Proverbs 15:31

15:31 The person 1  who hears the reproof that leads to life 2 

is at home 3  among the wise. 4 

Proverbs 20:12

20:12 The ear that hears and the eye that sees 5  –

the Lord has made them both. 6 

1 tn Heb “ear” (so KJV, NRSV). The term “ear” is a synecdoche of part (= ear) for the whole (= person).

2 tn “Life” is an objective genitive: Reproof brings or preserves life. Cf. NIV “life-giving rebuke”; NLT “constructive criticism.”

3 tn Heb “lodges.” This means to live with, to be at home with.

4 sn The proverb is one full sentence; it affirms that a teachable person is among the wise.

5 sn The first half of the verse refers to two basic senses that the Lord has given to people. C. H. Toy, however, thinks that they represent all the faculties (Proverbs [ICC], 388). But in the book of Proverbs seeing and hearing come to the fore. By usage “hearing” also means obeying (15:31; 25:12), and “seeing” also means perceiving and understanding (Isa 6:9-10).

6 sn The verse not only credits God with making these faculties of hearing and sight and giving them to people, but it also emphasizes their spiritual use in God’s service.