Portrait of Wisdom

I. A Wise Person is Understanding

1. BIN

Proverbs 10:13 NASB95

13 On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.

Discerning:

בין byn to understand, see; to pay attention, consider, teach, examine

995. בִּין bin (106c); a prim. root; to discern:—acted wisely(1), cared(1), clever(1), consider(8), consider

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (4) Seven-Proverb Collection (10:12–18)

the wise use their tongues carefully, but fools bring suffering on themselves by their words.

Proverbs 14:6 NASB95

6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.

Proverbs 14:8 NASB95

8 The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, But the foolishness of fools is deceit.

Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary Real Sense and Real Folly (14:8)

Likewise the essence of folly is mental dishonesty: not merely falling short of the truth (as we must), but side-stepping it.

Proverbs 14:33 NASB95

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the hearts of fools it is made known.

Any understanding that a fool gains must be discovered from somewhere else.

Proverbs 16:16 NASB95

16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

Proverbs 17:24 NASB95

24 Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Believer’s Bible Commentary B. The Righteous Lifestyle Exalted (16:1–22:16)

A man of understanding sets wisdom as the goal before his eyes and goes right toward it. A fool has no definite ambition. Rather than search for wisdom, which requires discipline, his eyes wander in fantasy all over the world.

2. SEKL

Proverbs 13:15 NASB95

15 Good understanding produces favor, But the way of the treacherous is hard.

שֶׂ֫כֶל śěʹ·ḵěl insight, understanding; success

3. TEBUNA

Proverbs 10:23 NASB95

23 Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool, And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.

8394. תְּבוּנָה tebunah (108b); from 995; an understanding:—discernment(1), reasonings(1), skill(1), skillful(1), skillfully(1), understanding(37).

תְּבוּנָה teḇû·nā(h)understanding, cleverness, skill

Good financial planning are like a game.

Proverbs 15:21 NASB95

21 Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, But a man of understanding walks straight.

Believer’s Bible Commentary A. Righteous and Wicked Lifestyles Contrasted (10:1–15:33)

A pig enjoys wallowing in the mire, whereas a sheep wants the clean pasture.

Proverbs 19:8 NASB95

8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.

Proverbs 20:5 NASB95

5 A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.

A deep well requires a bucket and a long rope to get any refreshment. The person of understanding works at it to bring up the water.

Believer’s Bible Commentary B. The Righteous Lifestyle Exalted (16:1–22:16)

A man’s thoughts and intentions are often hidden deeply in his mind. He will not generally bring them to the surface. But a person of discernment knows how to draw them out by wise questions. For example, a good counselor can help a person bring crooked thinking to the light and thus remedy it.

4. ARUM

Proverbs 14:15 NASB95

15 The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps.

עָרוּם ʿā·rûmcunning; clever

Believer’s Bible Commentary A. Righteous and Wicked Lifestyles Contrasted (10:1–15:33)

A naive, gullible person is susceptible to every new idea or fad. The prudent man takes a second look and thus preserves his steps from error. Faith demands the surest evidence, and finds it in the Word of God. Credulity believes what every passing scientist, philosopher, or psychologist has to say.

Proverbs 10:14 NASB95

14 Wise men store up knowledge, But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

דַּ֫עַת dǎʹ·ʿǎṯ knowledge; ability; discernment, understanding

Proverbs 13:16 NASB95

16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool displays folly.

Proverbs 14:18 NASB95

18 The naive inherit foolishness, But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

Proverbs 15:14 NASB95

14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

Proverbs 18:15 NASB95

15 The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Proverbs 19:2 NASB95

2 Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries his footsteps errs.

Proverbs 23:12 NASB95

12 Apply your heart to discipline And your ears to words of knowledge.

Proverbs 20:15 NASB95

15 There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.

Proverbs 21:11 NASB95

11 When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

Proverbs 24:3–4 NASB95

3 By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; 4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.