Proverbs 9:15 — Word Study
WLCלִקְרֹ֥א לְעֹֽבְרֵי־ דָ֑רֶךְ הַֽ֝מְיַשְּׁרִ֗ים אֹֽרְחוֹתָֽם׃
BSAcalling outqârâʼ [to invite, summon] to those who pass byʻâbar [travelers, journeying on] who makeyâshar [smooth, straighten] their paths {straight}ʼôrach [ways, journeys, right, upright, pleasant]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לִקְרֹ֥א | to call out | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| לְעֹֽבְרֵי־ | to [those who] pass by of | Preposition, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common |
| דָ֑רֶךְ | [the] road | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| הַֽ֝מְיַשְּׁרִ֗ים | those [who] make straight | Particle, verb piel participle (active) masculine plural |
| אֹֽרְחוֹתָֽם׃ | paths their | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight. |
| KJV | To call passengers who go right on their ways: |
| ASV | To call to them that pass by, Who go right on their ways: |
| YLT | To call to those passing by the way, Who are going straight [on] their paths. |
| WEB | to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways, |
| BBE | Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says: |
The translations agree that Wisdom is calling out to those who pass by.
The main action is calling out, with two phrases providing context about the audience and their actions.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
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 9:15
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 — The Call of Wisdomgenerated
Proverbs 9:15 depicts Wisdom as a figure who calls out to those passing by, inviting them to consider her guidance. This passage emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom in life’s journey, contrasting the paths of the wise and the foolish. The surrounding verses illustrate the setting of Wisdom's call, highlighting the urgency and necessity of heeding her invitation.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 7:13–15 | She seizes him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him: |
| 2 | Proverbs 23:27–28 | For a prostitute is a deep pit, and an adulteress is a narrow well. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — לִקְרֹ֥א, lik.Ro'generated
The Hebrew verb קָרָא (qara') means to call out, invite, or summon. It is used in various contexts, including calling for help or proclaiming something important. In this verse, it conveys the action of Wisdom reaching out to those who are traveling, urging them to stop and listen.
This verb is in the infinitive construct form, indicating purpose or intent. It emphasizes that Wisdom is actively calling out, seeking to engage those who pass by, thus highlighting her role in guiding individuals on their paths.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree that Wisdom is calling out to those who pass by.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is לִקְרֹ֥א, to call out, which governs the entire structure. It introduces the action of Wisdom calling out, followed by a prepositional phrase that specifies to whom she is calling.
The sentence structure emphasizes the action of calling, with the participial phrase הַֽ֝מְיַשְּׁרִ֗ים, those who make straight, providing additional information about the travelers being addressed.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates לִקְרֹ֥א as προσκαλουμένη, which implies an invitation or summoning. This choice indicates a direct engagement with the audience, emphasizing the active role of Wisdom in reaching out.
The Greek word κατευθύνοντας for הַֽ֝מְיַשְּׁרִ֗ים suggests a guiding action, reinforcing the idea that Wisdom not only calls but also directs those who heed her call.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 9:15 shows Wisdom calling out to travelers who pass by, inviting them to make their paths straight. This verse highlights the importance of seeking guidance and direction in life, as Wisdom offers clarity and purpose to those on their journeys.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Wisdom calling out signifies an invitation to seek guidance and understanding, urging individuals to pay attention to the path they are on.
The 'passersby' represent those who are journeying through life, potentially unaware of the wisdom available to them.
This verse reflects the broader theme of Proverbs, which emphasizes the pursuit of wisdom and the importance of making righteous choices in life.
Making one's path straight refers to living a life that aligns with wisdom and righteousness, ensuring that one's choices lead to positive outcomes.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I seek wisdom in my daily life?
- How can I be more attentive to the guidance offered by wisdom?
- What are some paths I have taken that could have benefited from wisdom's direction?
- How can I help others recognize and follow the call of wisdom in their lives?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Bede comments on this verse, noting how Wisdom calls out to guide passersby, contrasting her invitation with the deception of heresy.
