Bible Encyclopedia: Simple

Jump to: ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

SIMPLE

sim'-p'l: In the Old Testament the uniform tranlation of the Hebrew word pethi (root pathah, "be open"). Like the English word "simple" (etymologically "of one fold"), the Hebrew pethi is used sometimes in a good sense, i.e. "open-minded" (Psalm 19:7; Psalm 116:6; 119:130, possibly in all three cases the sense is neutral rather than positively good), and sometimes in a bad sense (Proverbs 7:7, parallel to "destitute of understanding"; Proverbs 8:5, parallel to "fools" (blockheads); Proverbs 14:15, opposed to prudent). The fundamental idea of pethi seems to be open to influence, i.e. easily influenced. That one open to influence should as a rule be classed with the irreligious is one of many instances in which language is an unwilling witness to the miasmatic moral atmosphere in which we live. The line between moral weakness and moral turpitude, between negative goodness (if indeed such a thing be conceivable) and positive badness, is soon passed.

In the New Testament the word "simple" is found only in Romans 16:18, 19 the King James Version. In the first of these passages it is used to translate akakos (the Revised Version (British and American) "innocent"). In Hebrews 7:26 the King James Version the same word is rendered "harmless," the rendering of the Revised Version (British and American) in this instance being "guileless." This would suit Romans 16:18 better than "innocent." Guilelessness is not a synonym for gullibility; but the guileless are frequently the prey of designing men. In Romans 16:19 the word translated "simple" is akeraios, literally, "unmixed," "sincere" (Trench and Godet; Young, erroneously "hornless" and so "harmless"). "Uncontaminated" seems to be the idea of the apostle. He would have those to whom he wrote "wise as regards good" and not ignorant as regards evil-for that would be impossible, even if desirable-but without that kind of knowledge of evil that comes from engaging in it, as we say, mixing themselves up with it, unalloyed with evil.

W. M. McPheeters

Greek

573. haplous -- simple, single
... simple, single. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: haplous Phonetic Spelling:
(hap-looce') Short Definition: single, simple, sound Definition: single ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/573.htm - 7k

3516. nepios -- an infant, fig. a simple-minded or immature person
... a simple-minded or immature person. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: nepios
Phonetic Spelling: (nay'-pee-os) Short Definition: an infant, child ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3516.htm - 6k

172. akakos -- guileless
... guileless. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: akakos Phonetic Spelling:
(ak'-ak-os) Short Definition: innocent, guileless, simple Definition: innocent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/172.htm - 7k

185. akeraios -- unmixed, pure
... unmixed, pure. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: akeraios Phonetic Spelling:
(ak-er'-ah-yos) Short Definition: simple, unsophisticated, innocent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/185.htm - 7k

4425. ptuon -- a winnowing shovel
... a winnowing shovel. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: ptuon Phonetic
Spelling: (ptoo'-on) Short Definition: a simple wooden pitchfork Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4425.htm - 6k

3387. me tis -- any
... any Or me tis (may tis) from me and tis; whether any -- any (sometimes unexpressed
except by the simple interrogative form of the sentence). see GREEK me. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3387.htm - 6k

2130. eumetadotos -- ready to impart
... is gained, ). If this is indeed the meaning of the , then it transforms
simple 'sharing' into a full-fledged virtue. The teaching ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2130.htm - 7k

2398. idios -- one's own, distinct
... 2398 (a primitive word, ) -- properly, , to the. 2398 ("uniquely one's own")
is "stronger than the simple possessive pronoun ('own'). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2398.htm - 8k

4735. stephanos -- that which surrounds, ie a crown
... a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor
generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, diadema ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4735.htm - 7k

1936. epithesis -- a laying on, an assault
... the laying on of .". This simple procedure looks to the Lord for guidance
and to pass on confirmation of His will. It is the principal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1936.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

