Proverbs 9:16 kjv
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Proverbs 9:16 nkjv
"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here"; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
Proverbs 9:16 niv
"Let all who are simple come to my house!" To those who have no sense she says,
Proverbs 9:16 esv
"Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" And to him who lacks sense she says,
Proverbs 9:16 nlt
"Come in with me," she urges the simple.
To those who lack good judgment, she says,
Proverbs 9 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 1:4 | To give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth... | Purpose of Proverbs for the simple. |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. | Contrast simple with wise. |
| Prov 1:20-22 | Wisdom calls aloud in the street... "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?" | Wisdom also calls to the simple. |
| Prov 8:1-5 | Does not wisdom call out...? "To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all humanity. O simple ones, understand prudence..." | Wisdom's universal invitation. |
| Prov 9:4 | "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!"... she says to him, "Come, eat of my bread..." | Wisdom's identical invitation. |
| Prov 14:15 | The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. | Character of the "simple". |
| Prov 14:18 | The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. | Consequence of simplicity. |
| Prov 22:3 | The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. | Simple's vulnerability. |
| Prov 5:3-5 | For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey... but in the end she is bitter as wormwood... Her feet go down to death... | Depiction of Folly's alluring danger. |
| Prov 7:7 | ...among the simple, among the youths, a young man lacking sense... | Folly preys on the easily deceived. |
| Prov 7:22-23 | All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter... because he does not know that it will cost him his life. | Result of following Folly. |
| Psa 1:6 | For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. | Two contrasting paths. |
| Deut 30:19 | ...I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life... | Choice between life and death. |
| Jer 2:13 | "My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me... and hewed out broken cisterns..." | Forsaking living water for empty things. |
| Hos 4:6 | My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge... | Consequences of lack of understanding. |
| Matt 7:13-14 | Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction... the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life... | Two gates/paths. |
| Luke 6:46-49 | Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?... building a house... on the sand. | Folly's unstable foundation. |
| Rom 1:21-22 | Claiming to be wise, they became fools... | Exchanging truth for foolishness. |
| Eph 5:15 | Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise... | Exhortation to walk wisely. |
| Col 2:8 | See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition... | Warning against deceptive teachings. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God... | Solution for lack of wisdom. |
| Jas 1:13-15 | ...each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. | Folly's appeal to desire and result. |
| 2 Tim 3:6 | For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women... loaded with sins, led astray by various passions... | Illustrates Folly's method of enticement. |
| Rev 22:17 | The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come."... | The divine invitation echoes Wisdom. |
Proverbs 9 verses
Proverbs 9 16 Meaning
Proverbs 9:16 describes Folly, personified as a woman, extending an invitation. She calls out to those who are naive or simple-minded (פֶתִי, p̄eṯî), inviting them to "turn in here" to her dwelling. Furthermore, she specifically addresses anyone "who wants understanding" (חֲסַר-לֵב, ḥăsar-lēḇ), literally one who lacks a heart or discernment, actively seeking to draw them onto her destructive path. This verse directly parallels Wisdom's earlier call in the chapter, highlighting the contrasting paths of life and death available to humanity.
Proverbs 9 16 Context
Proverbs chapter 9 serves as a climax in the book's introductory section (Prov 1-9), starkly contrasting the ways of Wisdom and Folly. The chapter presents two highly personified women, Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly, both extending invitations to humanity. Wisdom has built her house on seven pillars, prepared a lavish feast, and sent out her servants to call to the simple and those who lack understanding (Prov 9:1-5). She offers life and true understanding (Prov 9:6-12).
Immediately following Wisdom's benevolent invitation and promises, verses 13-18 introduce Lady Folly. She is loud, unruly, and knows nothing (Prov 9:13). Verse 16 specifically mirrors Wisdom's call, using almost identical phrasing as Prov 9:4. This parallel highlights Folly's deceptive nature; she imitates the genuine call of Wisdom, presenting herself as an equally viable option. The historical context reflects a world where individuals constantly face choices between righteous living according to Yahweh's commands and straying towards paths of sin and idolatry. The book of Proverbs uses the imagery of wisdom and folly to instruct young men, and by extension all believers, in discernment and ethical conduct within a covenant relationship with God. The subtle polemic here is against any path that deviates from the "fear of the Lord" and reliance on divine instruction, implying that alternatives, no matter how enticing, lead to ruin.
Proverbs 9 16 Word analysis
- "Whoever is simple" (Hebrew: פֶתִי, p̄eṯî):
- Word Level: Refers to a naive, inexperienced, or gullible person. Not necessarily evil, but lacks discernment and is easily influenced or misled.
- Significance: This individual is receptive to outside influence, making them a prime target for both Wisdom's guidance and Folly's deceit. They are at a crossroads, needing a guiding principle.
