Psalms 94:8 — Word Study
WLCבִּ֭ינוּ בֹּעֲרִ֣ים בָּעָ֑ם וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים מָתַ֥י תַּשְׂכִּֽילוּ׃
BSATake noticebîyn [consider, understand] O senselessbâʻar [brutish, stupid] among the peopleʻam [a nation, a community] O foolskᵉçîyl [stupid, silly ones] whenmâthay [how long, at what time] will you be wisesâkal▸ [prudent, thoughtful]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בִּ֭ינוּ | understand | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine plural |
| בֹּעֲרִ֣ים | O stupid [ones] | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine plural |
| בָּעָ֑ם | among the people | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים | and O fools | Conjunction |
| מָתַ֥י | when? | Particle |
| תַּשְׂכִּֽילוּ׃ | will you have insight | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect second person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Take notice, O senseless among the people! O fools, when will you be wise? |
| KJV | Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? |
| ASV | Consider, ye brutish among the people; And ye fools, when will ye be wise? |
| YLT | Consider, ye brutish among the people, And ye foolish, when do ye act wisely? |
| WEB | Consider, you senseless among the people; you fools, when will you be wise? |
| BBE | Give your mind to my words, you who are without wisdom among the people; you foolish men, when will you be wise? |
Where they part company is בִּ֭ינוּ — see How Translations Differ.
The verse is structured around a main imperative call, with additional phrases that address the audience and pose a question about their wisdom.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבִּין
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 — Psalms 94:8
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 — A Call to Understandgenerated
Psalm 94:8 is part of a psalm that addresses the folly of those who believe God is indifferent to their actions. The psalmist questions the wisdom of those who do not recognize God's power and authority, emphasizing the need for discernment among the people. This section serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding God's ways and the consequences of foolishness.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 49:10 | For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others. |
| 2 | Psalm 73:22 | I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You. |
| 3 | Psalm 92:6 | A senseless man does not know, and a fool does not understand, |
| 4 | Proverbs 12:1 | Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. |
| 5 | Isaiah 27:11 | When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בִּ֭ינוּ, Bi.nugenerated
The Hebrew verb בִּין (biyn) means to understand or discern. It encompasses a range of meanings, including perceiving, considering, and teaching. The imperative form here calls the audience to actively engage in understanding, highlighting the necessity of mental separation and insight.
This call to understanding is crucial in the context of the psalm, as it emphasizes the need for the foolish to gain insight and recognize the truth about God. The use of the word in this imperative form suggests urgency and the expectation of a response.
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 several clauses, with the main call to action being the imperative verb בִּ֭ינוּ, understand. This verb leads the structure, followed by a series of phrases that describe the audience and their condition.
The syntax emphasizes the urgency of the call to the foolish and senseless, drawing attention to their need for insight and wisdom. The arrangement of the phrases highlights the relationship between the speaker's call and the audience's response.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, בִּ֭ינוּ is rendered as σύνετε (sýnate), which also means to understand. This choice indicates a direct translation that maintains the imperative nature of the call, urging the audience to grasp the message.
The use of σύνετε aligns with the broader Greek understanding of insight and comprehension, reflecting the same urgency found in the Hebrew text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 94:8 calls out to those who are foolish and senseless, urging them to understand and gain wisdom. The psalmist challenges the people to think deeply about their actions and recognize God's authority, emphasizing the importance of insight and discernment.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Being senseless refers to a lack of understanding or awareness, particularly in relation to God's presence and authority.
The term 'fools' highlights their rejection of wisdom and understanding, emphasizing the foolishness of ignoring God's truth.
The call to understand is significant as it urges the audience to reflect on their beliefs and actions, encouraging them to seek wisdom and discernment.
We can apply this verse by being mindful of our understanding and seeking wisdom in our decisions, recognizing the importance of discernment in our lives.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to seek greater understanding and wisdom?
- How can I help others who may be acting foolishly to gain insight?
- What steps can I take to ensure I am not being senseless in my own decisions?
- How does recognizing God's authority influence my understanding of wisdom?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers, such as Augustine, reference this verse to discuss the nature of wisdom and understanding in relation to God. Their quotations highlight the importance of discernment among the people.