6601b. pathah -- to be simple
... 6601a, 6601b. pathah. 6602 . to be simple. Transliteration: pathah Short
Definition: entice. Word Origin denominative verb from ...
/hebrew/6601b.htm - 5k

6612a. pethi -- simple, perhaps open-minded
... 6612, 6612a. pethi. 6612b . simple, perhaps open-minded. Transliteration:
pethi Short Definition: naive. Word Origin from pathah ...
/hebrew/6612a.htm - 5k

6612. pthiy -- simple, perhaps open-minded
... 6611, 6612. pthiy. 6612a . simple, perhaps open-minded. Transliteration: pthiy
Phonetic Spelling: (peth-ee') Short Definition: one. foolish, simplicity, one ...
/hebrew/6612.htm - 5k

6612b. pethi -- simplicity
... simplicity. Transliteration: pethi Short Definition: simple-minded. Word Origin
from pathah Definition simplicity NASB Word Usage simple-minded (1). ...
/hebrew/6612b.htm - 5k

6615. pethiyyuth -- simplicity
... Word Origin from pathah Definition simplicity NASB Word Usage naive (1). simple.
From pthiy; silliness (ie Seducibility) -- simple. see HEBREW pthiy. ...
/hebrew/6615.htm - 6k

3808. lo -- not
... before, or else, ere, except, ignorant, much, less, nay,. Or lowi {lo}; or loh
(Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. ...
/hebrew/3808.htm - 7k

6601. pathah -- to be spacious, wide or open
... A primitive root; to open, ie Be (causatively, make) roomy; usually figuratively
(in a mental or moral sense) to be (causatively, make) simple or (in a ...
/hebrew/6601.htm - 5k

2181. zanah -- to commit fornication, be a harlot
... A primitive root (highly-fed and therefore wanton); to commit adultery (usually
of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ...
/hebrew/2181.htm - 6k

5012. naba -- to prophesy
... A primitive root; to prophesy, ie Speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction
or simple discourse) -- prophesy(-ing), make self a prophet. 5011, 5012. ...
/hebrew/5012.htm - 6k

Library

Simple Trust
... Simple Trust. Still, still, without ceasing, I feel it increasing,. This fervour
of holy desire; And often exclaim,. Let me die in the flame. ...
/.../translations from the french of madame de la mothe guion/simple trust.htm

Whether God is Altogether Simple?
... OF THE SIMPLICITY OF GOD (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether God is altogether simple?
Objection 1: It seems that God is not altogether simple. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether god is altogether simple.htm

Conclusion and this is the Perspicuous, Simple, and Ingenuous ...
... Fifth Head of Doctrine Conclusion And this is the perspicuous, simple, and
ingenuous declaration of the orthodox doctrine respecting the� ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/conclusion and this is the.htm

How the Simple and the Crafty are to be Admonished.
... How the simple and the crafty are to be admonished. (Admonition 12.)
Differently to be admonished are the simple and the insincere. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xi how the simple.htm

The Sacrament of the Altar: the Simple Way a Father Should Present ...
... I. The Ten Commandments: The Simple Way a Father Should Present Them to
His Household VI. The Sacrament of the Altar: The Simple ...
/.../luther/luthers little instruction book/vi the sacrament of the.htm

Whether God is Altogether Simple
... Article Seven Whether God is Altogether Simple. Whether God is Altogether Simple ...
1. It seems that God is not altogether simple. God's creatures resemble him. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article seven whether god is 2.htm

A Simple Sermon for Seeking Souls
... A Simple Sermon for Seeking Souls. ... There is nothing whatever puzzles me more, and
tries my mind more, than the answer to that simple question, What is faith? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/a simple sermon for seeking.htm

Question Three of the Simple Nature of God
... Question Three OF THE SIMPLE NATURE OF GOD. OF THE SIMPLE NATURE OF GOD ... We shall
therefore inquire into the simple nature of God which repels composition. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/question three of the simple.htm

Of the Simple and Unchangeable Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy ...
... Book XI. Chapter 10."Of the Simple and Unchangeable Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost, One God, in Whom Substance and Quality are Identical. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 10 of the simple and.htm

Simple and Compound.
... Book VIII. Chapter IX."Simple and Compound. Then Niceta began as follows:
[814] "Everything that is, is either simple or compound. ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter ix simple and compound.htm

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (a.) Single; not complex; not infolded or entangled; uncombined; not compounded; not blended with something else; not complicated; as, a simple substance; a simple idea; a simple sound; a simple machine; a simple problem; simple tasks.

