The Meaning of Proverbs 8:9 Explained

Proverbs 8:9

KJV: They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

YLT: All of them are plain to the intelligent, And upright to those finding knowledge.

Darby: They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

ASV: They are all plain to him that understandeth, And right to them that find knowledge.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

They [are] all plain  to him that understandeth,  and right  to them that find  knowledge. 

What does Proverbs 8:9 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 8:9 mean?

They [are] all plain to him who understands and right to those who find knowledge
כֻּלָּ֣ם נְ֭כֹחִים לַמֵּבִ֑ין וִֽ֝ישָׁרִ֗ים לְמֹ֣צְאֵי דָֽעַת

כֻּלָּ֣ם  They  [are]  all 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
נְ֭כֹחִים  plain 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: נָכֹחַ  
Sense: straight, right, straightness, be in front of.
לַמֵּבִ֑ין  to  him  who  understands 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine singular
Root: בִּין  
Sense: to discern, understand, consider.
וִֽ֝ישָׁרִ֗ים  and  right 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adjective, masculine plural
Root: יָשָׁר 
Sense: straight, upright, correct, right.
לְמֹ֣צְאֵי  to  those  who  find 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: מָצָא  
Sense: to find, attain to.
דָֽעַת  knowledge 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: דַּעַת 
Sense: knowledge.