SEV Biblia, Chapter 22:17
¶ Inclina tu oído, y oye las palabras de los sabios, y pon tu corazón a mi sabiduría;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 22:17
Verse 17. Bow down thine ear ] From this to the end of ver. 21 are contained, not proverbs, but directions how to profit by that which wisdom has already delivered; the nature of the instruction, and the end for which it was given. I shall give a paraphrase of this very important passage: - I. Solomon addresses his pupils on the use of his past teachings. See on ver. 6.
1. The wise man speaks; and all his words, not merely his sentiments, are to be carefully heard.
2. He speaks knowledge-gives doctrines true in themselves, and confirmed by observation and experience.
3. These are to be heard with humility and deep attention: "Bow down thine ear." 4. They must not only be heard, but meditated and pondered: "Apply thine heart to my knowledge."
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise , etc.] 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 17-21 - To these words, to this knowledge, the ear must be bowed down, and the heart applied by faith and love. To live a life of delight in God an dependence on him, is the foundation of all practical religion. The way to know the certainty of the word of truth, is to make conscience of our duty.
Original Hebrew
הט 5186 אזנך 241 ושׁמע 8085 דברי 1697 חכמים 2450 ולבך 3820 תשׁית 7896 לדעתי׃ 1847