2. (a.) Plain; unadorned; as, simple dress.

3. (a.) Mere; not other than; being only.

4. (a.) Not given to artifice, stratagem, or duplicity; undesigning; sincere; true.

5. (a.) Artless in manner; unaffected; unconstrained; natural; inartificial;; straightforward.

6. (a.) Direct; clear; intelligible; not abstruse or enigmatical; as, a simple statement; simple language.

7. (a.) Weak in intellect; not wise or sagacious; of but moderate understanding or attainments; hence, foolish; silly.

8. (a.) Not luxurious; without much variety; plain; as, a simple diet; a simple way of living.

9. (a.) Humble; lowly; undistinguished.

10. (a.) Without subdivisions; entire; as, a simple stem; a simple leaf.

11. (a.) Not capable of being decomposed into anything more simple or ultimate by any means at present known; elementary; thus, atoms are regarded as simple bodies. Cf. Ultimate, a.

12. (a.) Homogenous.

13. (a.) Consisting of a single individual or zooid; as, a simple ascidian; -- opposed to compound.

14. (a.) Something not mixed or compounded.

15. (n.) A medicinal plant; -- so called because each vegetable was supposed to possess its particular virtue, and therefore to constitute a simple remedy.

16. (n.) A drawloom.

17. (n.) A part of the apparatus for raising the heddles of a drawloom.

18. (n.) A feast which is not a double or a semidouble.

19. (v. i.) To gather simples, or medicinal plants.

Thesaurus

Simple (40 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Single; not complex; not infolded or entangled; uncombined; not compounded;
not blended with something else; not complicated; as, a simple substance; a ...
/s/simple.htm - 21k

Simple-minded (4 Occurrences)
Simple-minded. Simplehearted, Simple-minded. Simpleness . ... (a.) Artless; guileless;
simple-hearted; undesigning; unsuspecting; devoid of duplicity. ...
/s/simple-minded.htm - 7k

Naive (16 Occurrences)
... NIV). Proverbs 1:4 To make the simple-minded sharp, and to give the young
man knowledge, and serious purpose: (See NAS). Proverbs ...
/n/naive.htm - 10k

Thoughtless (17 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? ... Proverbs 8:5 O ye
simple, understand prudence; And, ye fools, be of an understanding heart. ...
/t/thoughtless.htm - 10k

Simpleness (2 Occurrences)
... (n.) The quality or state of being simple; simplicity. ... (DBY). Proverbs 9:6 Forsake
ye, the simple, and live, And be happy in the way of understanding. (See RSV). ...
/s/simpleness.htm - 7k

Simplicity (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The quality or state of being simple, unmixed,
or uncompounded; as, the simplicity of metals or of earths. ...
/s/simplicity.htm - 13k

Year (4027 Occurrences)
... distinct factors constituting the essential features of the Jubilee Year: personal
liberty, restitution of property, and what we might call the simple life. ...
/y/year.htm - 26k

Prudent (40 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV). Proverbs 14:15 A simple man believes
everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways. ...
/p/prudent.htm - 20k

Jubilee (25 Occurrences)
... distinct factors constituting the essential features of the Jubilee Year: personal
liberty, restitution of property, and what we might call the simple life. ...
/j/jubilee.htm - 27k

Godhead (5 Occurrences)
... god'-hed: The word "Godhead" is a simple doublet of the less frequently occurring
"Godhood." Both forms stand side by side in the Ancren Riwle (about 1225 AD ...
/g/godhead.htm - 22k