To call passersby who walk by the way, etc. Heresy often calls the Catholics to deception, seeing them proceed on the right path, wishing to quickly pass through this world and hasten to the eternal homeland.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 9 →
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 9:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTo call passengers who go right on their ways. Who have been religiously educated, and trained up in the principles of true Christianity; and who walk outwardly according to the rule of the divine
Read John Gill on Proverbs 9 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryTo call passengers who go right on their ways: To call passengers who go right on their ways - literally, 'who are making right their ways.' Her chief aim is to seduce the godly, or those inclined to
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 9 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWho were going innocently and directly about their business without any unchaste design; for others needed none of those invitations or offers, but went to her of their own accord. And besides, such lewd persons take a greater pleasure in corrupting the innocent.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 9 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 9:15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:Ver. 15. That go right on their way.] She fights at the fairest, seeks to seduce the forwardest. "They shall deceive, if it were possible, the very elect." Flies settle upon the sweetest perfumes when they are cold, and corrupt them.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 9 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges15. who go right on their ways] who are not putting themselves in the way of temptation by loitering or straying into by-ways, but who, though in the path of duty, are unwary and unsuspecting, and so need warning.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 9 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible15. To call passengers — This is her object, to draw even those aside into her haunts of folly and impurity who are going straight forward to the school of wisdom and virtue.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 9 →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
calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,
calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.
calling out to those who are passing by her in the way, who go straight on their way.
Tyndale line
To call passengers who go right on their ways:
To call to them that pass by, Who go right on their ways:
To call to them that pass by, who go right on their ways,
To call passengers who go right on their ways:
To call them that passe by the way, that go right on their way, saying,
Strictly literal
to call passers-by who go right on their ways:
To call to those passing by the way, Who are going straight [on] their paths.
To call to those passing by the way, || Who are going straight [on] their paths.
To call the wayfarers who go straight forward on their paths.
She is calling out to those who pass by in the streets, to people walking straight on their way.
From the Latin
To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:
Simplified
calling out to those passing by, going about their business,
Crying out to those who go by, going straight on their way, she says:
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 and the Septuagint share similarities in this verse, with three of the five words matching. This indicates a level of agreement in the core message, though the Septuagint's word order and articles differ from the Hebrew.
לִקְרֹ֥א לְעֹֽבְרֵי־ דָ֑רֶךְ הַֽ֝מְיַשְּׁרִ֗ים אֹֽרְחוֹתָֽם׃
3 of the 5 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 9:15
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.
The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read
Qal
call, cry, utter a loud sound
call, cry
call unto some one
cry for help
proclaim
read aloud
read to oneself
summon
call = name
Niph.
reflex.
pass. be called
Pu. be called
base
H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound
. call, cry
. . call unto some one
. cry for help
. proclaim
. . read aloud
. read to oneself
. summon
. call = name
. . reflex.
. pass. be called
. be called
7121 qara' kaw-raw'
a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea
of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,
address by name, but used in a wide variety of
applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,
forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,
mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),
pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
see HEBREW for 07122
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.
: call_to/invite/entreat
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow
1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to call oneself
1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named
1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.
: call_by/name
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
The Hebrew word עָבַר (abar) is a versatile verb meaning to pass over, through, or by, and it encompasses a range of actions including crossing, traversing, and alienating. It can also imply causing something to pass or be transferred, as well as emotional states like anger in its Hithpael form. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, though they do not provide specific verse references.
עָבַר 648 vb. pass over, through, by, pass on
Qal
pass over
Pass beyond
Pass through, traverse
pass along by
pass by
sweep by, of scourge
be past, over, of time
pass along (from hand to hand)
Pass on, go on
Pass away
Niph. Impf. a stream which cannot be forded
Pi.
his bull impregnateth
cause one to cross river
cause something to pass over
make over to
devote children to (לְ) heathen god
pass along (from hand to hand)
cause to pass through
let pass through
cause to pass by
let pass by
cause arrow to pass beyond
cause to pass under rod, for counting
cause to pass away, take away
Hiph.
cause to pass over, bring over
he made to pass across with chains of gold
base
[עָבַר] vb. denom. Hithp. be arrogant, infuriate oneself
base
H5674a עָבַר pass over, through, by, pass on .. pass over
. Pass beyond
. Pass through, traverse
. . pass along by
. pass by
. sweep by, of scourge
. be past, over, of time
. pass along (from hand to hand)
. Pass on, go on
. Pass away
. Impf. a stream which cannot be forded
. . his bull impregnateth . cause one to cross river
. cause something to pass over
. make over to
. devote children to (לְ) heathen god
. pass along (from hand to hand)
. . cause to pass through
. let pass through
. . cause to pass by
. let pass by
. cause arrow to pass beyond
. cause to pass under rod, for counting
. cause to pass away, take away
. . cause to pass over, bring over
. he made to pass across with chains of gold
H5674b עָבַר vb. denom. Hithp. be arrogant, infuriate oneself
5674 `abar aw-bar'
a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any
transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive,
intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
copulation):--alienate, alter, X at all, beyond, bring (over,
through), carry over, (over-)come (on, over), conduct (over),
convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail,
gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way,
in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle,
overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over)
pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over,
through), (cause to, make) + proclaim(-amation), perish,
provoke to anger, put away, rage, + raiser of taxes, remove,
send over, set apart, + shave, cause to (make) sound, X
speedily, X sweet smelling, take (away), (make to)
transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-)faring man, be
wrath.
