What the Bible Says About Wisdom

"Wisdom" appears 234 times in the King James Bible, in 222 verses. 181 of the 234 are in the Old Testament and 53 in the New. The first is Exodus 28:3, "whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments". The last is Revelation 17:9, "the mind which hath wisdom".

145 of the Old Testament's stand for chokmah, which Strong's Concordance defines as "wisdom (in a good sense)." The KJV prints chokmah 149 times. The other four are "skilful" in 1 Chronicles 28:21, "wisely" in Proverbs 28:26 and Ecclesiastes 7:10, and "wits'" in Psalm 107:27. 51 of the New Testament's stand for sophia, "wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual)." Below are passages on wisdom, each quoted word for word with its reference. Short notes give the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek words behind the English. A table near the end counts the words behind wisdom, and a list gives every verse where the King James text says wisdom.

If any of you lack wisdom (James 1:5 and 6)

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1:5-6)

"Lack" is leipō, "to leave, i.e. (intransitively or passively) to fail or be absent." It's the "wanting" of the verse before, "that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing". "Liberally" is haplōs, which Strong's defines as "bountifully," and it's found only here. "Upbraideth" is oneidizō, "to defame, i.e. rail at, chide, taunt." The KJV prints it upbraid twice more, in Matthew 11:20, "Then began he to upbraid the cities," and in Mark 16:14. "A wave" is kludōn, "a surge of the sea (literally or figuratively)," which comes once more, as "the raging" in Luke 8:24, "rebuked the wind and the raging of the water". "Driven with the wind" is one Greek word, anemizō, "to toss with the wind." "Tossed" is rhipizō, "to breeze up, i.e. (by analogy) to agitate (into waves)." Neither comes anywhere else in the New Testament.

The spirit of wisdom (Exodus 28:3 and 31:2 to 5)

And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. (Exodus 28:3)

2 See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. (Exodus 31:2-5)

Exodus 28:3 is the first verse where the KJV says wisdom. "Wise hearted" is chakam, the adjective, and leb. Strong's defines chakam as "wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)," and its definition of leb opens "the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect." "Wisdom" is chokmah in both passages. In Exodus chokmah comes in eight verses, 28:3, 31:3, 31:6, 35:26, 35:31, 35:35, 36:1 and 36:2. Exodus 35:26 reads "And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair." "Workmanship" in 31:3 and 31:5 is melakah, which the KJV most often prints work. Strong's says Bezaleel's name is probably from tsel and el, with a prepositional prefix, and gives its sense as "in (the) shadow (i.e. protection) of God."

An understanding heart (1 Kings 3:9 and 12, 1 Kings 4:29)

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? (1 Kings 3:9)

Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. (1 Kings 3:12)

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. (1 Kings 4:29)

In 3:9 "an understanding heart" is leb and shama, a Hebrew verb to hear. Strong's defines shama as "to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)," and this is the only place the KJV prints it understanding. "Discern" in 3:9 is bin, whose definition in Strong's opens "to separate mentally (or distinguish)," and bin is also the "understanding" of 3:12. "Wise" in 3:12 is chakam. In 4:29 "largeness of heart" is rochab and leb. Strong's defines rochab as "width (literally or figuratively)," and the KJV most often prints it breadth.

Wisdom is the principal thing (Proverbs 4:5 to 7)

5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. (Proverbs 4:5-7)

"The principal thing" is reshith, which Strong's defines as "the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)." This is the only place the KJV prints it principal thing. Reshith is the "beginning" of Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." It's also the word for beginning in Proverbs 1:7 and Psalm 111:10, which the fear page quotes. In Proverbs 9:10, also on the fear page, the word for beginning is techillah, whose definition opens "a commencement." Every "get" here is qanah, whose definition in Strong's opens "to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase," and the KJV most often prints it buy or bought. "Getting" is qinyan, which Strong's derives from qanah.

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom (Proverbs 3:13 to 15, 8:11 and 16:16)

13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. (Proverbs 3:13-15)

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. (Proverbs 8:11)

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! (Proverbs 16:16)

"Happy" is ashre, which Strong's defines as "happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!" "Rubies" is peninim, "probably a pearl (as round)." The KJV prints it rubies in all six verses where it comes, Job 28:18, Proverbs 3:15, 8:11, 20:15, 31:10 and Lamentations 4:7. "To get" in 16:16 is qanah, the "get" of Proverbs 4.

