Proverbs 20:12 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 20:12 mean?

Proverbs 20:12 says that both the ability to hear and the ability to see are created by the LORD, highlighting that these basic senses are gifts from God. The verse points out that even the most ordinary human abilities come from God’s design and should not be taken for granted.

In the book of Proverbs, these words are part of wise sayings collected to teach practical and moral lessons. The writer is reminding readers that God, referred to here as the LORD, is the source of all human faculties, not just spiritual gifts but also everyday senses like hearing and seeing. This would encourage humility and gratitude, recognizing dependence on God for even the simplest things.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 20:12

• LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that it is the God of Israel who is the creator of these senses, not just any deity.
• made (עָשָׂה, ʿasah): This word means “to make” or “to do,” and here it stresses that God actively formed both the ear and the eye, not just passively allowing them to exist.
• both (שְׁנַיִם, shenayim): The use of this word highlights that hearing and seeing are equally God’s handiwork, so neither sense is more important or independent from God.

Why Proverbs 20:12 matters

• This verse clears up any idea that human abilities are self-made or purely natural; it emphasizes that even basic senses are intentional gifts from God.
• Proverbs 20:12 connects to the wider theme in Proverbs that wisdom begins with recognizing God’s role in every part of life, not just in religious matters.
• The verse encourages a sense of humility and gratitude, reminding readers that what seems ordinary is actually a sign of God’s ongoing care and creativity.