- "let him turn in here" (Hebrew: יָסֻר הֵ֫נָּה, yāsur hennāh):
- Word Level: An imperative call, a direct invitation to detour or divert one's course to Folly's location. This mimics Wisdom's call in Prov 9:4 precisely.
- Significance: Folly actively solicits, seeking to pull individuals off their present trajectory. It emphasizes a deliberate act of choosing her path.
- "and as for him that wants understanding" (Hebrew: חֲסַר-לֵב, ḥăsar-lēḇ):
- Word Level: Literally "lacks a heart." In biblical Hebrew, lēḇ (heart) often signifies the mind, intellect, will, moral discernment, and inner being, not just emotion. Thus, this refers to someone lacking moral and intellectual discernment, wisdom, or sound judgment. It denotes foolishness and an inability to perceive spiritual truth.
- Significance: Folly targets not only the naive but also those specifically deficient in the very core of biblical wisdom—a discerning heart. These individuals are ripe for exploitation because they lack inner moral compass.
- "she says to him":
- Word Level: "She" (הִיא, hî) clearly identifies Folly as the speaker, personifying this destructive force. "Says" (ʾāmərāh) indicates her direct verbal allure.
- Significance: Folly is not a passive force; she is an active, persuasive agent, directly addressing and luring her intended victims. Her words are enticing, promising something to those who "lack."
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here:": This phrase establishes Folly's primary target – the unsuspecting and open-minded. It is a direct and inviting summons, positioning Folly as an alternative authority or source of guidance for those navigating life without a fixed compass. Her call is immediate and demands a physical diversion from one's present path.
- "and as for him that wants understanding, she says to him,": This expands Folly's audience to include those suffering from an inner deficit of discernment and moral judgment. By targeting individuals lacking a "heart" of wisdom, Folly exploits a profound vulnerability. Her verbal invitation underscores her cunning and her active role in leading people astray, mirroring the benevolent teaching of Wisdom with sinister intent. This specific phrasing highlights her appeal to those feeling a void or a need for direction, offering a false remedy.
Proverbs 9 16 Bonus section
- Parabolic House Structures: Both Wisdom and Folly have "houses" in chapter 9. Wisdom's house (Prov 9:1) is carefully built with "seven pillars," symbolizing strength, completeness, and divine order (e.g., God created the world in 7 days, 7 is a number of perfection). Folly's house (Prov 9:14), however, has no mentioned structure or stability. She merely sits "at the door of her house" or "on a seat in the high places of the city," suggesting accessibility but not firm foundation or security. This architectural contrast visually signifies the outcomes of their respective paths.
- Feast Imagery: Both Wisdom and Folly invite guests to a "feast." Wisdom's feast (Prov 9:2, 5) involves "meat" and "wine," symbolizing abundance, satisfaction, and spiritual nourishment that leads to life. Folly's "feast" (Prov 9:17) comprises "stolen water" and "bread eaten in secret." "Stolen water" signifies forbidden pleasures or illicit gains that lack true refreshment, while "bread eaten in secret" implies shame, illicit actions, and transient, unsatisfying indulgence. The difference in their menus highlights the emptiness and destructive nature of Folly's offerings.
- The Power of Mimicry: A significant aspect of Proverbs 9:16 is Folly's deliberate mimicry of Wisdom's exact words in Prov 9:4. This highlights a recurring theme in the Bible: evil often disguises itself as good, and deceptive paths often look superficially appealing or even identical to righteous ones (e.g., 2 Cor 11:14 "Satan disguises himself as an angel of light"). Discerning truth requires looking beyond initial appearances and listening not only to the words but to the spirit and ultimate consequences.
- Personal Application: This verse cautions against superficial judgments and urges introspection about what we consume and what influences we invite into our lives. It speaks to the ongoing spiritual battle for the soul's affections and decisions.
Proverbs 9 16 Commentary
Proverbs 9:16 is a pivotal verse because it unveils the insidious nature of Folly. She is not a silent, abstract concept, but a vibrant, albeit dangerous, personification. By echoing Wisdom's very invitation from Prov 9:4, Folly demonstrates her deceitful strategy: imitation. She seeks to lure the same susceptible individuals—the "simple" and those "lacking understanding"—who are also the intended audience for Wisdom.
Folly preys on vulnerability, particularly on those who lack mature discernment and ethical insight. The "simple" are easily swayed, and those "lacking a heart" (understanding) possess an inner void that Folly seeks to fill with destructive choices. Her call appears accessible and perhaps less demanding than Wisdom's, offering a seemingly easy path. However, the contrast provided later in the chapter (Prov 9:18) reveals her true house is in the realm of the dead. This verse serves as a crucial warning within the wisdom tradition: superficial resemblances can mask profound differences in outcome. Discerning between true wisdom and deceptive folly is not merely an intellectual exercise but a choice of life or death, eternal blessing or ruin.