Proverbs 8 · Verse 5

Proverbs 8:5

O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
Proverbs 8:5, King James Version

Proverbs 8:5 in other translations

BSBO simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.
WEBYou simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!
ASVO ye simple, understand prudence; And, ye fools, be of an understanding heart.
YLTUnderstand, ye simple ones, prudence, And ye fools, understand the heart,
DARBYO ye simple, understand prudence; and ye foolish, understand sense.
BBEBecome expert in reason, O you simple ones; you foolish ones, take training to heart.
WebsterO ye simple, understand wisdom: and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

What does Proverbs 8:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. wisdom--literally, "subtilty" in a good sense, or, "prudence." fools--as Pr 1:22.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 O ye simple - פתאים pethaim, ye that are deceived, and with flattering words and fair speeches deluded and drawn away. Ye fools - כסילים kesilim, ye stupid, stiffnecked, senseless people. That preaching is never likely to do much good, that is not pointed; specifying and describing vices, and charging them home on the consciences of transgressors. Where this is not done, the congregation is unconcerned; no man supposes he has any thing to do in the business, especially if the preacher takes care to tell them, "These were the crimes of Jews, Romans, Greeks, of the people at Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica, Laodicea, and of heathens in general; but I hope better things of you, who have been born in a Christian land, and baptized in the Christian faith." Thus he arms their consciences in double brass against the good effects of his own teaching.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 8:1-11

Chapter Outline Christ, as Wisdom, calls to the sons of men. (1-11) The nature and riches of Wisdom. (12-21) Christ one with the Father, in the creation of the world, and rejoicing in his work for the salvation of man. (22-31) Exhortations to hear Christ's word. (32-36) Verses 1-11 The will of God is made known by the works of creation, and by the consciences of men, but more clearly by Moses and the prophets. The…

Read the full comment on Proverbs 8:1-11 →

Proverbs 8:5 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

הָבִ֣ינוּha.Vi.nuunderstandH995
פְתָאיִ֣םfe.ta.YimO naive peopleH6612
עָרְמָ֑ה'a.re.MahprudenceH6195
וּ֝כְסִילִ֗יםu.khe.si.Limand O foolsH3684
הָבִ֥ינוּha.Vi.nuunderstandH995
לֵֽב\׃LevheartH3820

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 8:5

  • Proverbs 1:22

    How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

  • Acts 26:18

    To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

  • Proverbs 9:4

    Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

  • Revelation 3:17-18

    Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

    Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

  • Psalms 19:7

    The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

  • Proverbs 1:4

    To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

  • Isaiah 42:13

    The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.

  • Psalms 94:8

    Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?

  • Isaiah 55:1-3

    Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:28

    And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1:22; 9:4; Ps 19:7; 94:8; Isa 42:13; 55:1-3; Ac 26:18; 1Co 1:28
1Co 6:9-11; Re 3:17,18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 8:4

    Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

  • Proverbs 8:5

    O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

  • Proverbs 8:6

    Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

Read all of Proverbs 8

Proverbs 8:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Entended, simples, discreción; y vosotros, locos, entrad en cordura.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Vous, simples, comprenez la prudence, et vous, sots, comprenez ce qu’est le sens.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Lernet Klugheit, ihr Einfältigen, und ihr Toren, lernet Verstand!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Intelligite, parvuli, astutiam, et insipientes, animadvertite.