590. 13:9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. This symbolically means, let people who wish to be wise pay attention to this.

To have an ear and to hear means, symbolically, to perceive and obey, and also to pay attention (see no. 87 above). It follows that the verse also means people who wish to be wise.

We are told here, "If anyone has an ear, let him hear," in order that people may pay attention to what goes before. Otherwise they are not wise.

To “break” something creates an image that is different from “attacking,” “destroying,” or “shattering.” It is less emotional and violent in its intent; it is somewhat matter-of-fact. It is fitting, then, that “break” is used in the Bible primarily to illustrate the Lord’s destruction of evil desires and false ideas – something that must be done to preserve us from harm, but not something done with malice.