Proverbs 2:2 kjv

So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

Proverbs 2:2 nkjv

So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding;

Proverbs 2:2 niv

turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding?

Proverbs 2:2 esv

making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;

Proverbs 2:2 nlt

Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.

Proverbs 2 verses

Proverbs 2 2 Meaning

Proverbs 2:2 presents a foundational directive for acquiring wisdom and understanding. It mandates a twofold action: first, actively making one's ear attentive, which signifies focused and deliberate listening to divine instruction. Second, it calls for inclining one's heart, denoting a deeper internal disposition where one's desires, affections, and will are purposefully aligned towards comprehending and embracing godly insight. This verse teaches that the pursuit of truth is an intentional journey requiring both diligent perception and an earnest commitment of one's inner being.

Proverbs 2 2 Context

Proverbs chapter 2 opens a significant discourse by the "father" (the teacher) to his "son" (the student), outlining the profound benefits of pursuing divine wisdom. Verse 2 functions as the command describing the posture and action required on the part of the seeker to receive wisdom. It follows verse 1, which sets the conditional premise: "If you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you." Therefore, verse 2 immediately details how one is to receive and treasure, emphasizing an active, internal engagement with truth. The subsequent verses (Prov 2:3-5) continue to illustrate the intensified pursuit ("if you call out for insight... if you seek it like silver"), ultimately leading to the "then" clause in Proverbs 2:5-9, where the divine outcome of finding God's knowledge and guidance is promised. Historically and culturally, Israelite education placed high value on oral instruction and internalizing teaching, with the "heart" understood as the center of intellect, will, and emotion, reflecting a holistic view of human commitment.

Proverbs 2 2 Word analysis

• making (לְהַקְשִׁ֥יב - lê·haq·shîv): This infinitive construction means "to cause to listen" or "to incline/pay close attention." It conveys active effort and intentionality. It's not passive hearing, but a deliberate act of focusing one's mind and faculties.

• your ear (אָזְנֶ֑ךָ - o·znê·ḵā): Refers to the physical organ of hearing, but symbolically represents the faculty of perception, mental attention, and readiness to receive external input. It's about being acutely present to what is being said.

• attentive (implied by the verb lê·haq·shîv): The action demands full engagement. This quality of attentiveness is crucial for processing and retaining instructions or knowledge. It suggests a focused, undistracted mindset.

• to wisdom (לַֽחָכְמָ֑ה - la·khāḵ·māh): From the Hebrew Chokmah. This term denotes not merely intellectual knowledge, but practical skill in living righteously, discerning what is good, and making wise choices according to God's standards. It is rooted in divine revelation.

• and inclining (וְתַטֶּ֥ה - wə·taṭ·ṭeh): The conjunction "and" links this action directly to the previous one, emphasizing a dual commitment. The verb Natah means "to stretch out," "to bend," "to direct." It signifies a deliberate act of orienting or directing one's internal self.

• your heart (לִבְּךָ֖ - liḇ·ḵā): From the Hebrew Lev. This is the comprehensive term for the core of a person: intellect, emotions, will, conscience, and moral character. It represents the inner being, not just the physical organ. To incline the heart is to direct one's deepest desires and motivations.

• to understanding (לִתְבוּנָֽה - liṯ·ḇū·nāh): From the Hebrew Tᵊvûnah. This refers to discernment, insight, and the ability to grasp the implications and relationships between facts. It's the capacity to apply wisdom to specific situations, make sound judgments, and distinguish between right and wrong.

• "making your ear attentive": This phrase emphasizes the external posture of receptivity. It's about active listening, the conscious discipline of silencing distractions, and giving one's full auditory and mental focus to the teachings presented. This is the entry point for divine instruction to begin its work.

• "and inclining your heart": This shifts to the internal disposition, indicating that true reception of wisdom goes beyond mere intellectual assent. It requires a deliberate, spiritual act of orienting one's inner being—desires, will, affections—towards understanding and embracing the truth. This willingness transforms knowledge into life-altering insight.

• "wisdom and understanding": These two concepts, often paired, highlight different facets of divine truth. Wisdom (Chokmah) is the practical knowledge of how to live skillfully according to God's will. Understanding (Tᵊvûnah) is the discerning insight that allows one to grasp the why behind wisdom's principles, enabling effective application and the making of astute distinctions. Together, they represent a holistic grasp of godly living.

Proverbs 2 2 Bonus section

• This verse underpins the "seek and you will find" principle prevalent throughout Scripture, especially when applied to spiritual truths. It's the human effort that God rewards and fulfills.
• The connection between "ear" and "heart" emphasizes a complete, integrated response to divine revelation, highlighting that true faith involves both perception and profound internal commitment. An attentive ear without an inclined heart leads to shallow knowledge, while an inclined heart cannot grow without diligent hearing.
• This instruction implicitly stands against the idea that wisdom is purely innate or received without human effort. While ultimately from God (Prov 2:6), it requires diligent, active pursuit on the part of the seeker.

Proverbs 2 2 Commentary

Proverbs 2:2 is a concise yet profound exhortation to active participation in the pursuit of divine wisdom. It establishes that receiving God's truth is neither passive nor accidental, but demands a deliberate, two-fold commitment from the individual. To "make your ear attentive" means to cultivate disciplined listening, akin to the careful attention a student gives a valued teacher. It requires silencing external and internal distractions, fostering an openness to instruction, and diligently processing the words spoken or read. This is the intellectual and perceptual aspect of wisdom's pursuit.

However, the verse swiftly moves to an even deeper, more crucial dimension: "inclining your heart to understanding." This transcends mere intellectual hearing; it calls for a redirection of one's entire inner being. The "heart" in Hebrew thought is the seat of intellect, emotion, and will. To "incline" it suggests a deliberate bending or alignment of one's deepest desires, motivations, and affections towards comprehending and internalizing godly insight. It means desiring wisdom not just for knowledge's sake, but for transformation and practical application in life. This spiritual willingness and humble posture are what allow wisdom to truly penetrate and reshape character. Without an inclined heart, knowledge remains superficial, failing to produce genuine understanding or righteous living. The verse therefore establishes a symbiotic relationship: focused hearing prepares the mind, while a willing heart embraces and integrates the truth, culminating in profound understanding.

• Practically:
  • When listening to a sermon or reading Scripture, engage not just your intellect but also your will, desiring to be changed.
  • Cultivate a posture of humility, recognizing that true understanding often requires letting go of preconceived notions.
  • Actively meditate on spiritual truths, allowing them to penetrate beyond surface-level comprehension into your affections and choices.