Read Proverbs 8 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
8:1-31 {p} The excellency of wisdom which calls to the sons of men
8:32-9:18 {s} …
O you simpletons, understand prudence, and, you fools, be of an understanding heart. Pro 8:5
A simpleton, according to Webster’s, is a person lacking in common sense. Hebrew, however, has five different words to describe the foolish person, from the most innocent progressing to the most depraved. The most innocent is the simpleton, Strong’s H6612, describing the abstract concept of “foolishness,” from Strong’s H6601 פתה pathah, the primary verb meaning, “to be open-minded, naive.” The pictographs are pey + tav + hey.
pey פ, ף = the mouth, thus open, blow, scatter, edge
tav ת = crossed sticks, thus mark, sign, signal, monument
hey ה = man w/ raised arms, thus exclaim, reveal, wonder, worship, breath
The foundation of the verb is from the Hebrew for intercourse, as the woman’s “open mouth” (pey) receives the man’s “post” (tav). To be simple or naive is to receive (pey + tav) into the mind whatever comes before it as a revelation, a wonder (hey), according to the Hebrew Root Words. This is the natural state of children by virtue of their age.
The simple believes every word; but the prudent man looks well to his way. Pro 14:15
Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars; she has prepared her feast, she has mingled her wine; she has also furnished her table. She has sent forth her maidens, she calls on the highest places of the city: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” Pro 9:1-4a
Folly makes this same exact call to the simple in Pro 9:13-16.
In the Hebraic way of doing things, a child at age 13 becomes a son (or daughter) of the commandment (bar or bat mitzvah); Yeshua, however, by the time He was 12, had wisdom which astounded the teachers in the Temple (Luk 2:41-47). This is one of the most important tasks God has entrusted to parents: to help their children respond to the call of wisdom, rather than to the call of folly. The turn from simplicity to wisdom is vital, for if a child is left to his own foolishness, he endangers his very life.
For the waywardness of the simple shall slay them, and the confidence of fools shall destroy them. Pro 1:32
A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. Pro 22:3.
But how do the simple turn from simplicity to wisdom?
The law of YHVH is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of YHVH is sure, making wise the simple. Psa 19:7
The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psa 119:130
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: to know wisdom and instruction, to comprehend the words of understanding, to receive the discipline of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. Pro 1:1-4
This is why God commands parents:
And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates. Deu 6:6-9
If there are questions, this is a good resource:
Bible Curriculum – Christine Miller
Leave a Reply