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Matthew 15:10
Hear, and understand
Responding to being attacked by Pharisees for violating traditions.
Matthew 15:10 Hear, and understand :
Matthew 15:10 Listen and understand.
Listen, and put [it] together!
Greek
Greek Word Order
We must listen to get the pieces, but we must put together the pieces to understand.
Lost in Translation
The word translated as "understand" means "to bring together." It means "understand" in the same sense that we say "put it together" to mean "understand." This tells us that Christ's idea of "understanding" was more like putting together pieces of a puzzle, not a passive process. It could be a command, but it could also be a simple statement.
Jesus uses a couple of different Greek word that can be translated as "hear." This particular one means not just hearing with the ear, but listening so you can understand. It can also be translated as "understand" though the KJV never does that.
Vocabulary (Greek word by word)
Ἀκούετε (verb 2nd pl pres imperat act) "Hear" is from akouo, which means "hear of," "hear tell of," "what one actually hears," "know by hearsay," "listen to," "give ear to," "hear and understand," and "understand."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
συνίετε: [10 verses](verb 2nd pl pres ind/imperat act) "Understand" is from syniemi which means "to bring together" or "to set together." It is also a metaphor for "perceive," "hear," and "understand" as we would say that we "put it all together" when figuring something out.
KJV — word by word
Hear, - -- "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand." The form is a command to a group of people.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
understand -- The word translated as "understand" means "to bring together." It means "understand" in the same sense that we say "put it together" to mean "understand." This word is always translated as "understand" in the KJV translation. A number of other Greek words begin with the same prefix, and all mean some form for bringing things together, for calling a meeting or to gather a crop. The form is either a simple statement or a command to a group of people.
NIV — word by word
Listen - -- "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear" and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding. It is the most common verb that Christ uses meaning "to hear." It also means "to listen" and "to understand." The form is a command to a group of people.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
understand. -- The word translated as "understand" means "to bring together." It means "understand" in the same sense that we say "put it together" to mean "understand." This word is always translated as "understand" in the KJV translation. A number of other Greek words begin with the same prefix, and all mean some form for bringing things together, for calling a meeting or to gather a crop. The form is either a simple statement or a command to a group of people.