Proverbs 2:2

2 So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thy heart to understanding;

Proverbs 2:2 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 2:2

So that thou incline thine ear unto Wisdom
Hearken to Wisdom, that is, Christ; or rather to the instruction of Wisdom, which is the Gospel; so called, because it is the produce of divine wisdom, what the wisdom of man could never have devised, and which it opposes; and in which there is a most glorious display of the wisdom of God, in the justification and salvation of his people by Christ, ( 1 Corinthians 2:6 1 Corinthians 2:7 ) ; and is worth listening unto with the greatest attention, which is what is designed by this expression; [and] apply thine heart to understanding;
to a spiritual and experimental understanding of the Gospel, and the truths of it: for an inclination of the ear, without an application of the heart, which signifies the intenseness of the mind, an earnest and hearty desire after knowledge, will signify nothing; a hypocrite may seemingly hear with great attention, and show much affection, and yet his heart be after the world and the things of it, ( Ezekiel 33:31 ) ; see ( Psalms 119:112 ) .

Proverbs 2:2 In-Context

1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And lay up my commandments with thee;
2 So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thy heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou cry after discernment, And lift up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures:
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, And find the knowledge of God.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.