What is the topmost pinnacle of the building we are striving to construct? How far does the top of our edifice reach? I'll tell you straightaway: as far as the sight of God.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 94 →
"Take heed now, you that are unwise among the people: O you fools, some time understand!" [Psalms 94:8].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 94 →
Take care, then, to avoid what the great apostle sets forth so fearfully, and when you feel that you do not understand, make an immediate act of faith in what is divinely revealed, that there is both free will in humans and grace from God;Early Church Fathers on Psalms 94 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 94:8 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleUnderstand, ye brutish among the people,.... Or the most brutish and stupid of all people; especially that profess themselves to be the people of God, or Christians, as the Papists do; and who seem
Read John Gill on Psalms 94 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryUnderstand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? Understand, ye brutish among the people.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 94 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleYou who, though you think yourselves the wisest of men, yet in truth are the most brutish of all people; for the Hebrews oft express their superlatives in this manner, as , &c. You that have only the shape, but not the understanding, of a man in you.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 94 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 94:8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and [ye] fools, when will ye be wise?Ver. 8. Understand, ye brutish] Ye that are ringleaders to the rest, but no wiser than the reasonless creatures; yea, therefore worse, because ye ought to be better. Polybius complaineth of man’ s folly, above that of other creatures, in those words, Caeterae animantes ubi semel offenderint, cavent; non vulpes ad laqueum, lupus ad foveam, cants ad fustem temere redibunt; Solus homo ab aeve ad aevum peccat fere in iisdem.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 94 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8-10) The reality of a Divine Providence is proved both from nature and history—from the physical constitution of man and the moral government of the world. The psalmist’s question is as powerful against modern atheism, under whatever philosophy it shelters itself, as against that of his day. Whatever the source of physical life or moral sense, their existence proves the prior existence of an original mind and will.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 94 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 8. Understand, ye brutish] These are the same expressions as in Psalms 92:6, on which see the note. See Clarke on Psalms 92:6.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 94 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges8–11. From pleading with God the Psalmist turns to argue with those of his fellow-countrymen who are tempted to agree with their oppressors, and to think that Jehovah is wanting either in power or in will to defend them.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 94 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleUnderstand, ye brutish among the people - See Psalms 73:22. The meaning here is, “You who are like the brutes; you who see and understand no more of the character and plans of God than the wild
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 94 →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
Take notice, O senseless among the people! O fools, when will you be wise?
Consider, you senseless among the people; you fools, when will you be wise?
Take notice, O senseless among the people! O fools, when will you be wise?
Take notice of this, you ignorant people! You fools, when will you ever understand?
Tyndale line
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
Consider, ye brutish among the people; And ye fools, when will ye be wise?
Consider, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
Vnderstande ye vnwise among the people: and ye fooles, when will ye be wise?
Strictly literal
Understand, ye brutish among the people; and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
Consider, ye brutish among the people, And ye foolish, when do ye act wisely?
Consider, you brutish among the people, || And you foolish, when do you act wisely?
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye become intelligent!
Understand, you stupid people! You fools, when will you ever learn?
From the Latin
Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts:
Simplified
Take another look, you stupid people! Fools—when will you ever get the point?
Give your mind to my words, you who are without wisdom among the people; you foolish men, when will you be wise?
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 agree closely in their wording, with all six words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls, however, show some restoration, with one word partially restored and others supplied by an editor. This indicates that while the core message remains intact, there are textual variations in the ancient witnesses.
בִּ֭ינוּ בֹּעֲרִ֣ים בָּעָ֑ם וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים מָתַ֥י תַּשְׂכִּֽילוּ׃
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.
[בינו] [בערים] בעם [וכסילים] [מתי] תשכילו
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 4 supplied entire by an editor.
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 Psalms 94:8
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.
בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
בִּין vb. discern
Qal
perceive
understand, know (with mind)
observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
have discernment, insight, understanding
Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
Po. he attentively considereth him
Hiph.
understand
give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
give understanding, make understand, teach
Hithp.
shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
get understanding, understand
shew oneself to have understanding
base
H995 בִּין discern .. perceive
. understand, know (with mind)
. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
. have discernment, insight, understanding
. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
. he attentively considereth him
. . understand
. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
. give understanding, make understand, teach
. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
. get understanding, understand
. shew oneself to have understanding
995 biyn bene
a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),
i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,
diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,
have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be
prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,
make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)
wise(-ly, man).
בִּין (bin) — to understand.
1) to discern, understand, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to perceive, discern
1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)
1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider
1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding
1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to understand
1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach
1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently
1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct
2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
V-Qal-Impv-2mp — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine pluralHVqv2mp
The Hebrew word בָּעַר (ba'ar) has two primary meanings: to burn or consume, and to be brutish or stupid. It encompasses actions related to fire, such as kindling and burning, as well as figurative uses like consuming guilt. Additionally, it can denote a state of dullness or lack of receptiveness. The lexicons provide various nuances, particularly in how the burning aspect can relate to wrath or destruction.
