Wisdom, nature of human

Wisdom as human skill

For work on the tabernacle

Exodus 36:1 NASB95

“Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the Lord has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.”

See also Ex 28:3 making the priestly robes; Ex 31:2–6 craftsmanship and design in metalwork, stone, wood, embroidery and weaving; Ex 35:25–26 spinning; Ex 36:8 making and hanging curtains

For work on the temple

1 Chronicles 22:15 NASB95

“Moreover, there are many workmen with you, stonecutters and masons of stone and carpenters, and all men who are skillful in every kind of work.

See also 1 Ch 28:21; 2 Ch 2:7; 2 Ch 2:13–14 Huram-Abi, skilled in bronze work

Other skills

Making idols:

Is 40:20; Je 10:9

Je 9:17 professional mourning; Eze 27:8–9 seamanship

Wisdom as instruction in practical living

Pr 14:8; Ec 12:11

See also Pr 6:6; Pr 10:5; Pr 10:8–9; Pr 19:11; Pr 20:1; Pr 21:20; Pr 29:11; Ec 7:7; Ec 10:12

Wisdom as political astuteness

Wisdom brings political success

Pr 21:22; Ec 9:14–15; Is 10:13; Eze 28:4–5

Wisdom in giving political advice

Ge 41:8; Es 1:13; Is 19:11; Je 51:57; Da 4:6; Da 5:8; Ob 8

David’s counsellors:

1 Ch 26:14; 1 Ch 27:32–33

Wisdom in government

Ge 41:33–36; 2 Sa 14:20; 1 Ki 5:12; Da 2:48

Wisdom associated with mystic arts

Ge 41:8; Ex 7:11; Ps 58:5; Da 2:7; Da 5:7; Da 5:11

Wisdom as spiritual discernment

Understanding the plan of God

Genesis 41:39 NASB95

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are.

See also Je 9:12; Re 13:18; Re 17:9

Understanding God’s ways

Hosea 14:9 NASB95

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, And the righteous will walk in them, But transgressors will stumble in them.

See also Job 11:6; Ps 107:43; Da 12:10

Wisdom expressed in a right relationship with God

Wisdom as reverent submission to God

Job 28:28 NASB95

“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”

See also Ps 111:10; Pr 1:7; Pr 3:7; Pr 9:10; Ec 12:13; Mic 6:9

Wisdom as the knowledge of God

Pr 30:3; Is 11:2

See also Eph 1:17; Col 1:9

Wisdom as obedience to God’s command

Deuteronomy 4:6 NASB95

“So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

See also Ps 119:34; Ps 119:73

Wisdom personified

Wisdom calls out an invitation

Pr 8:1–4; Pr 9:1–6

Wisdom teaches what is right

Proverbs 8:5–21 NASB95

“O naive ones, understand prudence; And, O fools, understand wisdom. “Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things. “For my mouth will utter truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips. “All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing crooked or perverted in them. “They are all straightforward to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. “Take my instruction and not silver, And knowledge rather than choicest gold. “For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her. “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion. “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate. “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. “By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. “By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly. “I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me. “Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness. “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield better than choicest silver. “I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, To endow those who love me with wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.

Wisdom existed before creation

Proverbs 8:22–32 NASB95

“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. “From everlasting I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth. “When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water. “Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills I was brought forth; While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world. “When He established the heavens, I was there, When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, When He made firm the skies above, When the springs of the deep became fixed, When He set for the sea its boundary So that the water would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth; Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of men. “Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, For blessed are they who keep my ways.

Human wisdom can be opposed to God

1 Corinthians 1:18–25 NASB95

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

See also 1 Co 4:10