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). 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).

Openness to discipline or instruction represents another important aspect of wisdom. The wise person loves to be rebuked because it makes him or her wiser (Prov 9:8–9; 21:11). Likewise, the wise person listens to advice or instruction, which emphasizes his humility (Prov 12:15; 13:1). Unlike the arrogant, who are worse off than fools, the wise exhibit humility (Prov 3:7; 11:2; 26:16; 28:26).

Wisdom is closely related to speech. The tongue and lips of the wise produce wisdom (Prov 15:2, 7), and their speech is persuasive (Prov 14:3; 16:21, 23). It preserves the wise (Prov 14:3) and brings healing (Prov 12:18). When a fool keeps silent, he or she is considered wise (Prov 17:28).

There is also a moral aspect to wisdom. Wisdom is often paralleled with righteousness (Psa 37:30; Prov 9:9; 10:31), as the wise person turns away from evil (Prov 14:16). Wise kings are described as destroying the wicked (Prov 20:26). Just as the wise are characterized by obedience (Prov 10:8; Eccl 8:5), wisdom is associated with the Law (Deut 4:6; Psa 19:7; 119:98). An exhortation to obey God’s commands is part of the conclusion to the book of Ecclesiastes (see Eccl 12:13).

One of the more important aspects of wisdom is the fear of Yahweh. The wise maintain a reverent attitude toward God because a fear of Him serves as the starting point for wisdom (Psa 111:10; Prov 1:7; 9:10). Elsewhere, the fear of Yahweh provides instruction in wisdom (Prov 15:33). The book of Job equates the fear of Yahweh with wisdom (Job 28:28).

The close association between the fear of Yahweh and wisdom is due to wisdom’s place with God (Job 12:13). In the wisdom poem of Job 28, the author searches everywhere for wisdom (Job 28:12–22) before concluding that God is its true source (Job 28:23–28). Wisdom was with God when He created the world (Prov 3:19–20; 8:22; Jer 10:12). As the source of wisdom, God gives wisdom to His people (Prov 2:6); Solomon—who is described as the wisest man in the world—received wisdom as a gift of God (1 Kgs 3:3–15; 4:29).

Words Associated with Wisdom

There are several terms in Proverbs related to chokhmah (“wisdom”) that highlight different aspects of wisdom. Most of these appear in the book’s introduction (Prov 1:2–6).

Knowledge

Knowledge (da’ath) 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).

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

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).

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

Other Terms

Among less common terms related to wisdom, mezimmah (“discretion”) and ‘ormah or ’arum (“cleverness”) both have positive and negative connotations. While mezimmah is most often translated as “discretion” in Proverbs—because of its usage in the book—elsewhere, it typically describes a negative “plan” or “scheme” (Job 21:27; Psa 21:11; 37:7). In Proverbs, one is advised to keep discretion as a guard against evil (Prov 2:11–12; 3:21–22; 5:2).

The Hebrew word ‘arum and the related ‘ormah are used negatively in other parts of the Old Testament to describe the “crafty” or “treacherous” (Gen 3:1; Exod 21:14; Job 5:12). However, in Proverbs, the ‘arum act intelligently to protect themselves from danger—they are clever (Prov 22:3; 27:12). The clever person acts with knowledge and discernment (Prov 12:23; 13:16).

Miles Custis

Further Reading

Fearing God in the Old Testament

The Fool in Proverbs

Wisdom in Proverbs

TWOT Number 647 “wisdom” TWOT

TWOT Number 848.2 “knowledge” TWOT

Wisdom in the Old Testament TDNT

Definitions of “Wisdom” and “Knowledge” NICOT Pr 1–15

Wisdom TOTC Pr

Words for Wisdom Proverbs 1–9 (AYBC)