Bible Concordance

Simple (40 Occurrences)

Matthew 10:16 Lo, I do send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, be ye therefore wise as the serpents, and simple as the doves.
(YLT)

Luke 11:34 The lamp of the body is thine eye: when thine eye is simple, thy whole body also is light; but when it is wicked, thy body also is dark.
(DBY YLT)

Acts 28:2 And the simple people living there were uncommonly kind to us, for they made a fire for us, and took us in, because it was raining and cold.
(BBE)

Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
(KJV WEY WBS RSV)

Romans 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
(KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS)

1 Corinthians 14:16 Since otherwise, if thou blessest with the spirit, how shall he who fills the place of the simple Christian say Amen, at thy giving of thanks, since he does not know what thou sayest?
(DBY)

1 Corinthians 14:23 If therefore the whole assembly come together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and simple persons enter in, or unbelievers, will not they say ye are mad?
(DBY)

1 Corinthians 14:24 But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or simple person come in, he is convicted of all, he is judged of all;
(DBY)

2 Corinthians 9:11 Your wealth being increased in everything, with a simple mind, causing praise to God through us.
(BBE)

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I have a fear, that in some way, as Eve was tricked by the deceit of the snake, your minds may be turned away from their simple and holy love for Christ.
(BBE)

2 Corinthians 11:6 But if I am a simple person in speech, yet not in knowledge, but in everything making the truth manifest in all things to you.
(DBY)

Philippians 2:15 that ye may be harmless and simple, irreproachable children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation; among whom ye appear as lights in the world,
(DBY)

Titus 2:2 That old men are to be simple in their tastes, serious, wise, true in faith, in love, and of a quiet mind.
(BBE)

Hebrews 5:12 And though by this time it would be right for you to be teachers, you still have need of someone to give you teaching about the first simple rules of God's revelation; you have become like babies who have need of milk, and not of solid food.
(BBE)

Exodus 18:22 Let them judge the people at all times. It shall be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge themselves. So shall it be easier for you, and they shall share the load with you.
(See NIV)

Exodus 18:26 They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard causes to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
(See NIV)

2 Kings 20:10 And Hezekiah said in answer, It is a simple thing for the shade to go forward; but let it go back ten degrees.
(BBE NIV)

Job 5:2 For resentment kills the foolish man, and jealousy kills the simple.
(WEB DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 19:7 Yahweh's law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh's testimony is sure, making wise the simple.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 116:6 Yahweh preserves the simple. I was brought low, and he saved me.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 119:130 The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 1:4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Proverbs 1:22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 1:32 For the backsliding of the simple will kill them. The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Proverbs 7:7 I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Proverbs 7:22 The simple man goes after her, like an ox going to its death, like a roe pulled by a cord;
(BBE)

Proverbs 8:5 You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Proverbs 9:4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Proverbs 9:6 Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."
(WEB ASV BBE YLT RSV NIV)

Proverbs 9:13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
(KJV ASV WBS YLT)

Proverbs 9:16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." as for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Proverbs 14:15 A simple man believes everything, but the prudent man carefully considers his ways.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Proverbs 14:18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Proverbs 15:17 Better is a simple meal where love is, than a fat ox and hate with it.
(BBE)

Proverbs 19:25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Proverbs 21:11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 45:20 So you shall do on the seventh day of the month for everyone who errs, and for him who is simple: so you shall make atonement for the house.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Hosea 7:11 And Ephraim is as a simple dove without heart, Egypt they called on -- 'to' Asshur they have gone.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Simple

Simple and Simplicity

Related Terms

Simple-minded (4 Occurrences)

Naive (16 Occurrences)

Thoughtless (17 Occurrences)

Simpleness (2 Occurrences)

Simplicity (12 Occurrences)

Year (4027 Occurrences)

Prudent (40 Occurrences)