Wisdom and Related Terms

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Does not wisdom call, and understanding raise its voice? (Pro.8:1)

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Introduction:  Wisdom and Related Terms

The Hebrew word for wisdom is chokhmah, from the verb chakham, meaning “to be wise.” It covers a broad area of meaning in the ot. It can refer to the skill or ability of craftsmen or artists (Exod 28:3; 35:10; 36:1–2; Jer 10:9).

Exodus 35:10 GNB
10 “All the skilled workers among you are to come and make everything that the Lord commanded:
Exodus 28:3 GNB
3 Call all the skilled workers to whom I have given ability, and tell them to make Aaron’s clothes, so that he may be dedicated as a priest in my service.

Certain animals are described literally as “very wise” because of the “clever” ways they overcome their weaknesses (Prov 30:24–28).

Most often chokhmah refers to a person’s wise judgment or decision making, which leads to success (Prov 13:17; 14:8; Eccl 8:5; 10:12). Wisdom brings strength and favor; the wise avoid acting recklessly or out of anger (Prov 14:35; 24:5; Eccl 7:19; compare Prov 14:16; 16:14; 29:8, 11).1

Proverbs 13:17 GNB
17 Unreliable messengers cause trouble, but those who can be trusted bring peace.
Proverbs 14:8 GNB
8 Why is a clever person wise? Because he knows what to do. Why is a stupid person foolish? Because he only thinks he knows.
Ecclesiastes 8:5 GNB
5 As long as you obey his commands, you are safe, and a wise person knows how and when to do it.
Ecclesiastes 10:12 GNB
12 What the wise say brings them honour, but fools are destroyed by their own words.

Their four terms of wisdom : Knowledge, Understanding, Instruction, Prudence

Knowledge

Knowledge is closely associated with wisdom (Prov 10:14; 18:15). Like wisdom, knowledge ultimately comes from God (Prov 1:7; 2:6). It can also be learned through instruction or discipline (Prov 12:1; 19:25; 21:11). It is characterized by restraint and accompanies success (Prov 4:4–5; 11:9; 17:27; 19:2; Eccl 7:12).

Proverbs 4:4–5 GNB
4 my father would teach me. He would say, “Remember what I say and never forget it. Do as I tell you, and you will live. 5 Get wisdom and insight! Do not forget or ignore what I say.
Proverbs 11:9 GNB
9 You can be ruined by the talk of godless people, but the wisdom of the righteous can save you.
Proverbs 17:27 GNB
27 Those who are sure of themselves do not talk all the time. People who stay calm have real insight.
Proverbs 19:2 GNB
2 Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good; impatience will get you into trouble.
Ecclesiastes 7:12 GNB
12 and will give you as much security as money can. Wisdom keeps you safe—this is the advantage of knowledge.
Proverbs 12:1 GNB
1 Those who love knowledge want to be told when they are wrong. It is stupid to hate being corrected.
Proverbs 1:7 GNB
7 To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn.
Proverbs 2:6 GNB
6 It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 10:14 GNB
14 The wise get all the knowledge they can, but when fools speak, trouble is not far off.
Proverbs 18:15 GNB
15 Intelligent people are always eager and ready to learn.

Understanding

The Hebrew terms binah and tevunah both mean “understanding” or “discernment.” These terms describe the ability to understand things like righteousness, justice, and piety (Prov 2:5, 9; 28:5).

Proverbs 2:5 GNB
5 If you do, you will know what it means to fear the Lord and you will succeed in learning about God.
Proverbs 2:9 GNB
9 If you listen to me, you will know what is right, just, and fair. You will know what you should do.
Proverbs 28:5 GNB
5 Evil people do not know what justice is, but those who worship the Lord understand it well.

They also describe the ability to correctly choose between options (1 Kgs 3:9; Job 32:9; Prov 14:8).

1 Kings 3:9 GNB
9 So give me the wisdom I need to rule your people with justice and to know the difference between good and evil. Otherwise, how would I ever be able to rule this great people of yours?”
Job 32:9 GNB
9 It is not growing old that makes people wise or helps them to know what is right.
Proverbs 14:8 GNB
8 Why is a clever person wise? Because he knows what to do. Why is a stupid person foolish? Because he only thinks he knows.

