20:12

In this proverb, the second line comments on the topic of the first line.

12a Ears that hear and eyes that see—

12b the LORD has made them both.

The main point is that the LORD created the senses of hearing and seeing. He provided people with ears so that we can hear and with eyes so that we can see.

The proverb probably implies that the LORD gave people eyes and ears to use wisely in a way that pleases him.

20:12a–b

Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both: In Hebrew, the first part of the verse is literally “The hearing ear and the seeing eye,” as in the English Standard Version. The Revised English Bible uses the words “attentive” and “observant” to imply that people use their ears and eyes deliberately. It has:

An attentive ear, an observant eye

Another way to translate this verse is:

Ears to hear and eyes to see—both are gifts from the Lord. (New Living Translation (2004))

In some languages, it may be more natural to put the last part of the verse first. It may also be more natural to mention the eyes before the ears. For example:

The Lord has given us eyes to see with and ears to listen with. (Good News Translation)

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