'Wisdom' in the Bible

I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom and skill, in understanding and intelligence, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,

And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; to all who are wise-hearted I have given the skill and ability to make everything that I have commanded you:

All the women whose heart stirred with a skill spun the goats’ hair.

and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom and skill, with intelligence and understanding, and with knowledge in all [areas of] craftsmanship,

He has filled them with skill to do the work of an engraver, of a designer, and of an embroiderer, in blue, purple, and scarlet fabric, and in fine linen, and of a weaver; makers of every work and embroiderers of [excellent] designs.

“Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skilled person in whom the Lord has put ability and understanding to know how to do all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall work according to all that the Lord has commanded.”

So Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person in whom the Lord had put ability, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to do the work.

So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the Lord commanded Moses.

In order to change the appearance of things [between Absalom and you, his father] your servant Joab did this thing. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that is in the earth.”

Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people [to inform them of the agreement]. And they beheaded Sheba the son of Bichri and threw his head [down] to Joab. So he blew the trumpet [signaling the end of the attack], and they dispersed from the city, every man to his own tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to [David] the king.

So act in accordance with your wisdom, but do not let his gray head go down to Sheol (the place of the dead) in peace.

So now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of David my father; and as for me, I am but a little boy [in wisdom and experience]; I do not know how to go out or come in [that is, how to conduct business as a king].

When all [the people of] Israel heard about the judgment which the king had made, they [were in awe and reverently] feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was within him to administer justice.

Now God gave Solomon [exceptional] wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand of the seashore.

Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.

People came from all the peoples (nations) to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.

The Lord gave Solomon wisdom, just as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.

He was the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a craftsman in bronze. Hiram was filled with wisdom, understanding, and skill for doing any [kind of] work in bronze. So he came to King Solomon and did all his [bronze] work.

When the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, and the house (palace) which he had built,

Then she told the king, “The report which I heard in my own land about your words and wisdom is true!

I did not believe the report until I came and saw it with my own eyes. Behold, the half of it was not told to me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity the report which I heard.

How blessed (fortunate, happy) are your men! How blessed are these your servants who stand continually before you, hearing your wisdom!

So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in wealth and in wisdom.

All the earth was seeking the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which God had put in his mind.

The rest of the acts of Solomon—and all that he did, and his wisdom—are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?

Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.

Give me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may go out and come in [performing my duties] before this people, for [otherwise] who can rule and administer justice to this great people of Yours?”

God replied to Solomon, “Because this was in your heart and you did not ask for riches, possessions or honor and personal glory, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself so that you may rule and administer justice to My people over whom I have made you king,

wisdom and knowledge have been granted you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor will those who will come after you.”

So when the queen of Sheba saw the [depth of] Solomon’s wisdom, and the house which he had built,

She said to the king, “The report which I heard in my own land regarding your [accomplishments and your] words and your wisdom was true,

but I did not believe the reports until I came and saw it with my own eyes. Behold, the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told to me; you have surpassed the report that I heard.

Blessed and fortunate are your people, how blessed and fortunate are these servants of yours who stand before you continually and hear your wisdom!

So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in wealth and wisdom.

And all the kings of the earth were seeking the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which God had put into his heart.

“You, Ezra, are to appoint magistrates and judges in accordance with the wisdom and instruction of your God which is in your hand, so that they may judge all the people who are in the province west of the [Euphrates] River; appoint those who know the laws of your God; and you may teach anyone who does not know them.

‘Is not their tent-cord drawn up within them [so that the tent collapses]?Do they not die, and yet without [acquiring] wisdom?’

“Is it that I have no help within myself,And that success and wisdom have been driven from me?

And [that He would] show you the secrets of wisdom!For sound wisdom has two sides.Know therefore that God forgets a part of your wickedness and guilt.

“His wisdom is as high as the heights of heaven. What can you do?It is deeper than Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead). What can you know?

“But a hollow (empty-headed) man will become intelligent and wise[Only] when the colt of a wild donkey is born as a man.

“No doubt you are the [only wise] people [in the world],And wisdom will die with you!

“But I have intelligence and understanding as well as you;I am not inferior to you.Who does not know such things as these [of God’s wisdom and might]?

“With the aged [you say] is wisdom,And with long life is understanding.

“But [only] with Him are [perfect] wisdom and might;He [alone] has [true] counsel and understanding.