The LORD giveth wisdom (Proverbs 2:6 and 7)

6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. (Proverbs 2:6-7)

"Wisdom" in verse 6 is chokmah. "Sound wisdom" in verse 7 is tushiyyah, which Strong's defines as "support or (by implication) ability, i.e. (direct) help, (in purpose) an undertaking, (intellectual) understanding." The KJV prints tushiyyah wisdom in 7 of its 12 places, and "sound wisdom" in three of them, Proverbs 2:7, 3:21 and 8:14. "Layeth up" is tsaphan, whose definition opens "to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve." "A buckler" is magen, whose definition opens "a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler)."

Fools die for want of wisdom (Proverbs 10:21)

The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. (Proverbs 10:21)

"For want of wisdom" is chaser and leb. Strong's defines chaser as "lacking; hence, without," and leb is the heart. The KJV prints leb wisdom in six places, Job 36:5, Proverbs 10:21, 11:12, 15:21, 19:8 and Ecclesiastes 10:3. Chaser and leb together are also "void of understanding," as in Proverbs 7:7, "a young man void of understanding".

So teach us to number our days (Psalm 90:12)

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

"Apply" is bo, "to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)," the verb the KJV most often prints come or came. "Hearts" is levav, "the heart (as the most interior organ)," and it's singular in the Hebrew. "Us" and the second "our" are words the translators supplied, set in italics in printed copies. "Wisdom" is chokmah.

In much wisdom is much grief (Ecclesiastes 1:18 and 7:12)

For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. (Ecclesiastes 1:18)

For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. (Ecclesiastes 7:12)

"Grief" is ka'as, "vexation," and "sorrow" is mak'ob, "anguish or (figuratively) affliction." In 7:12 both defences are tsel, "shade, whether literal or figurative." The KJV prints tsel shadow 45 times, and defence only here and in Numbers 14:9. Strong's finds the same tsel in Bezaleel's name.

Where shall wisdom be found? (Job 28:12 and 13, Job 28:28)

12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? 13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. (Job 28:12-13)

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. (Job 28:28)

"Understanding" in 28:12 and 28:28 is binah, which Strong's derives from bin. In 28:28 "the Lord" is Adonai, which Strong's defines as "the Lord (used as a proper name of God only)," so the KJV prints Lord there and not LORD. Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10 and Psalm 111:10, on the fear page, have Jehovah, as Strong's spells the name the KJV prints LORD. Job 28:18 says "the price of wisdom is above rubies," and its rubies are peninim, as in Proverbs.

At their wits' end (Psalm 107:27)

They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. (Psalm 107:27)

"And are at their wits' end" is three Hebrew words. The first is kol, whose definition in Strong's opens "properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every," with the prefix for "and." The second is chokmah, with the ending for "their." The third is bala, "to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy." This is the only place the KJV prints chokmah wits'.

Wisdom hath builded her house (Proverbs 9:1 and 24:3 and 4)

Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: (Proverbs 9:1)

3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: 4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. (Proverbs 24:3-4)

In 9:1 "Wisdom" is chokmoth, which Strong's lists among the "collateral forms of" chokmah, and the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible marks it feminine plural there. The KJV prints chokmoth wisdom four times, in Psalm 49:3, Proverbs 1:20, 9:1 and 24:7, and once "every wise woman," in Proverbs 14:1, "Every wise woman buildeth her house". "Builded" in 9:1 and 24:3 and "buildeth" in 14:1 are banah, "to build (literally and figuratively)." In 24:3 "wisdom" is chokmah.

Wisdom and might are his (Daniel 2:20 and 21)

20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: (Daniel 2:20-21)

These verses are in Aramaic. The Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible marks Daniel as Aramaic from the middle of 2:4, after "Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack," through 7:28. "In Syriack" is aramith, "in Aramean." "Wisdom" in these verses is chokmah in its Aramaic form, which Strong's gives as "corresponding to" the Hebrew word. The KJV prints it wisdom all eight times it comes, in Ezra 7:25 and Daniel 2:20, 2:21, 2:23, 2:30, 5:11 twice and 5:14. "The wise" is chakkim, which Strong's defines as "wise, i.e. a Magian." It comes 14 times, all in Daniel.

Jesus increased in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52)

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. (Luke 2:52)

"Increased" is prokoptō, "to drive forward (as if by beating), i.e. (figuratively and intransitively) to advance (in amount, to grow; in time, to be well along)." The KJV prints it "is far spent" in Romans 13:12, "The night is far spent". "Stature" is hēlikia, "maturity (in years or size)." The KJV prints it stature five times and age three times, as in John 9:21, "he is of age; ask him". Luke 2:40 says the child was "filled with wisdom". Its Greek differs among the eight editions STEPBible compares, so the notes cite none for it.

Wisdom is justified (Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:35)

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. (Matthew 11:19)

But wisdom is justified of all her children. (Luke 7:35)

"Is justified" is dikaioō, "to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent." "A winebibber" is oinopotēs, "a tippler," found only here and in Luke 7:34. In Luke 7:35 "children" is teknon, "a child (as produced)." The Greek editions differ on Matthew's "children," so the notes cite none for it.

O the depth (Romans 11:33)

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33)

"Depth" is bathos, "profundity, i.e. (by implication) extent; (figuratively) mystery." "Unsearchable" is anexereunētos, "not searched out, i.e. (by implication) inscrutable," and it's found only here. "Past finding out" is anexichniastos, "not tracked out, i.e. (by implication) untraceable." Strong's traces it to ichnos, "a track (figuratively)," which the KJV prints steps. The KJV prints anexichniastos once more, in Ephesians 3:8, "the unsearchable riches of Christ".

The foolishness of God (1 Corinthians 1:21 to 25)

21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:21-25)

"Foolishness" in verses 21 and 23 is mōria, "silliness, i.e. absurdity." The KJV prints mōria foolishness all five times it comes, and all five are in 1 Corinthians, at 1:18, 1:21, 1:23, 2:14 and 3:19. In verse 25 "the foolishness of God" is a different word, mōros, whose definition in Strong's opens "dull or stupid (as if shut up)." That's the only place the KJV prints mōros foolishness. "Preaching" is kērugma, "a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself)." "A stumblingblock" is skandalon, which Strong's defines as "a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e. snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin)." "Wiser" is sophos, "wise (in a most general application)," the word Strong's derives sophia from. "A sign" in verse 22 and "the Greeks" in verse 23 differ among the Greek editions, so the notes cite no Greek for them.

The wisdom of this world (1 Corinthians 3:19)

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. (1 Corinthians 3:19)

The words "He taketh the wise in their own craftiness" stand word for word in the KJV's Job 5:13. In 1 Corinthians 3:19 "taketh" is drassomai, "to grasp, i.e. (figuratively) entrap," found only here, and "craftiness" is panourgia, "adroitness, i.e. (in a bad sense) trickery or sophistry." In Job 5:13 "taketh" is lakad, whose definition opens "to catch (in a net, trap or pit)," and "the wise" is chakam.

Walk in wisdom (Colossians 4:5 and Ephesians 5:15 and 16)

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (Colossians 4:5)

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

"Redeeming" is exagorazō, which Strong's defines as "to buy up, i.e. ransom; figuratively, to rescue from loss (improve opportunity)." The KJV prints it four times, in these two verses and in Galatians 3:13, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law," and Galatians 4:5, "To redeem them that were under the law". "The time" is kairos, "an occasion, i.e. set or proper time." "Circumspectly" is akribōs, "exactly." The KJV also prints it "diligently" in Matthew 2:8 and Acts 18:25, "perfect" in Luke 1:3 and "perfectly" in 1 Thessalonians 5:2. "Fools" in Ephesians 5:15 is asophos, "unwise," found only there.

Meekness of wisdom (James 3:13)

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. (James 3:13)

"Conversation" is anastrophē, which Strong's defines as "behavior." The KJV prints it conversation in all 13 of its places, as in 1 Peter 1:15, "so be ye holy in all manner of conversation". "Endued with knowledge" is one Greek word, epistēmōn, "intelligent," found only here. James 3:17 is on the peace page.

The words behind wisdom

The KJV says wisdom 234 times. Counted by their Strong's numbers, the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek words in this table stand behind 233 of them. The other one is the second wisdom of 1 Corinthians 2:7, "the hidden wisdom," a word the translators supplied and printed copies set in italics.

Chokmah, chokmoth, tushiyyah and the Aramaic chokmah are 164 of the 181 in the Old Testament. Sophia is 51 of the 53 in the New.

Every place the KJV says wisdom

Wisdom comes in these 222 verses.

