Proverbs 22:17-18

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Proverbs 22:17 sn A new collection of sayings begins here, forming the fourth section of the book of Proverbs. This collection is not like that of 1:1-9:18; here the introductory material is more personal than 1:1-7, and the style differs, showing great similarity to the Instruction of Amenemope in Egypt (especially the thirty precepts of the sages in 22:17-24:22). Verses 17-21 form the introduction, and then the sayings begin in v. 22. After the thirty sayings are given, there are further sayings in 24:23-34. There is much literature on this material: see W. K. Simpson, ed., Literature of Ancient Egypt; ANET 412-425; and A. Cody, “Notes on Proverbs 22:21 and 22:23b,” Bib 61 (1980): 418-26.
2. Proverbs 22:17 sn To “incline the ear” means to “listen carefully” (cf. NCV); the expression is metonymical in that the ear is the instrument for hearing. It is like telling someone to lean over to hear better.
3. Proverbs 22:17 tn Or “heart.” The term לֵב (lev) can refer to the “mind” or the “heart” and represent a person’s thinking, feeling, or will.
4. Proverbs 22:17 tn Heb “knowledge” (so KJV, NASB); in this context it refers to the knowledge that is spoken by the wise, hence “instruction.”
5. Proverbs 22:18 tn Or “when” (so NIV).
6. Proverbs 22:18 tn Heb “keep them,” referring to the words of the wise expressed in these sayings. The referent has been specified in the translation for clarity.
7. Proverbs 22:18 tn The term “and” does not appear in the Hebrew but is supplied in the translation.
8. Proverbs 22:18 sn If the teachings are preserved in the heart/mind of the disciple, then that individual will always be ready to speak what was retained.