Wisdom is found by humbly receiving God’s guidance and committing wholeheartedly to follow His instruction.
Proverbs 22:17 exhorts its readers, saying, Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge (v.17). This counsel stresses the need to listen closely—to bend our ears in humility—so that we might receive wisdom and navigate life’s path with discernment. In Proverbs, hearing is consistently presented as the first step toward understanding, a pattern also reflected when Jesus urges His followers, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15). A receptive, teachable posture promotes growth in practical righteousness because, as Scripture tells us elsewhere, when we “Make [our] ear attentive to wisdom” we ultimately “discover the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:2-6).
By urging readers to apply your mind to my knowledge, this passage reminds us that true wisdom involves active engagement. Much like other passages that compare wise instruction to a precious ornament or wreath (Proverbs 1:8-9), the verse underscores that paying full attention and internalizing wisdom yields greater maturity in faith. By applying our heart to instruction, we not only honor God, but also step into the flourishing life He intends for us, pointing to the reality that hearing the words of the wise and practicing them brings lifelong spiritual benefit.
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Proverbs 22:17 meaning
Proverbs 22:17 exhorts its readers, saying, Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge (v.17). This counsel stresses the need to listen closely—to bend our ears in humility—so that we might receive wisdom and navigate life’s path with discernment. In Proverbs, hearing is consistently presented as the first step toward understanding, a pattern also reflected when Jesus urges His followers, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15). A receptive, teachable posture promotes growth in practical righteousness because, as Scripture tells us elsewhere, when we “Make [our] ear attentive to wisdom” we ultimately “discover the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:2-6).
By urging readers to apply your mind to my knowledge, this passage reminds us that true wisdom involves active engagement. Much like other passages that compare wise instruction to a precious ornament or wreath (Proverbs 1:8-9), the verse underscores that paying full attention and internalizing wisdom yields greater maturity in faith. By applying our heart to instruction, we not only honor God, but also step into the flourishing life He intends for us, pointing to the reality that hearing the words of the wise and practicing them brings lifelong spiritual benefit.