• Exodus 28:3, 31:3, 31:6, 35:26, 35:31, 35:35, 36:1, 36:2
• Deuteronomy 4:6, 34:9
• 2 Samuel 14:20, 20:22
• 1 Kings 2:6, 3:28, 4:29, 4:30, 4:34, 5:12, 7:14, 10:4, 10:6, 10:7, 10:8, 10:23, 10:24, 11:41
• 1 Chronicles 22:12
• 2 Chronicles 1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 9:3, 9:5, 9:6, 9:7, 9:22, 9:23
• Ezra 7:25
• Job 4:21, 6:13, 11:6, 12:2, 12:12, 12:13, 12:16, 13:5, 15:8, 26:3, 28:12, 28:18, 28:20, 28:28, 32:7, 32:13, 33:33, 34:35, 36:5, 38:36, 38:37, 39:17, 39:26
• Psalms 37:30, 49:3, 51:6, 90:12, 104:24, 105:22, 111:10, 136:5
• Proverbs 1:2, 1:3, 1:7, 1:20, 2:2, 2:6, 2:7, 2:10, 3:13, 3:19, 3:21, 4:5, 4:7, 4:11, 5:1, 7:4, 8:1, 8:5, 8:11, 8:12, 8:14, 9:1, 9:10, 10:13, 10:21, 10:23, 10:31, 11:2, 11:12, 12:8, 13:10, 14:6, 14:8, 14:33, 15:21, 15:33, 16:16, 17:16, 17:24, 18:1, 18:4, 19:8, 21:30, 23:4, 23:9, 23:23, 24:3, 24:7, 24:14, 29:3, 29:15, 30:3, 31:26
• Ecclesiastes 1:13, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 2:3, 2:9, 2:12, 2:13, 2:21, 2:26, 7:11, 7:12, 7:19, 7:23, 7:25, 8:1, 8:16, 9:10, 9:13, 9:15, 9:16, 9:18, 10:1, 10:3, 10:10
• Isaiah 10:13, 11:2, 29:14, 33:6, 47:10
• Jeremiah 8:9, 9:23, 10:12, 49:7, 51:15
• Ezekiel 28:4, 28:5, 28:7, 28:12, 28:17
• Daniel 1:4, 1:17, 1:20, 2:14, 2:20, 2:21, 2:23, 2:30, 5:11, 5:14
• Micah 6:9
• Matthew 11:19, 12:42, 13:54
• Mark 6:2
• Luke 1:17, 2:40, 2:52, 7:35, 11:31, 11:49, 21:15
• Acts 6:3, 6:10, 7:10, 7:22
• Romans 11:33
• 1 Corinthians 1:17, 1:19, 1:20, 1:21, 1:22, 1:24, 1:30, 2:1, 2:4, 2:5, 2:6, 2:7, 2:13, 3:19, 12:8
• 2 Corinthians 1:12
• Ephesians 1:8, 1:17, 3:10
• Colossians 1:9, 1:28, 2:3, 2:23, 3:16, 4:5
• James 1:5, 3:13, 3:15, 3:17
• 2 Peter 3:15
• Revelation 5:12, 7:12, 13:18, 17:9

Proverbs 1:7, 9:10 and Psalm 111:10 are on the fear page, and Proverbs 11:2 and 13:10 are on the pride page. 1 Kings 2:6, 5:12, Job 13:5, 33:33, Proverbs 11:12 and James 3:17 are on the peace page.

Worry, fear, grief, strength, love, forgiveness, hope, peace, anger, pride and temptation

Worry, fear, grief, strength, love, forgiveness, hope, peace, anger, pride and temptation have pages of their own. They're What the Bible Says About Worry, What the Bible Says About Fear, What the Bible Says About Grief, What the Bible Says About Strength, What the Bible Says About Love, What the Bible Says About Forgiveness, What the Bible Says About Hope, What the Bible Says About Peace, What the Bible Says About Anger, What the Bible Says About Pride and What the Bible Says About Temptation. Every chapter quoted here can be read whole in Read the Bible.

How this page was made

Every verse is quoted from the 1769 standard text of the King James Version and checked word for word against two more digital copies. The printed KJV sets supplied words in italics, which this page doesn't show. Verse numbers follow the KJV. Hebrew Bibles number seven verses named here differently. 1 Kings 4:29, 4:30 and 4:34 are 5:9, 5:10 and 5:14 there, and 1 Kings 5:12 is 5:26. Psalm 49:3 and 51:6 are 49:4 and 51:8, and Jeremiah 9:23 is 9:22.

Hebrew and Aramaic words were identified with the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible. Greek words were identified with STEPBible's tagged Greek New Testament. The counts of the words behind wisdom come from the Strong's numbers in the CrossWire Bible Society's KJV, each checked against the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible or STEPBible's Greek. Greek counts follow the Textus Receptus as STEPBible gives it. Every Greek word the notes cite in a quoted verse stands in all eight Greek editions STEPBible compares. Some quoted words don't. "Filled with wisdom" in Luke 2:40, "children" in Matthew 11:19, "a sign" in 1 Corinthians 1:22 and "the Greeks" in 1 Corinthians 1:23 differ among them, some only in form, so the notes cite no Greek for those. STEPBible is a Tyndale House Cambridge project. STEPBible's data and the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible are both shared under CC BY 4.0. The definitions come from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890). If you find a mistake, tell us through the support page.

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