“With Him are might and sound wisdom,The misled and the misleader are His [and in His power].

“Oh, that you would be completely silent,And that silence would be your wisdom!

“Do you hear the secret counsel of God,And do you limit [the possession of] wisdom to yourself?

“How you have counseled the one who has no wisdom!And how abundantly you have provided sound wisdom and helpful insight!

“But where can wisdom be found?And where is the place of understanding?

“The deep says, ‘It is not in me’;And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’

“Gold and glass cannot equal wisdom,Nor can it be exchanged for articles of fine gold.

“No mention of coral and crystal can be made;For the possession of wisdom is even above [that of] rubies or pearls.

“From where then does wisdom come?And where is the place of understanding?

“God understands the way [to wisdom]And He knows its place [for wisdom is with God alone].

Then He saw wisdom and declared it;He established it and searched it out.

“But to man He said, ‘Behold, the reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord—that is wisdom;And to depart from evil is understanding.’”

“I thought age should speak,And a multitude of years should teach wisdom.

“Beware if you say,‘We have found wisdom;God thrusts Job down [justly], not man [for God alone is dealing with him].’

“Behold, I belong to God like you;I too was formed out of the clay.

“If not [and you have nothing to say], listen to me;Keep silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”

‘Job speaks without knowledge,And his words are without wisdom and insight.

“Who has put wisdom in the innermost being [of man, or in the layers of clouds]Or given understanding to the mind [of man, or to the heavenly display]?

“Who can count the clouds by [earthly] wisdom,Or pour out the water jars of the heavens,

For God has made her forget wisdom,And has not given her a share of understanding.

“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars,Stretching his wings toward the south [as winter approaches]?

The mouth of the righteous proclaims wisdom,And his tongue speaks justice and truth.

My mouth will speak wisdom,And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,And in the hidden part [of my heart] You will make me know wisdom.

So teach us to number our days,That we may cultivate and bring to You a heart of wisdom.

O Lord, how many and varied are Your works!In wisdom You have made them all;The earth is full of Your riches and Your creatures.

To imprison his princes at his will,That he might teach his elders wisdom.

They staggered and trembled like a drunken man,And were at their wits’ end [all their wisdom was useless].

The [reverent] fear of the Lord is the beginning (the prerequisite, the absolute essential, the alphabet) of wisdom;A good understanding and a teachable heart are possessed by all those who do the will of the Lord;His praise endures forever.

To Him who made the heavens with skill,For His lovingkindness endures forever;

To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction;To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.

Wisdom shouts in the street,She raises her voice in the markets;

“If you will turn and pay attention to my rebuke,Behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit on you;I will make my words known to you.

“Then they will call upon me (Wisdom), but I will not answer;They will seek me eagerly but they will not find me,

“But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live securely and in confident trustAnd will be at ease, without fear or dread of evil.”

So that your ear is attentive to [skillful and godly] wisdom,And apply your heart to understanding [seeking it conscientiously and striving for it eagerly];

If you seek skillful and godly wisdom as you would silverAnd search for her as you would hidden treasures;

For the Lord gives [skillful and godly] wisdom;From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He stores away sound wisdom for the righteous [those who are in right standing with Him];He is a shield to those who walk in integrity [those of honorable character and moral courage],

For [skillful and godly] wisdom will enter your heartAnd knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is the man who finds [skillful and godly] wisdom,And the man who gains understanding and insight [learning from God’s word and life’s experiences],

She is more precious than rubies;And nothing you can wish for compares with her [in value].

The Lord by His wisdom has founded the earth;By His understanding He has established the heavens.

My son, let them not escape from your sight,But keep sound wisdom and discretion,

“Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]!Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

“Do not turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you;Love her, and she will watch over you.

“The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]!And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].

“Prize wisdom [and exalt her], and she will exalt you;She will honor you if you embrace her.

I have instructed you in the way of [skillful and godly] wisdom;I have led you in upright paths.

My son, be attentive to my wisdom [godly wisdom learned by costly experience],Incline your ear to my understanding;

Say to [skillful and godly] wisdom, “You are my sister,”And regard understanding and intelligent insight as your intimate friends;

Does not wisdom call,And understanding lift up her voice?

On the top of the heights beside the way,Where the paths meet, wisdom takes her stand;