Proverbs 20:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:12

Note, 1. God is the God of nature, and all the powers and faculties of nature are derived from him and depend upon him, and therefore are to be employed for him. It was he that formed the eye and planted the ear (Ps. 94:9), and the structure of both is admirable; and it is he that preserves to us the use of both; to his providence we owe it that our eyes are seeing eyes and our ears hearing ears. Hearing and seeing are the learning senses, and must particularly own God's goodness in them. 2.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:12

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye ,.... There may be an ear that hears not, and an eye that seeth not, and which men may make; the painter can paint an ear and an eye, and a carver can carve both; but they are ears that hear not, and eyes that see not, Psalm 115:5 ; but such as can hear and see are of the Lord's own make; the Lord hath made even both of them ; they are the effects of his wisdom, power, and goodness; see Exodus 4:11 ; they are both senses of excellent use and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:12

The hearing ear and the seeing eye - Every good we possess comes from God; and we should neither use our eyes, nor our ears, nor any thing we possess, but in strict subserviency to his will. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:12

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them. This apothegm, which seems to be nothing but a trite truism, brings to notice many important consequences. First, there is the result noted in Psalms 94:9 , "He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall he not see?" Hence we learn the sleepless providence of God. So 'Pirke Aboth,' "Know that which is above thee, an eye that seeth all, an ear that heareth all." We learn also that all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:12

God our Maker Truly we are "wonderfully made;" and "the hand that made us is Divine." The human ear and eye are— I. INSTANCES OF DIVINE SKILL AND POWER . That we should be able, by means of this small apparatus included in "the ear," to detect such a variety of notes, to distinguish sounds from one another so readily, through so many years, to perceive the faintest whisper in the trees, and to enjoy the roll of the reverberating thunder; that we should be able, by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:12-19

Religion, industry, prudence, and honesty I. GOD THE SOURCE OF ALL GOOD . 1 . Of all bodily good. The eye, the ear, with all their wondrous mechanism, with all their rich instrumentality of enjoyment, are from him. 2 . Of all spiritual faculty and endowment, the analogues of the former, and "every good and perfect gift" ( James 1:16 ). The new heart, the right mind, should, above all, be recognized as his gifts. 3 . In domestic and in public life. Good counsels of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:1-30

Honesty (20:1-30)Wise people will not become drunkards, will not needlessly anger those in authority, will avoid quarrelling and will work to support themselves (20:1-4). They will also have the ability to draw out the deepest feelings and intentions of those with whom they deal (5). Many people boast of their loyalty but few practise it. To live honestly is the best way to guarantee a good future for one’s children (6-7). A king learns by experience to discern between right and wrong in cases... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 20:12

hearing ear, &c. Illustrations: Moses (Exodus 4:11 ); Hagar (Genesis 21:19 ); Elisha's servant (2 Kings 6:17 ); Lydia (Acts 16:14 ). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 20:12

"The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them."What an incredible marvel, really, is either one of these? Take hearing. One answers the telephone and hears a voice that he has not heard in ten years and recognizes it instantly! Or, one may detect delicate variations in colors with uncanny accuracy. This writer purchased a turquoise necklace from the Jordanian exhibit at the New York World's Fair in 1966; and then, without that necklace in his possession, he selected... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 20:12

12. Hence, of course, God will know all you do (Psalms 94:9). read more

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