Proverbs 22:17

Words of the Wise

17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise; you shall apply your heart to my teaching.

Proverbs 22:17 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 22:17

Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise
Here begins a new part or division of this book. According to some, the "third"; the "first" ending with ( Proverbs 9:18 ) , the "second" at ( Proverbs 22:16 ) , and a "third", beginning here, and ending with ( Proverbs 24:34 ) . It is certain that what follows from hence to the end of that is written in another style, by way of exhortation, caution; and instruction, and is directed to particular persons: as here an exhortation is made to Solomon's son, or to those that attended his instruction; or rather to the children of Wisdom, that is, Christ; to listen attentively to "the words of the wise"; of Solomon, and other wise men before him, or contemporary with him; or rather of Wisdom and her maidens, Christ, and the wise men sent by him; who are made wise to salvation, and furnished for every good work by him, from whom the words of the wise come; and who speak the wisdom of God in a mystery; and whose doctrines are to be heard and received, not as the word of men, but as the word of God; and apply thine heart unto my knowledge;
the knowledge of divine and spiritual things Christ instructs in, and the knowledge of himself; which is preferable to all other knowledge, and to thousands of gold and silver; and in comparison of which all things are but loss and dung; and therefore should be applied unto with intenseness of mind, and cordially received.

Proverbs 22:17 In-Context

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a boy; [the] rod of discipline will drive it from him.

16 He who oppresses the poor [in order] to enrich himself, [or] gives to the rich, {will come to poverty}.

17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise; you shall apply your heart to my teaching.

18 For [it is] pleasant if you guard them {within you}; together they will be ready upon your lips.

19 [In order] for your trust to be in Yahweh, I have made [them] known to you {today}--even you.

Footnotes

• [a] Or "mind"