Proverbs 8:5

O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. O YE SIMPLE, UNDERSTAND WISDOM; AND, YE FOOLS, BE YE OF AN UNDERSTANDING HEART. "Wisdom" (Chakmah) in Proverbs 8:1 is a different Hebrew word from that here [ `aarmaah (H6195)], which is translated in Proverbs 1:4 subtilty, and has the double signification of prudence and astuteness. Translate here 'prudence.' The "simple" are those liable to be led astray. The "fools" are those actually guilty of sinful folly and error (Proverbs 26:12). Do not go on always in your folly: cease to be of a spiritually unintelligent heart,...

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 chief difficulty is to get men to attend to instruction. Yet attention to the words of Christ, will guide the most ignorant into saving knowledge of the truth. Where there is an understanding heart, and willingness to receive the truth in love, wisdom is valued above silver and gold....

Verse Proverbs 8:5. _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 conscienc

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 8:1 14. _Fourteenth admonitory discourse _concerning Wisdom—her excellence, her origin, her gifts. She is contrasted with the strange woman of Proverbs 7:1; and the exceeding greatness of the blessings which she offers exhibits in the most marked manner the nothingness of the deceiver's gifts. One is reminded of the celebrated episode of the choice of Hercules, delineated by Xenophon, 'Memorab.,' 2.1. 21, etc. The chapter divides itself into four sections. (1) Introductory (Proverbs 7:1); Wisdom calls on all to listen, and gives reasons for trusting to her ...

O YE SIMPLE, UNDERSTAND WISDOM,.... The Gospel, the wisdom of God in a mystery, particularly the doctrine of salvation by Christ; it is the highest wisdom to know Christ and him crucified: and they are "the simple" who are weak and easy to be imposed upon, who are here called unto; and generally speaking such are they to whom the mysteries of grace are made known, while they are hid from the wise and prudent; AND YE FOOLS, BE OF AN UNDERSTANDING HEART; or "cause the heart to understand"; or "get an understanding heart" t; make use of all means to get spiritual wisdom and understanding; all men, let them be what they will in other respects, are fools as to a spiritual and experimental knowledge of divine things; and that man can only be said to have truly an understanding heart that knows his own folly, the plague of his heart, his need of Christ, the worth of him; and has an understandi...

CHAPTER 8 _ 1. The call and appeal of wisdom (Proverbs 8:1)_ 2. What wisdom is and what wisdom gives (Proverbs 8:12) 3. Wisdom; the Person, who He is (Proverbs 8:22) 4. The renewed appeal (Proverbs 8:32) Proverbs 8:1. This is one of the most interesting Chapter s in the entire book. It begins with a call and appeal of wisdom, much like the call and appeal of the first chapter. If wisdom calls, has a voice, then wisdom must also be a person. Who personified wisdom is we learn most blessedly in this chapt

PROVERBS 8. WISDOM SPEAKS IN HER OWN PERSON. This chapter forms at once the nucleus and the climax of this section of the book. The series of addresses on practical wisdom is fitly closed by a profounder presentation of wisdom as the moving principle in the ways of God. It reinforces the practical maxims of Proverbs 8:1 with the fundamental principle that the wise man is in harmony with God. Its date probably fixes the date of the whole section (see Introduction, and for a fuller discussion especially Cheyne, _Job and Solomon,_ pp. 156f.). The relation of the conception of Wisdom personified to the Stoic Logos and to Greek philosophy in general cannot be discussed here. (See _Wisdom Literature_ in HDB, and especially the excellent introduction by Holmes to the Book of Wisdom in Charles-' _Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha._) The two main lines of development of this conception in H

SIMPLE. See note on Proverbs 1:4. WISDOM. Hebrew. _'armah._ Not the same word as in Proverbs 8:1. shrewdness. See note on Proverbs 1:2. FOOLS. Hebrew. _k sil._ See note on Proverbs 1:7....

_wisdom_ R.V. SUBTILTY. See Proverbs 1:4, note. Proverbs 8:6. _The plainness of her speech_....

CHAPTER 8 TEXT Proverbs 8:1-11 1. Doth not wisdom cry, And understanding put forth her voice? 2. On the top of high places by the way, Where the paths meet, she standeth; 3. Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, At the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud: 4. Unto you, O men, I call: And my voice is to the sons of men. 5. O ye simple, understand prudence; And, ye fools, be of an understanding heart. 6. Hear, for I will speak excellent things; And the opening of my lips shall be right things. 7. For my mouth shall utter truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing crooked or perverse in them. 9. They are all plain to him that understandeth,...