Proverbs 20:12

“The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, etc.] 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, (<19B505>Psalm 115:5,6); 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 <020411>Exodus 4:11 <199407>Psalm 94:7,8); they are both senses of excellent use and service; great mercies and blessings of life, for which men should be abundantly thankful, and pray for the continuance of, and make use of to the best purposes; they are means…”

“Hence, of course, God will know all you do (Psa 94:9).”

“Not only do we owe the gifts of sight and hearing to Yahweh, but He, being the giver, will also call us to account for them (compare Psalms 94:9). return to 'Top of Page'”

“20:12 The ability to observe and learn from experience is a divine gift.”

“Exo 4:11; Psa 94:9, Psa 119:18; Mat 13:13-16; Act 26:18; Eph 1:17, Eph 1:18 Proverbs 20:13”

“12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye - Jahve hath created them both. Lwenstein, like the lxx: the ear hears and the eye sees - it is enough to refer to the contrary to Pro 20:10 and Pro 17:15. In itself the proverb affirms a fact, and that is its sensus simplex; but besides, this fact may be seen from many points of view, and it has many consequences, none of which is to be rejected as contrary to the meaning: (1.) It lies nearest to draw the conclusion, vi eminentiae, which is drawn in Psa 94:9. God is thus the All-hearing and the All-seeing, from which, on the one side, the consolation arises that everything that is seen stands under His protection and government, Pro 15:3; and on the…”