The Meaning of Proverbs 8:5 Explained

Proverbs 8:5

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

YLT: Understand, ye simple ones, prudence, And ye fools, understand the heart,

Darby: O ye simple, understand prudence; and ye foolish, understand sense.

ASV: O ye simple, understand prudence; And, ye fools, be of an understanding heart.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Proverbs 8:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 8:1-21 - "better Than Gold"
This chapter contains a bewitching picture of Wisdom as a noble matron. Were it not for this feminine touch, we might, suppose that the Preacher had become a Prophet and was discerning the lineaments of Christ, who in His human life embodied the Divine Wisdom, as indeed He was the Eternal Word.
She stands in the open places; her ringing voice is heard down the streets, appealing to those who are entering the city gates or doors of the houses. There is no muttering or whispering; but the beauty of goodness illuminates all she says. She insists on her own value, as compared with the valuables that men prize. The central point in her promises is that she imparts those great moral qualities which imply the true leadership and right estimate of others. What a precious word is Proverbs 8:17 : but we can never forget that we love "because He first loved us." Oh, the mystery and wonder of it! And can that love ever fail us? [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 8

1  the fame
6  and evidence of wisdom
10  The excellence
12  the nature
15  the power
18  the riches
22  and the eternity of wisdom
32  Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it brings

What do the individual words in Proverbs 8:5 mean?

Understand you simple ones prudence and you fools be of an understanding heart
הָבִ֣ינוּ פְתָאיִ֣ם עָרְמָ֑ה וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים הָבִ֥ינוּ לֵֽב

הָבִ֣ינוּ  Understand 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: בִּין  
Sense: to discern, understand, consider.
פְתָאיִ֣ם  you  simple  ones 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: פֶּתִי 
Sense: simplicity, naivete adj.
עָרְמָ֑ה  prudence 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: עָרְמָה  
Sense: shrewdness, craftiness, prudence.
וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים  and  you  fools 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine plural
Root: כְּסִיל  
Sense: fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one.
הָבִ֥ינוּ  be  of  an  understanding 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: בִּין  
Sense: to discern, understand, consider.
לֵֽב  heart 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.