Often paralleled with wisdom (Job 12:12; Prov 2:2; 4:5–7), both are attributed to God (Job 12:13; Prov 2:6). The person of understanding is not gullible (Prov 14:15) and gives careful thought to his or her actions (Prov 21:29; 23:1). The person who has understanding is slow to anger and avoids folly, instead preferring wisdom (Prov 10:23; 14:29; 15:21; 17:27).

Proverbs 10:23 GNB
23 It is foolish to enjoy doing wrong. Intelligent people take pleasure in wisdom.
Proverbs 14:29 GNB
29 If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are.
Proverbs 15:21 GNB
21 Stupid people are happy with their foolishness, but the wise will do what is right.
Proverbs 17:27 GNB
27 Those who are sure of themselves do not talk all the time. People who stay calm have real insight.
Proverbs 21:29 GNB
29 Righteous people are sure of themselves; the wicked have to pretend as best they can.
Proverbs 23:1 GNB
1 When you sit down to eat with someone important, keep in mind who he is.
Job 12:13 GNB
Proverbs 2:6 GNB
6 It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding.
Job 12:12 GNB
12 Old people have wisdom, but God has wisdom and power. Old people have insight; God has insight and power to act.
Proverbs 2:2 GNB
2 Listen to what is wise and try to understand it.
Proverbs 4:5–7 GNB
5 Get wisdom and insight! Do not forget or ignore what I say. 6 Do not abandon wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will keep you safe. 7 Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight.

Instruction

The Hebrew term musar means “instruction” or “discipline.” It can refer specifically to the discipline of God or human instruction or discipline (Deut 11:2; Job 5:17; Prov 3:11; Isa 26:16; compare Prov 1:8; 4:1). Instruction is a means of obtaining wisdom (Prov 1:3; 19:20). It provides life, whereas ignoring instruction results in negative consequences (Prov 4:13; 6:23; 10:17; compare Prov 5:23; 13:18; 15:32). The foolish and the wicked hate instruction (Psa 50:17; Prov 15:5). Proverbs also uses the term leqach (“learning”), related it to musar (“instruction”); the person who heeds instruction increases in learning (Prov 9:9).

Proverbs 1:3 GNB
3 They can teach you how to live intelligently and how to be honest, just, and fair.
Proverbs 19:20 GNB
20 If you listen to advice and are willing to learn, one day you will be wise.
Deuteronomy 11:2 GNB
2 Remember today what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him. It was you, not your children, who had these experiences. You saw the Lord’s greatness, his power, his might,
Job 5:17 GNB
17 Happy is the person whom God corrects! Do not resent it when he rebukes you.
Proverbs 3:11 GNB
11 When the Lord corrects you, my son, pay close attention and take it as a warning.

Prudence

The Hebrew verb haskel means “to act wisely” or “to be prudent.”

The prudent person is characterized by restraint of speech and a steady work ethic (Psa 36:3; Prov 10:5; 10:19).

Psalm 36:3 GNB
3 Their speech is wicked and full of lies; they no longer do what is wise and good.
Proverbs 10:5 GNB
5 A sensible person gathers the crops when they are ready; it is a disgrace to sleep through the time of harvest.
Proverbs 10:19 GNB
19 The more you talk, the more likely you are to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet.

The prudent will find favor (Prov 14:35; 17:2). seek God and find His blessing (Psa 14:2; 53:2; Prov 15:24; 16:20).

Psalm 14:2 GNB
2 The Lord looks down from heaven at human beings to see if there are any who are wise, any who worship him.
Psalm 53:2 GNB
2 God looks down from heaven at the human race to see if there are any who are wise, any who worship him.
Proverbs 15:24 GNB
24 Wise people walk the road that leads upwards to life, not the road that leads downwards to death.
Proverbs 16:20 GNB
20 Pay attention to what you are taught, and you will be successful; trust in the Lord and you will be happy.
Proverbs 14:35 GNB
35 Kings are pleased with competent officials, but they punish those who fail them.
Proverbs 17:2 GNB
2 A shrewd servant will gain authority over a master’s worthless son and receive a part of the inheritance.
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