The Words for Wisdom

A common word which is often translated as "wisdom" is (font not available) (sakal) which is used seventy times in the Tanach and the related word  (font not available) (sekel) which is used an additional sixteen times. The  (font not available) type of wisdom refers to those practical skills and understanding which bring success. This is the wisdom which was sought by Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6), by young people who were competing for selection to the royal court (Daniel 1:4), by servants who were mastering their responsibilities (Proverbs 14:35), and by those who were training others in necessary skills (Daniel 11:33).

The derivative (font not available) has implications of intelligence, knowledge and sense. This word was used to describe Abigail, the wife of Nabal (I Samuel 35:3), and Sherebiah the Levite (Ezra 8:18). This type of wisdom comes from obedience (Psalm 11:10b) and is the root of patience (Proverbs 19:11).

The third term is  (font not available)(leb), which is used infrequently for wisdom, and which is also the word for the heart. It is related to the center of feelings, awareness and motivation. It is described as the goal of foolishness in Proverbs 8:5. In Ezekiel 38:6, (font not available) relates to a false sense of godliness: ". . .you think you are  (font not available)wise), as wise as a god."

". . .to God belong  (font not available)and power" (Job 12:13), and as a trait of faith and righteousness: "The mouth of the righteous man utters  (font not available)(Psalm 37:30).

Who Is Wise?

If we are to seek wisdom as a goal, how will we know when we find it? Or what is a wise person, as described in the Scriptures?

Clearly, the primary and most profound meaning of wisdom is found in association with the nature of God. His actions and his attributes define the ultimate concept of wisdom, as seen in the following verses:

But God . . . founded the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. (Jeremiah 10:12)

Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. (Daniel 2:20)

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him–the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding (Isaiah 11:2)

Jesus Christ is shown to be the ultimate revelation and demonstration of God’s wisdom in I Corinthians 1:30: "It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–That is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."

Wisdom in men and women is often associated with righteousness and godliness, as in Psalm 37:30: "The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just." Solomon, who is described as the wisest of men during the early part of his reign, was given his wisdom directly from God: "God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore" (I Kings 4:29).

The book of Proverbs, which has a primary emphasis on wisdom, characterizes a wise person as one who lives and acts with understanding. Wisdom is far more than skill, knowledge, intelligence or accumulated experience. It is not an end in itself nor a possession to be kept to oneself. Wisdom is consistently described as a way of living, thinking, relating and instructing others in a way which reflects obedience to God and profound understanding of God’s plan for His people. Consider the following examples:

A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. (Proverbs 14:16)

A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. (Proverbs 16:23)

He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. (Proverbs 28:26)

She speaks with wisdom, and faith instruction is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26)

A wise person, therefore, is known by actions which honor God, by insights and judgments which are based on mature spiritual understanding and by a desire and commitment to instruct others in the way of wisdom. The Scriptures teach us that to become wise is to become more like God, to take on more of His traits of care and compassion for His people and His creation. Ultimate wisdom is found only in God, but He allows His people to apprehend and reflect this aspect of His nature as they grow in spiritual obedience, insight and maturity.

Growing In Wisdom

The scriptural view of wisdom is that it is not the end of a journey, but it is the journey itself, as stated clearly in Proverbs 4:11: "I will guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths." Along the way, the obedient believer increasingly relies upon spiritual wisdom to govern his thoughts and actions with a constant openness of heart to seek and learn more, as in Proverbs 1:5: "Let the wise listen and add to their learning;" or in Daniel 2:21: "He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning."

Where does the journey begin? For most believers, the first step in the way of wisdom is the realization of inadequacy, the humility to admit that one cannot live life without God. King Solomon was given wisdom to reign over Israel only after he admitted his inability to lead without God’s help (II Chronicles 1:10). The "fear of the Lord" which is cited in Proverbs 9:10 as the "beginning of wisdom" is the acknowledgment of one’s weakness and dependence upon God. The importance of humility is stated directly in Proverbs 11:2: "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."

Many of the teachings of the New Testament help to clarify and underscore the vital significance of humility in the road to spiritual growth. Jesus Christ taught that the "poor in spirit" and the "meek" will inherit the earth. He also taught that believers should come to the Father "as children," with "contrite hearts" and not be "puffed up." All of these terms describe an attitude of meekness, respect and openness to learn. He knew that pride, popularity, concern for wealth and power, and self-sufficiency are all impediments to knowing God, and he showed that one must rid himself of distractions in order to focus on the spiritual journey ("Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." Mark 10:21).

The journey toward wisdom lasts a lifetime and evolves with age. In the early years, we are advised to heed the teachings of our elders, as in Proverbs 5:1: "My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight." Throughout our lives, we are commanded to use wisdom as our guide, as in James 3:13: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom." In their later years, those who have matured in wisdom have an obligation to pass it on to younger generations: "Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom" (Job 32:7). It is also clear from the Biblical record that age does not automatically bring wisdom, as in the case of an old but foolish king mentioned in Ecclesiastes 4:13, who is contrasted with the poor but wise younger person.

The road to wisdom is often accompanied by trials and suffering which God uses to mature and strengthen His people. God required the children of Israel to wander for forty years in the wilderness to humble and test them so that they could learn obedience and wisdom (Deuteronomy 4:3-6). Job was put through some difficult personal trials in order to more deeply understand God as the source of his strength and wisdom (Job 38:36). Jesus Christ was sent by God to the wilderness for forty days of trials which would strengthen His character and His witness (Luke 4:1-12). The letter to the Hebrews states that hardship is used as a discipline (Hebrews 12:7), and James teaches that sufferings are used to teach patience and maturity (James 1:3, 4). The pilgrim who has gone further down the road of life understands more clearly than younger believers how wisdom and maturity can be gained from suffering and dependence upon God in difficult situations.

Another major requirement on the way to wisdom is an unswerving commitment to and reliance upon God. King Solomon is quoted in Proverbs 28:14 with the advice: "Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble." In his own life, Solomon demonstrated this sobering reality. When in later life he was drawn away from devotion to the one true God to follow Ashtoreth and other foreign gods, his kingdom and his reputation were lost forever. The letter to the Hebrews makes a strong emphasis on remaining true and faithful in order to receive God’s promises: "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (Hebrews 12:36). In a later chapter, the letter advises believers to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and . . . not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:1-3). A continued faithfulness and commitment to the leadership of God is a vital ingredient in the path to wisdom and spiritual maturity.

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