The Meaning of Proverbs 25:12 Explained

Proverbs 25:12

KJV: As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

YLT: A ring of gold, and an ornament of pure gold, Is the wise reprover to an attentive ear.

Darby: An ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an attentive ear.

ASV: As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,'so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

[As] an earring  of gold,  and an ornament  of fine gold,  [so is] a wise  reprover  upon an obedient  ear. 

What does Proverbs 25:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 25:1-14 - Words Fitly Spoken
This collection of proverbs was made. 250years after the time of Solomon by the scribes of King Hezekiah. The glory of God is too great to be disclosed to the vulgar eye of mere curiosity, but it will be unfolded to royal souls that seek for it as for hid treasure"¦. The great rulers of the world must have their secret counsels, but they should be freed from evil counselors, as gold from dross"¦. Compare Proverbs 25:6 and Proverbs 25:7 with Luke 14:8-10"¦. Second thoughts are best; sleep over your plan or letter; be deliberate in planning and prompt in acting on the plan when formed"¦. Don't reveal to another a cause of offense that should be adjusted between yourself and your neighbor, Matthew 18:15"¦. A word happily adapted to a circumstance is like an apple of gold, that is, an orange, in a basket of silver filigree-work."¦ As drink cooled with snow refreshes the thirsty reaper, so is a messenger who faithfully executes his errand to the master who sent him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 25

1  observations about kings
8  and about avoiding causes of quarrels

What do the individual words in Proverbs 25:12 mean?

[Like] an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold [Is] a rebuker wise to an ear obedient
נֶ֣זֶם זָ֭הָב וַחֲלִי־ כָ֑תֶם מוֹכִ֥יחַ חָ֝כָ֗ם עַל־ אֹ֥זֶן שֹׁמָֽעַת

נֶ֣זֶם  [Like]  an  earring 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: נֶזֶם  
Sense: ring, nose ring, earring.
זָ֭הָב  of  gold 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: זָהָב  
Sense: gold.
וַחֲלִי־  and  an  ornament 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: חֲלִי  
Sense: jewellery, ornament.
כָ֑תֶם  of  fine  gold 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֶּתֶם  
Sense: gold, pure gold.
מוֹכִ֥יחַ  [Is]  a  rebuker 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine singular
Root: יָכַח  
Sense: to prove, decide, judge, rebuke, reprove, correct, be right.
חָ֝כָ֗ם  wise 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: חָכָם  
Sense: wise, wise (man).
אֹ֥זֶן  an  ear 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֹזֶן  
Sense: ear, as part of the body.
שֹׁמָֽעַת  obedient 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, feminine singular
Root: שָׁמַע 
Sense: to hear, listen to, obey.