Proverbs 8:5 kjv

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

Proverbs 8:5 nkjv

O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart.

Proverbs 8:5 niv

You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.

Proverbs 8:5 esv

O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.

Proverbs 8:5 nlt

You simple people, use good judgment.
You foolish people, show some understanding.

Proverbs 8 verses

Proverbs 8 5 Meaning

Proverbs 8:5 is a direct, urgent appeal from Lady Wisdom, personified, inviting both the unsophisticated and the obstinately foolish to acquire practical insight and develop a discerning heart. It underscores that genuine understanding is accessible even to those lacking wisdom, urging them to fundamentally reorient their approach to life's profound truths and moral choices.

Proverbs 8 5 Context

Proverbs 8 features Lady Wisdom personified, actively proclaiming her message in public places: the street corners, city gates, and along the thoroughfares. This portrayal contrasts sharply with Lady Folly's secretive and deceptive enticements depicted in Proverbs 7. Lady Wisdom speaks with divine authority, highlighting her pre-existence with God before creation, and offers the highest form of counsel. Verse 5 is an urgent and direct invitation within this grand appeal, extended specifically to those who are spiritually unsophisticated (the "simple") and those stubbornly resistant to truth (the "fools"). Its purpose is to draw them away from paths of ignorance and self-destruction towards life-giving discernment and prudence, aligning with the broader aim of biblical wisdom literature to impart practical, moral, and spiritual guidance for living righteously under God.

Proverbs 8 5 Word analysis

• O simple ones (פְתָאיִם - pethāyim): This Hebrew term refers to the naive, gullible, or easily persuaded. They are inexperienced, lacking in judgment, and susceptible to various forms of deception or bad advice, but not necessarily wicked. They are open to learning.
• understand (בִּינוּ - bînu): An imperative verb derived from the root bin, which denotes discernment, insight, and the ability to distinguish between different things. It implies a deeper comprehension and mental grasp beyond superficial knowledge, recognizing implications and connections.
• prudence (עָרְמָה - ʻormāh): Refers to shrewdness, astuteness, or practical wisdom. In Proverbs, it typically has a positive connotation, denoting the practical sagacity and good sense that leads to careful and beneficial actions, helping one avoid danger and choose the wise path.
• And O fools (כְסִילִים - kᵉsîlîm): This Hebrew word identifies those who are morally dull, stubbornly resistant to instruction, spiritually dense, and dismissive of wisdom. Unlike the simple, they are not merely naive but often actively refuse correction and insight, remaining impervious to beneficial teachings.
• be of an understanding heart (וּבִינוּ לֵב - uvinû lêv): Literally meaning "and understand heart." The "heart" (לֵב - lev) in Hebrew thought is not merely the emotional center but the core of a person's being—the seat of intellect, will, emotions, conscience, and moral decision-making. This phrase commands a profound application of discernment to one's innermost disposition, implying a transformation of their very character and the way they perceive and respond to truth.

Words-group analysis:

• "O simple ones, understand prudence": This phrase represents a compassionate appeal to the teachable. It emphasizes that those who lack experience can gain practical discernment, moving beyond their naivete to act wisely and navigate life safely, avoiding common pitfalls by actively seeking and applying wisdom.
• "And O fools, be of an understanding heart": This expression is a challenging but redemptive call to those who are more resistant. It suggests that even the stubborn can achieve true understanding if they allow wisdom to penetrate and transform their core being—their deepest thoughts, motivations, and choices. This calls for an internal moral shift rather than mere intellectual apprehension.

Proverbs 8 5 Bonus section

• The progression from "simple ones" to "fools" in this appeal reflects the increasing level of resistance to wisdom, yet Lady Wisdom's call remains universal and hopeful for both groups.
• The imperative form of "understand" (בִּינוּ) in both clauses stresses the urgency and the volitional nature of accepting wisdom—it is an active choice to open one's mind and heart.
• The emphasis on the "heart" being understanding (understanding a heart) signifies that true biblical understanding goes beyond intellectual knowledge; it requires a deep, internal reorientation of one's entire moral and spiritual faculty.
• This verse underpins the concept of divine patience and desire for all to turn to righteousness, offering a pathway for repentance and transformation through the pursuit of wisdom.

Proverbs 8 5 Commentary

Proverbs 8:5 serves as a gracious invitation from Lady Wisdom to all humanity, particularly addressing those at various stages of spiritual and intellectual immaturity. The "simple" are urged to grasp "prudence," a practical wisdom that helps them discern right from wrong and navigate life with care. This call acknowledges their potential for growth from innocence to insight. The "fools," often characterized by obstinacy and rejection of instruction, receive a deeper injunction: to "be of an understanding heart." This signifies that wisdom aims not merely at outward conduct, but at transforming one's inner disposition—the core of will, intellect, and moral perception. The verse collectively highlights that wisdom is both accessible and transformative, available even to those far from it, if they are willing to listen and allow it to reorder their innermost being. It underscores that wisdom is not just knowledge, but an internalized discernment that leads to righteous living.