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).