The Meaning of Proverbs 9:4 Explained

Proverbs 9:4

KJV: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

YLT: Who is simple? let him turn aside hither.' Whoso lacketh heart: she hath said to him,

Darby: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. To him that is void of understanding, she saith,

ASV: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: As for him that is void of understanding, she saith to him,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Whoso [is] simple,  let him turn in  hither: [as for] him that wanteth  understanding,  she saith  to him, 

What does Proverbs 9:4 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 9:1-18 - Two Contrasted Invitations
There is an age-long competition between Wisdom and Folly, Virtue and Vice. The palace of Wisdom is very attractive-well built and well furnished. It is reared upon seven well-hewn marble pillars, in a quadrangular form, the entrance being left wide-open. An eternal mansion, it is stable and beautiful. Great preparations are made for the feast, which is open to all-in striking contrast to the private supper to which Vice allures the unwary youth. The beautiful owner also sends forth her maidens into the public thoroughfares to give free invitations to all who will accept them. See Matthew 22:1, etc.
Only to the simple or child-hearted, and not to the scorner, is the invitation addressed. Wisdom lets the scorner pass, because a word to him would only recoil on herself, and would add to his wickedness. To scoff at things which are holy and scorn the divine power is to risk the sin that is never forgiven. Such is the man who enters the feast without the wedding garment. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 9

1  The discipline
4  and the doctrine of wisdom
13  The custom
16  and error of folly

What do the individual words in Proverbs 9:4 mean?

who [is] simple let him turn in here [As for] him lacking understanding she says to him
מִי־ פֶ֭תִי יָסֻ֣ר ! הֵ֑נָּה חֲסַר־ לֵ֝֗ב אָ֣מְרָה לּֽוֹ

מִי־  who  [is] 
Parse: Interrogative
Root: מִי  
Sense: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever.
פֶ֭תִי  simple 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: פֶּתִי 
Sense: simplicity, naivete adj.
יָסֻ֣ר  let  him  turn 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: סוּר 
Sense: to turn aside, depart.
! הֵ֑נָּה  in  here 
Parse: Adverb
Root: הֵנָּה  
Sense: here, there, now, hither.
חֲסַר־  [As  for]  him  lacking 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular construct
Root: חָסֵר  
Sense: in need of, lacking, needy, in want of.
לֵ֝֗ב  understanding 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
אָ֣מְרָה  she  says 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person feminine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
לּֽוֹ  to  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular