Proverbs 14:18 — Word Study
WLCנָחֲל֣וּ פְתָאיִ֣ם אִוֶּ֑לֶת וַֽ֝עֲרוּמִ֗ים יַכְתִּ֥רוּ דָֽעַת׃
BSAThe simplepᵉthîy [easily influenced, naive] inheritnâchal■ [take possession of, are given] follyʼivveleth [foolishness, silliness] ◂but the prudentʻârûwm [wise, cunning] are crownedkâthar▸ [surrounded, enclosed] with knowledgedaʻath [understanding, wisdom]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נָחֲל֣וּ | they inherit | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| פְתָאיִ֣ם | naive people | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| אִוֶּ֑לֶת | foolishness | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וַֽ֝עֲרוּמִ֗ים | and sensible [people] | Conjunction |
| יַכְתִּ֥רוּ | they surround | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| דָֽעַת׃ | knowledge | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. |
| KJV | The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. |
| ASV | The simple inherit folly; But the prudent are crowned with knowledge. |
| YLT | The simple have inherited folly, And the prudent are crowned [with] knowledge. |
| WEB | The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. |
| BBE | Foolish behaviour is the heritage of the simple, but men of good sense are crowned with knowledge. |
Where they part company is אִוֶּ֑לֶת — see How Translations Differ.
Two main clauses linked by a conjunction, highlighting the contrast between the simple and the prudent.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectפֶּתִי
verbנָחַל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 14:18
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Contrasting the Simple and the Prudentgenerated
Proverbs 14:18 presents a contrast between two groups of people: the simple, who inherit folly, and the prudent, who are crowned with knowledge. This verse emphasizes the outcomes of wisdom versus foolishness, reflecting a common theme in Proverbs about the importance of discernment and understanding in life choices. The surrounding verses further illustrate the consequences of behavior, particularly in relation to temper and social standing.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 3:35 | The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame. |
| 2 | Proverbs 11:29 | He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 16:19 | O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of distress, the nations will come to You from the ends of the earth, and they will say, “Our fathers inherited nothing but lies, worthless idols of no benefit at all. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 44:17 | Instead, we will do everything we vowed to do: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and offer drink offerings to her, just as we, our fathers, our kings, and our officials did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and good things, and we saw no disaster. |
| 5 | Matthew 23:29–32 | Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נָחַל, na.cha.Lugenerated
The verb נָחַל (na.cha.Lu) means to inherit or take possession of something. It is used in contexts such as the Israelites inheriting the Promised Land, highlighting a sense of receiving something valuable.
The parsing as a perfect third person common plural indicates that this action is completed and refers to a group. In this verse, it shows that the simple are actively receiving folly as an inheritance.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two main clauses, with the finite verbs נָחַל and יַכְתִּ֥רוּ leading each clause. The first clause describes what the simple inherit, and the second describes what the prudent are surrounded by.
This structure emphasizes the contrast between the two groups and their respective outcomes, with the simple's folly juxtaposed against the prudent's knowledge.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נָחַל as μεριοῦνται, indicating a similar sense of receiving or inheriting. This choice maintains the original meaning while adapting it to the Greek context.
For אִוֶּ֑לֶת, the LXX uses κακίαν, which conveys the idea of evil or badness, slightly broadening the concept of folly to include moral implications.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 14:18 tells us that naive people inherit foolishness, while wise people are surrounded by knowledge. This verse contrasts the outcomes of foolishness and wisdom, showing that the choices we make lead to different results in life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To inherit folly means that naive people are given foolishness as a part of their character or behavior, leading to poor decisions.
The prudent are said to be crowned with knowledge because they surround themselves with wisdom and understanding, which leads to a successful and fulfilling life.
Being naive is seen as negative because it leads to foolishness and poor choices, contrasting sharply with the wisdom of the prudent.
This verse teaches that wisdom is valuable and protective, while foolishness can lead to negative consequences.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life might I be acting naively, and how can I seek wisdom instead?
- How can I surround myself with knowledge and understanding in my daily decisions?
- What are some examples of foolishness I have seen in my life or in others?
- How can I apply the lessons of prudence from this verse to my everyday choices?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 14:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe simple inherit folly,.... It is natural and hereditary to them, they are born like wild asses colts; the foolish sayings and proverbs, customs and practices, of their ancestors, though they have
Read John Gill on Proverbs 14 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The simple inherit folly.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 14 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleInherit folly; they possess it as their inheritance or portion, holding it fast, improving it, delighting and glorying in it. In like manner David took God’ s testimonies for his heritage, , where the word is the same; withal he may imply that folly is natural and hereditary to them. Are crowned with knowledge; they place their honour and happiness in a sound, and practical, and saving knowledge of God, and of their own duty, and therefore earnestly pursue after it, and heartily embrace it.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 14 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 14:18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.Ver. 18. The simple inherit folly.] Acceperunt per successionem seu haereditario iure, so one renders it; they are as wise as their forefathers, and they are resolved to be no wiser. Me ex ea opinione quam a maioribus accepi de cultu deorum, nullius unquam movebit oratio, said Cicero; I will never forsake that way of divine service that I have received from my forefathers, for any man’ s pleasure, or by any man’ s persuasion. The monarch of Morocco told the English ambassador for King John that he had recently read St Paul’ s epistles, which he liked so well, that were he now to choose his religion he would…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 14 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(18) The simple inherit folly.—As weeds spring up in unoccupied soil, so “simple” (Proverbs 1:22) persons, whose minds are unoccupied with good, often become self-willed; while the knowledge which the “prudent” gain by looking well to their steps (Proverbs 14:15) adorns them as a crown.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 14 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleCrowned - The teacher anticipates the truth, and the paradox, of the Stoic saying, “The wise is the only king.”
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 14 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible18. Inherit — Not specifically; rather, acquire, get, gain. Folly is their acquisition. Are crowned with knowledge — Acquire a crown of knowledge; knowledge attained is their glory, ornament, and power.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 14 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The naive inherit folly, but the shrewd are crowned with knowledge.
Tyndale line
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The simple inherit folly; But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The foolish do inherite follie: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Strictly literal
The simple inherit folly; but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The simple have inherited folly, And the prudent are crowned [with] knowledge.
The simple have inherited folly, || And the prudent are crowned [with] knowledge.
The simple inherit folly; but the prudent crown themselves with knowledge.
The naive inherit foolishness, but prudent people are crowned with knowledge.
From the Latin
The childish shall possess folly, and the prudent, shall look for knowledge.
Simplified
The inheritance of stupid people is stupidity, but sensible people are rewarded with knowledge.
Foolish behaviour is the heritage of the simple, but men of good sense are crowned with knowledge.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text states, "נָחֲל֣וּ פְתָאיִ֣ם אִוֶּ֑לֶת וַֽ֝עֲרוּמִ֗ים יַכְתִּ֥רוּ דָֽעַת׃" which translates to, "The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text, matching all six words in a word-by-word correspondence, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. There are no significant differences noted in the Samaritan Pentateuch or the Dead Sea Scrolls for this verse, indicating a strong consistency among these ancient witnesses.
נָחֲל֣וּ פְתָאיִ֣ם אִוֶּ֑לֶת וַֽ֝עֲרוּמִ֗ים יַכְתִּ֥רוּ דָֽעַת׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 14:18
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
נָחַל (nachal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to inherit or take possession. It encompasses various aspects of acquiring property, including dividing land and bequeathing inheritance. The entries detail its uses in different grammatical forms, such as Qal for taking possession and Hiphil for giving as an inheritance. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
נָחַל vb. denom. get or take as a possession
Qal
take possession, inherit
fig. have or get as a possession, property
divide the land for a possession
Pi. divide for a possession
Hithp. possess oneself of land
Hiph.
give as a possession
cause to inherit, give as an inheritance
Hoph. made to possess
base
H5157 נָחַל vb. denom. get or take as a possession
5157 nachal naw-khal'
a primitive root; to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of
descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath,
or (generally) distribute, instate:--divide, have
((inheritance)), take as a heritage, (cause to, give to, make
to) inherit, (distribute for, divide (for, for an, by), give
for, have, leave for, take (for)) inheritance, (have in, cause
to, be made to) possess(-ion).
נָחַל (na.chal) — to inherit.
1) to get as a possession, acquire, inherit, possess
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to take possession, inherit
1a2) to have or get as a possession or property (fig.)
1a3) to divide the land for a possession
1a4) to acquire (testimonies) (fig.)
