrine:

YLT Incline thine ear, and hear words of the wise, And thy heart set to my knowledge,

Drby Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart unto my knowledge.

RV Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
(Incline thine/your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine/your heart unto my knowledge. )

SLT Incline thine ear and hear the words of the wise, and thou shalt set thy heart to my knowledge.

Wbstr Bow down thy ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thy heart to my knowledge.

KJB-1769 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
(Bow down thine/your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine/your heart unto my knowledge. )

KJB-1611 Bow downe thine eare, and heare the words of the wise, and apply thine heart vnto my knowledge.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above)

Bshps Bowe downe thyne eare, and heare the wordes of the wise: applie thy mind vnto my doctrine:
(Bow down thine/your ear, and hear the words of the wise: apply thy/your mind unto my doctrine:)

Gnva Incline thine eare, and heare the wordes of the wise, and apply thine heart vnto my knowledge.
(Incline thine/your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine/your heart unto my knowledge. )

Cvdl My sonne, bowe downe thine eare, and herken vnto the wordes of wy?dome, applye yi mynde vnto my doctryne:
(My son, bow down thine/your ear, and hearken unto the words of wisdom, apply ye/you_all mind unto my doctrine:)

Wycl My sone, bowe doun thin eere, and here thou the wordis of wise men; but sette thou the herte to my techyng.
(My son, bow down thin ear, and here thou/you the words of wise men; but set thou/you the heart to my teaching.)

Luth Neige deine Ohren und höre die Worte der Weisen und nimm zu Herzen meine Lehre.
(Lean your ears and listen the words the/of_the ways/manners and take to/for heart(s) my teaching.)

ClVg [Inclina aurem tuam, et audi verba sapientium: appone autem cor ad doctrinam meam,
([Lean ear your(sg), and listen words wise: appone however heart to teaching of_mine, )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 22:17–24:22: Here are thirty sayings of wise people

This section follows the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs (10:1–22:16). It differs in significant ways from this preceding section:These differences were summarized from a number of commentaries, including UBS (page 472), Waltke (2004, page 22), and Hubbard (page 351).

The preceding section has mostly two-line proverbs that are one verse in length. This section has proverbs of a different form. They are sayings that range from one to seven verses. Most of the sayings are two or three verses in length. Each saying will be marked as a separate paragraph in the Notes.
Many of the proverbs in the preceding section express a general principle. They are not addressed specifically to the readers. Most of the sayings here contain direct commands. They advise the reader or listener either to follow wise behavior or avoid foolish behavior. Most of the sayings also give a reason or motive for following the command.
As in chapters 1–9, the author addresses his reader or listener as a father who advises his son. He uses second person commands and pronouns (you^(sing)). See the note on 23:15 for a list of verses where the words “my son” occur.

Some other headings for this section are:

Thirty Wise Sayings (CEV)

Words of the Wise (ESV)

Thirty Sayings of the Wise (NIV11)

Verse 22:20 mentions “thirty sayings,” but the Hebrew text itself does not number the sayings. Some versions that use the word “thirty” in the section heading also give a number as a separate heading for each saying. The GNT and CEV start numbering the sayings at 22:22. They have a total of thirty-one paragraphs. In these versions, the first paragraph (22:17–21) serves as an introduction to the thirty sayings (22:22–24:22).Scholars who identify 22:17–21 as the first saying include Hubbard (page 352), Fox (page 707), and Waltke (2004, page 22). Scholars who identify these verses as an introduction to the sayings that follow include Whybray (page 325) and Murphy (page 170). See also the NET footnote (b) on 22:16. Whether these introductory verses form the first saying or simply introduce the following sayings, all scholars agree that they function as an introduction to the whole section. Other versions, such as the NIV, NCV, and NLT, divide the paragraphs in the same way but do not have separate headings for each section. You may use either option in your translation.The NIV11 gives a number as a separate heading for each saying. But it counts the first paragraph as the first saying, and has a total of thirty paragraphs. Other versions have more or fewer paragraphs. For example, the ESV and NRSV have fifteen paragraphs. The NJB has thirty-four. Still other versions, such as the RSV, NET, and NJPS, do not group the verses into sayings or paragraphs.

For the convenience of those who decide to identify the number of each saying in their translation, the Notes will put the number in the paragraph headings, using the same numbering system as the GNT or CEV. These numbers will not be used in the Display.

Paragraph 22:17–21 Introduction

This paragraph begins with an exhortation to an unnamed person. This person is identified in Hebrew with the masculine singular pronouns “you/your.” The author more specifically identifies him as “my son” in 23:15a and other verses. See point (c) in the preceding section summary. In verses where the author does not identify his “son” explicitly, the notes will refer to his “reader” or “listener,” depending on the context.

