Proverbs 1:4 NIV: for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young--

Proverbs 1:4

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◄ Proverbs 1:4 ►

New International Version (© 2011)
for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young--

King James Bible
To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

American Standard Version
To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion:

Young's Literal Translation
For giving to simple ones -- prudence, To a youth -- knowledge and discretion.

Proverbs 1:4 Additional Translations
Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

To give subtilty to the simple - The word simple, from simplex, compounded of sine, without, and plica, a fold, properly signifies plain and honest, one that has no by-ends in view, who is what he appears to be; and is opposed to complex, from complico, to fold together, to make one rope or cord out of many strands; but because honesty and plaindealing are so rare in the world, and none but the truly religious man will practice them, farther than the fear of the law obliges him, hence simple has sunk into a state of progressive deterioration. At first, it signified, as above, without fold, unmixed, uncompounded: this was its radical meaning. Then, as applied to men, it signified innocent, harmless, without disguise; but, as such persons were rather an unfashionable sort of people, it sunk in its meaning to homely, homespun, mean, ordinary. And, as worldly men, who were seeking their portion in this life, and had little to do with religion, supposed that wisdom, wit, and understanding, were given to men that they might make the best of them in reference to the things of this life, the word sunk still lower in its meaning, and signified silly, foolish; and there, to the dishonor of our language and morals, it stands! I have taken those acceptations which I have marked in Italics out of the first dictionary that came to hand - Martin's; but if I had gone to Johnson, I might have added to Silly, not wise, not cunning. Simplicity, that meant at first, as Martin defines it, openness, plaindealing, downright honesty, is now degraded to weakness, silliness, foolishness. And these terms will continue thus degraded, till downright honesty and plaindealing get again into vogue. There are two Hebrew words generally supposed to come from the same root, which in our common version are rendered the simple, פתאים pethaim, and פתים or פתיים pethayim; the former comes from פתא patha, to be rash, hasty; the latter, from פתה pathah, to draw aside, seduce, entice. It is the first of these words which is used here, and may be applied to youth; the inconsiderate, the unwary, who, for want of knowledge and experience, act precipitately. Hence the Vulgate renders it parvulis, little ones, young children, or little children, as my old MS.; or very babes, as Coverdale. The Septuagint renders it ακακοις, those that are without evil; and the versions in general understand it of those who are young, giddy, and inexperienced.

To the young man - נער naar is frequently used to signify such as are in the state of adolescence, grown up boys, very well translated in my old MS. yunge fulwaxen; what we would now call the grown up lads. These, as being giddy and inexperienced, stand in especial need of lessons of wisdom and discretion. The Hebrew for discretion, מזמה mezimmah, is taken both in a good and bad sense, as זם zam, its root, signifies to devise or imagine; for the device may be either mischief, or the contrivance of some good purpose.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

subtilty

Proverbs 1:22,23 How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge...

Proverbs 8:5 O you simple, understand wisdom: and, you fools, be you of an understanding heart.

Proverbs 9:4-6 Whoever is simple, let him turn in here: as for him that wants understanding, she said to him...

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Psalm 119:130 The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Isaiah 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it...

to the

Proverbs 7:7-24 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding...

Proverbs 8:17,32 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me...

Psalm 34:11 Come, you children, listen to me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.