עָבַר (a.var) — to pass.
1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over
1a2) to pass beyond
1a3) to pass through, traverse
1a3a) passers-through (participle)
1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant)
1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by
1a4a) passer-by (participle)
1a4b) to be past, be over
1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance
1a6) to pass away
1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory)
1a6b) to vanish
1a6c) to perish, cease to exist
1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree)
1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands
1b) (Niphal) to be crossed
1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross
1d) (Hiphil)
Prep | V-Qal — Preposition · verb qal participle (active) masculine plural commonHR/Vqrmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.
דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner
way, road, path
journey
of direction, almost or quite = toward
way, manner
fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
of moral action and character
of duty
specif.: in good sense
oftener in bad sense
way of י׳
base
H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path
. journey
. of direction, almost or quite = toward
. way, manner
. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
. . of moral action and character
. of duty
. specif.: in good sense
. oftener in bad sense
. way of י׳
1870 derek deh'-rek
from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of
life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because
of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,
passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),
whither(-soever).
see HEBREW for 01869
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.
: conduct/lifestyle
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.
This name means way, road
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.
This name means way, road
Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.
: direction
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.
: road/route
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.
: journey
HNcbsa — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
Road
(1 Sam. 27:10; R.V., “raid”), an inroad, an incursion. This word is never used in Scripture in the sense of a way or path.
This word occurs but once in the Authorized Version of the Bible, viz. in (1 Samuel 37:10) where it is used in the sense of "raid" or "inroad." Where a travelled road is meant "path" or "way" is used, since the eastern roads are more like our paths.
יָשַׁר (yashar) is a Hebrew root meaning to be smooth, straight, or right. It encompasses various nuances, including being upright, pleasing, and just. The word can also imply directing or leading someone along a straight path. Notably, it appears in ethical contexts, emphasizing straightforwardness and integrity.
יָשַׁר vb. be smooth, straight, right
Qal
go straight
fig., be pleasing, agreeable, right
in ethical sense, straightforward, upright
Pi.
make smooth, straight
lead straight along, direct
esteem right, approve
Pu. gold made level, laid smoothly out, upon the graven work
Hiph. let thine eyelids look straight before thee
base
H3474 יָשַׁר be smooth, straight, right
3474 yashar yaw-shar'
a primitive root; to be straight or even; figuratively, to be
(causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperous:--direct,
fit, seem good (meet), + please (will), be (esteem, go) right
(on), bring (look, make, take the) straight (way), be
upright(-ly).
יָשַׁר (ya.shar) — to smooth.
1) to be right, be straight, be level, be upright, be just, be lawful, be smooth
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go straight
1a2) to be pleasing, be agreeable, be right (fig.)
1a3) to be straightforward, be upright
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make right, make smooth, make straight
1b2) to lead, direct, lead straight along
1b3) to esteem right, approve
1c) (Pual) to be made level, be laid smoothly out
1d) (Hiphil) to make straight, look straight
Art | V-Piel — Particle · verb piel participle (active) masculine pluralHTd/Vprmpa
אֹ֫רַח (orach) means 'way' or 'path,' and can refer to both literal and figurative routes in life, including one's manner of living or character. It also denotes a traveler or wayfarer. The word is derived from a root meaning a well-trodden road, and it encompasses various aspects of life’s journey.
אֹ֫רַח n.m. way, path
lit.
fig. path, way, of course & fortunes of life
fig. way, of mode of living, or character
by meton. traveller, wayfarer
base
H734 אֹ֫רַח way, path . lit.
. fig. path, way, of course & fortunes of life
. fig. way, of mode of living, or character
. by meton. traveller, wayfarer
734 'orach o'-rakh
from 732; a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively);
also a caravan:--manner, path, race, rank, traveller, troop,
(by-, high-)way.
see HEBREW for 0732
אֹ֫רַח (o.rach) — way.
1) way, path
1a) path, road
1b) the path, way, passing of life (fig.)
1c) way of living (fig.)
1d) traveller, wayfarer (meton)
Aramaic equivalent: o.rach (אֹ֫רַח "way" H0735)
N-cp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp3mp