[בָּעַר] vb. burn, consume
Qal burn
Pi.
kindle
burn
fig. consume, utterly remove
Pu. burn (i.e. be supplied with fire), of fire-jar
Hiph.
kindle
burn up
base
[בָּעַר] vb. denom. be brutish
Qal be stupid, dull-hearted, unreceptive
Niph. brutish, stupid
Pi. feed, graze
Hiph. cause to be grazed over
base
H1197a [בָּעַר] burn, consume .burn
. . kindle
. burn
. fig. consume, utterly remove
. burn (i.e. be supplied with fire), of fire-jar
. . kindle
. burn up
H1197b [בָּעַר] vb. denom. be brutish .be stupid, dull-hearted, unreceptive
. brutish, stupid
. feed, graze
. cause to be grazed over
1197 ba`ar baw-ar'
a primitive root; to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by
eating); also (as denominative from 1198) to be(-come)
brutish:--be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to)
eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set ((on fire)), waste.
see HEBREW for 01198
בָּעַר (ba.ar) — to burn: burn.
: burn/ignite
1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning
1a2) to burn, be burning
1a3) to burn, consume
1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to kindle, burn
1b2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.)
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to kindle
1c2) to burn up
1c3) to consume (destroy)
1d) (Pual) to burn
בָּעַר (ba.ar) — be brutish.
v denom
1) to be stupid, brutish, barbarous
1a) (Qal) to be stupid, dull-hearted, unreceptive
1b) (Niphal) to be stupid, dull-hearted
1c) (Piel) to feed, graze
1d) (Hiphil) to cause to be grazed over
בָּעַר (ba.ar) — to burn: destroy.
: destroy
1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning
1a2) to burn, be burning
1a3) to burn, consume
1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to kindle, burn
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine pluralHVqrmpa
עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
a people, nation
= smaller units
= common people
people in gen., persons
phrases
base
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
base
H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)
5971 `am am
from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a
tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,
people.
see HEBREW for 06004
עַם (am) — people.
: people/nation
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — kinsman.
kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Ammi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — People's (Gate).
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.
Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Amaw.
This name means nation, people
עַם (am) — people: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — people: creatures.
: creatures
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
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…
כְּסִיל (kciyl) refers to a fool or a stupid person. It is derived from a root meaning 'fat' and is used figuratively to describe someone who is foolish, simple-minded, or arrogant. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing a lack of wisdom or understanding.
כְּסִיל 70 n.m. stupid fellow, dullard, fool
base
H3684 כְּסִיל
3684 kciyl kes-eel'
from 3688; properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or
silly:--fool(-ish).
see HEBREW for 03688
כְּסִיל (ke.sil) — fool.
fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one
Conj | Adj — ConjunctionHC/Aampa
- All men are, without the knowledge of God
- Deny God
Ps 14:1; 53:1
- Blaspheme God
- Reproach God
- Make a mock at sin
- Despise instruction
מָתַי (mathay) is an adverb meaning 'when?' It is derived from an unused root that suggests extension, particularly in relation to time. The word is used interrogatively to ask about timeframes, such as 'how long?' or 'until when?'. It appears in contexts that require a temporal inquiry.
מָתַי 43 interrog.adv. when?
base
H4970 מָתַי when?
4970 mathay maw-thah'ee
from an unused root meaning to extend; properly, extent (of
time); but used only adverbially (especially with other
particle prefixes), when (either relative or
interrogative):--long, when.
מָתַי (ma.tay) — how.
1) when?
1a) with prep
1a1) against when?, until when?, how long?, after how long?
Part — ParticleHTi
The Hebrew word שָׂכַל (*sakal*) is a primitive root meaning to be prudent or circumspect. It encompasses a range of meanings including to consider, understand, teach, and prosper. The word can also refer to laying something crosswise in its Piel form. Notably, it appears in contexts that emphasize insight and wisdom.
שָׂכַל vb. be prudent
Qal be prudent, circumspect
Hiph.
look at
give attention to, consider, ponder
have insight, comprehension
cause to consider, give insight, teach
act circumspectly, prudently
H7919a שָׂכַל be prudent .be prudent, circumspect
. . look at
. give attention to, consider, ponder
. have insight, comprehension
. cause to consider, give insight, teach
. act circumspectly, prudently
. prosper, have success
. cause to prosper
H7919b שָׂכַל Pi. lay crosswise
7919 sakal saw-kal'
a primitive root; to be (causatively, make or act)
circumspect and hence, intelligent:--consider, expert,
instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful),
have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing),
wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(- ly), guide
wittingly.
שָׂכַל (sa.khal) — be prudent.
1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper
1a) (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to look at or upon, have insight
1b2) to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent
1b3) to have insight, have comprehension
1b3a) insight, comprehension (subst)
1b4) to cause to consider, give insight, teach
1b4a) the teachers, the wise
1b5) to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely
1b6) to prosper, have success
1b7) to cause to prosper
Aramaic equivalent: se.khal (שְׂכַל "to contemplate" H7920)
שָׂכַל (sa.khal) — to cross hands.
(Piel) to lay crosswise, cross (hands)
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect second person masculine pluralHVhi2mp