Proverbs 28:9

Authorized King James Version

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He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Original Language Analysis

מֵסִ֣יר He that turneth away H5493
מֵסִ֣יר He that turneth away
Strong's: H5493
Word #: 1 of 7
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
אָ֭זְנוֹ his ear H241
אָ֭זְנוֹ his ear
Strong's: H241
Word #: 2 of 7
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
מִשְּׁמֹ֣עַ from hearing H8085
מִשְּׁמֹ֣עַ from hearing
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 3 of 7
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
תּוֹרָ֑ה the law H8451
תּוֹרָ֑ה the law
Strong's: H8451
Word #: 4 of 7
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
גַּ֥ם H1571
גַּ֥ם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 5 of 7
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
תְּ֝פִלָּת֗וֹ even his prayer H8605
תְּ֝פִלָּת֗וֹ even his prayer
Strong's: H8605
Word #: 6 of 7
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
תּוֹעֵבָֽה׃ shall be abomination H8441
תּוֹעֵבָֽה׃ shall be abomination
Strong's: H8441
Word #: 7 of 7
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

Analysis & Commentary

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination—Willful rejection of torah (God's instruction) renders one's tefillah (prayer) into to'evah (abomination, detestable thing). This shocking verdict reveals that liturgy divorced from obedience offends God.

The principle echoes Isaiah 1:15: 'When ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you... your hands are full of blood.' Psalm 66:18: 'If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.' The relationship is covenantal—those who turn away the ear from God's word cannot expect Him to incline His ear to their petitions. 1 John 3:22 confirms: 'Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments.'

Historical Context

Israel's prophets consistently condemned empty ritualism—sacrifices and prayers offered while disobeying covenant stipulations (Amos 5:21-24, Micah 6:6-8). Post-exilic Judaism sometimes fell into formalism that Jesus also confronted (Matthew 15:8-9). Authentic worship requires heart obedience.

Questions for Reflection