Bible Strands
Proverbs 9:4
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The speaker calls out from the city heights, addressing the simple and the one lacking judgment. She issues a direct summons for them to approach her.
The words — The Hebrew פֶתִי (pethi) denotes the naive person, while חֲסַר־לֵב (chasar lev) literally means lacking heart or judgment. The verb יָסֻר (yasur) commands this group to turn aside or come near.
The thread — The exact phrasing repeats in Proverbs 9:16, while Proverbs 8:5 addresses the simple with a different command to learn shrewdness. The phrase lacking judgment also appears in Proverbs 6:32 regarding the consequences of adultery.
Why it lands — The text demands a conscious decision to abandon current paths and approach the offered instruction. It requires the reader to recognize their own lack of judgment and respond to the summons.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Cross-references
- Proverbs 6:32 He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.
- Proverbs 8:5 O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.
- Proverbs 9:16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.
- Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
- Psalms 19:7 The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.
- Psalms 119:130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.
- Proverbs 1:22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?
- Revelation 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
- Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.