In 22:17, the author exhorts the listener to pay careful attention to what he will say. In 22:18, the author then gives the listener a reason for following this exhortation. In 22:19–21 he further describes the nature of the wise sayings as well as his purpose in writing them.Waltke (page 221).

In this paragraph, the Hebrew text uses plural pronouns to refer back to “the words of the wise” in 22:17. For example, “them” is used in 22:18. In some languages, a singular noun, such as “advice” may be used instead of “words.” In such cases, singular pronouns or phrases (for example, “it” or “this advice”) will need to be used to refer back to it. The meaning lines in the Display will give both options when they are relevant.

22:17–18

In Hebrew, these verses mention four organs of the body: the ear, heart, belly, and lips. Together these organs emphasize the entire learning process. The learner listens to the advice, thinks about it, and stores it in his memory. He then tells it to others.Hubbard (page 352), McKane (page 375), Waltke (page 222).

22:17

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^17a Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;

^17b apply your heart to what I teach.

The underlined parallel parts refer to the first two steps in the learning process. The parts in bold print both refer to what the author teaches. The author advises his listener to listen carefully and to think about the wise sayings that he teaches.

22:17a

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise—

¶ Use your^(sing) ears to listen carefully to what wise people advise you to do.
¶ Listen attentively to the words/advice of people who are wise.

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise: There are two ways in this context to interpret the phrase the words of the wise:There is also a potential textual issue here. The Masoretic Text reflects the recommended interpretation and word order. The LXX has “(to the) words of the wise, incline your ear and listen to my word.” Some scholars think that versions such as the NRSV that interpret this initial phrase as a title may have based their decision on the LXX or on a hypothetical change to the LXX. See Waltke (pages 217–218), UBS (page 473), and Fox (pages 707, 1031) for several conflicting points of view in this discussion.

This phrase refers to the teachings of wise people. The author identifies their words as words and commands his listener to Incline your ear to their content. For example:
Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise (ESV) (BSB, CEV, ESV, GW, KJV, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT, REB, RSV, GNT)
This phrase refers to the teachings of wise people. It serves as a title for the rest of the verse. For example:
The words of the wise:
Incline your ear and hear my words (NRSV) (NAB, NRSV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with almost all versions. You may still use a section heading or title, as many of these versions have done.

Incline your ear and hear: In Hebrew, these two commands are literally “Turn your ear and hear.” The first command can describe a person who literally leans or turns toward a speaker so that he can hear more clearly. Here it is probably used figuratively to mean “listen carefully” or “listen obediently.”TWOT (#1352). If there is a natural expression in your language that uses the word “ear” and has the correct meaning, you are encouraged to use it. For example:

Open your ears (GW)

Many English versions translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

Listen carefully (NCV)

The same command also occurs in 4:20b.

the words of the wise: These words or “sayings” are arranged according to different topics.See Whybray (page 325), for an analysis of the “thematically related” admonitions, both positive and negative, that occur from 22:17 through 23:11. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the sayings of the wise (NIV)

some sayings of people with wisdom (CEV)

what wise people say (NCV)

22:17a–b

(combined/reordered)

¶ Use your^(sing) ears and your mind to receive and study what I have learned from other wise people. This good advice is what I am now passing on to you.
¶ Listen carefully to the advice of wise people that I will now teach you and think about what it means.

22:17b

apply your mind to my knowledge—

Direct/Use your^(sing) mind/thoughts to think about the knowledge that I make known to you.
Carefully think about what I teach you^(sing) in order to obey it.

apply your mind to my knowledge: In Hebrew, this command indicates that the listener should direct or focus his thoughts on what his teacher advises. He should carefully think about what the teacher instructs him to do so that he will understand the meaning correctly. It is implied that the listener fully intends to obey what he hears and understands.Waltke (2005, page 222), Hubbard (page 352).

mind: In Hebrew, the word that the BSB translates as mind is literally “heart.” In Hebrew, the word “heart” refers mainly to a person’s mind and intellect, though it also includes the emotions. It refers to his ability to think and make decisions. Other languages may use a different part of the body, such as the mind, liver, or stomach, to refer to these things. In 4:4a, 6:14a, and 10:20b the BSB translated this same word as “heart.” See how you translated this word in those passages.

my knowledge: Here, the phrase my knowledge refers to the things that the speaker knows. He teaches these things to his listener. Some other ways to translate these words are:

what I know (NJB)

my instruction (NET)

the knowledge I give you (GW)

Some other ways to translate this command are:

apply your mind to my knowledge (NASB)

think carefully about what I am teaching you

General Comment on 22:17a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts. For example:

Listen, and I will teach you what the wise have said. Study their teachings (GNT)

Parallel PROV 22:17