1b) (Piel) to divide for a possession
1c) (Hithpael) to possess oneself of
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to give as a possession
1d2) to cause to inherit, give as an inheritance
1e) (Hophal) to be allotted, be made to possess
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
פֶּ֫תִי (pethiy) refers to a state of being simple or foolish, with implications of being open-minded or naive. It encompasses both an adjective describing a person as simple-minded and a noun indicating simplicity or lack of wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 1:22. The term is derived from a root meaning to be open or seducible.
פֶּ֫תִי adj. simple, poss. as open-minded
base
[פְּתִי] n.f. simplicity (i.e. lack of wisdom), Pr 1:22.
ref
H6612a פֶּ֫תִי simple, poss. as open-minded H6612b פְּתִי simplicity
6612 pthiy peth-ee'
or pethiy {peh'-thee}; or pthaeiy {peth-aw-ee'}; from 6601;
silly (i.e. seducible):--foolish, simple(-icity, one).
see HEBREW for 06601
פֶּ֫תִי (pe.ti) — simple.
adj
simple, foolish, open-minded
פְּתִי (pe.ti) — simplicity.
simplicity, naivete
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
אִוֶּ֫לֶת (ivveleth) refers to folly or foolishness. It is derived from a root meaning silliness, and is categorized as a feminine noun. The term appears in contexts discussing foolish behavior or actions.
אִוֶּ֫לֶת 25 n.f. folly
base
H200 אִוֶּ֫לֶת
200 'ivveleth iv-veh'-leth
from the same as 191; silliness:--folly, foolishly(-ness).
see HEBREW for 0191
אִוֶּ֫לֶת (iv.ve.let) — folly.
foolishness, folly
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
עָרוּם (aruwm) describes a quality of being crafty, shrewd, or sensible, often with a negative connotation of cunning. The term is derived from a passive form of another root, and it encompasses meanings like subtle and prudent. It appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, highlighting traits that can be both positive and negative.
עָרוּם adj. crafty, shrewd, sensible
base
H6175 עָרוּם crafty, shrewd, sensible
6175 `aruwm aw-room'
passive participle of 6191; cunning (usually in a bad
sense):--crafty, prudent, subtil.
see HEBREW for 06191
עָרוּם (a.rum) — prudent.
1) subtle, shrewd, crafty, sly, sensible
1a) crafty
1b) shrewd, sensible, prudent
Conj | Adj — ConjunctionHC/Aampa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
כָּתַר (kathar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to surround. It can refer to enclosing something in a friendly manner, such as crowning, or in a hostile sense, like besieging. The word has different forms, including the Piel and Hiphil, which emphasize the act of surrounding or encircling.
[כָּתַר] vb. surround (in Pi.)
Pi. of surrounding an enemy
Hiph. throw out crowns, i.e. appear with crowns
base
H3803 כָּתַר surround (in Pi.)
3803 kathar kaw-thar'
a primitive root; to enclose; hence (in a friendly sense) to
crown, (in a hostile one) to besiege; also to wait (as
restraining oneself):--beset round, compass about, be crowned
inclose round, suffer.
כָּתַר (ka.tar) — to surround.
1) to surround
1a) (Piel) to surround
1b) (Hiphil) to surround, encircle
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVhi3mp
דַּ֫עַת (da`ath) means knowledge, encompassing perception, skill, and moral understanding. It is associated with prophetic knowledge and is noted for its divine aspect, particularly in the context of wisdom literature. The entries highlight its use in various forms of knowledge, including discernment and understanding.
דַּ֫עַת n.f. knowledge
knowledge, perception
= skill (in workmanship)
of proph. knowledge
esp. knowledge with moral quality
knowledge possessed by God
esp. in Wisd Lt = discernment, understanding, wisdom
base
H1847 דַּ֫עַת knowledge . . knowledge, perception
. = skill (in workmanship)
. of proph. knowledge
. esp. knowledge with moral quality
. knowledge possessed by God
. esp. in Wisd Lt = discernment, understanding, wisdom
1847 da`ath dah'-ath
from 3045; knowledge:--cunning, (ig-)norantly, know(-ledge),
(un-)awares (wittingly).
see HEBREW for 03045
דַּ֫עַת (da.at) — knowledge.
1) knowledge
1a) knowledge, perception, skill
1b) discernment, understanding, wisdom
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa