Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8200 The character of the believer  »  8361 wisdom  »  8365 wisdom, nature of human

The human quality which enables the planning and successful achievement of a desired goal. It may be expressed as technical skill, practical instruction and astuteness in political affairs. True wisdom includes spiritual discernment and, above all, the reverence and knowledge of God.

Wisdom as human skill

For work on the tabernacle

Exodus 36:1 See also Exodus 28:3 making the priestly robes; Exodus 31:2-6 pp Exodus 35:30-35 craftsmanship and design in metalwork, stone, wood, embroidery and weaving; Exodus 35:25-26 spinning; Exodus 36:8 making and hanging curtains

For work on the temple

1 Chronicles 22:15 See also 1 Chronicles 28:21; 2 Chronicles 2:7,13-14 pp 1 Kings 7:13-14 Huram-Abi, skilled in bronze work

Other skills

Making idols:

Isaiah 40:20; Jeremiah 10:9 Jeremiah 9:17 professional mourning; Ezekiel 27:8-9 seamanship

Wisdom as instruction in practical living

Proverbs 14:8; Ecclesiastes 12:11 See also Proverbs 6:6; Proverbs 10:5,8-9; Proverbs 19:11; Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 21:20; Proverbs 29:11; Ecclesiastes 7:7; Ecclesiastes 10:12

Wisdom as political astuteness

Wisdom brings political success

Proverbs 21:22; Ecclesiastes 9:14-15; Isaiah 10:13; Ezekiel 28:4-5

Wisdom in giving political advice

Genesis 41:8; Esther 1:13; Isaiah 19:11; Jeremiah 51:57; Daniel 4:6; Daniel 5:8; Ob 8

David's counsellors:

1 Chronicles 26:14; 1 C 32-33

Wisdom in government

Genesis 41:33-36; 2 Samuel 14:20; 1 Kings 5:12; Daniel 2:48

Wisdom associated with mystic arts

Genesis 41:8; Exodus 7:11; Psalm 58:5; Daniel 2:7; Daniel 5:7,11

Wisdom as spiritual discernment

Understanding the plan of God

Genesis 41:39 See also Jeremiah 9:12; Revelation 13:18; Revelation 17:9

Understanding God's ways

Hosea 14:9 See also Job 11:6; Psalm 107:43; Daniel 12:10

Wisdom expressed in a right relationship with God

Wisdom as reverent submission to God

Job 28:28 See also Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 3:7; Proverbs 9:10; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Micah 6:9

Wisdom as the knowledge of God

Proverbs 30:3; Isaiah 11:2 See also Ephesians 1:17; Colossians 1:9

Wisdom as obedience to God's command

Deuteronomy 4:6 See also Psalm 119:34,73

Wisdom personified

Wisdom calls out an invitation

Proverbs 8:1-4; Proverbs 9:1-6

Wisdom teaches what is right

Proverbs 8:5-21

Wisdom existed before creation

Proverbs 8:22-32

Human wisdom can be opposed to God

1 Corinthians 1:18-25 See also 1 Corinthians 4:10

See also

1020  God, all-knowing
4813  depth
5029  knowledge of God
5033  knowledge of good & evil
5481  proverb
5531  skill
5894  intelligence
5922  prudence
5948  shrewdness
8281  insight
8319  perception, spiritual
8355  understanding