As I searched the Bible for a working definition of wisdom, I observed that the wisdom of this world “is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, soulish, demonic” (οὐκ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ σοφία ἄνωθεν κατερχομένη, ἀλλὰ ἐπίγειος, ψυχική, δαιμονιώδης) (James 3:15). Therefore, the wisdom from God must be distinguished from the earthly wisdom. In reading the Book of Proverbs, I realized that the terms wisdom (חָכְמָה), understanding (תָּבוּן) and knowledge (” דַּעַת”) were all related. I then considered the following verses describing how those terms related to one another.

In Proverbs 19:25, I came across the phrase: “to understanding he will understand knowledge” (לְ֝נָב֗וֹן יָבִ֥ין דָּֽעַת). I immediately thought back to Proverbs 2:6: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (כִּֽי־יְ֭הוָה יִתֵּ֣ן חָכְמָ֑ה מִ֝פִּ֗יו דַּ֣עַת וּתְבוּנָֽה). In contrast, I also noticed that in Proverbs 29:7 “the wicked do not understand knowledge” (רָ֝שָׁ֗ע לֹא־יָבִ֥ין דָּֽעַת).  Likewise, “fools hate knowledge” (כְסִילִ֗ים יִשְׂנְאוּ־דָֽעַת) (Proverbs 1:22).

I  also reviewed Proverbs 24:3-4, describing the different functions of wisdom, understanding and knowledge:  “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” (בְּ֭חָכְמָה יִבָּ֣נֶה בָּ֑יִת וּ֝בִתְבוּנָ֗ה יִתְכּוֹנָֽ וּ֭בְדַעַת חֲדָרִ֣ים יִמָּלְא֑וּ כָּל־ה֖וֹן יָקָ֣ר וְנָעִֽים׃).

Therefore, I developed a working definition of Godly wisdom: the Godly understanding of knowledge. Wisdom is a gift of God, produced through the other gifts of understanding and knowledge, which come from His mouth.

HALLELUJAH !