In praying about the best way to beging this study, there were times when I found myself debating with the Lord as to whether or not to begin with an in-depth "Word" study in the Hebrew - or to just ask questions of each one of you (and myself) what the word "wisdom" means in our own life. But, He kept leading me back to two specific passages to share with you as an introduction to "Obtaining Wisdom".

Here they are:
• Proverbs 1:7
  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
• Proverbs 8 - in it's entirety, but with special focus on verse 17 (this is wisdom speaking)
  "I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me."

We will see, during these next couple of months of study in this series on "Obtaining Wisdom", that we will actually be learning about life changing applications of Biblical Truths.Wisdom, Knowledge, Discernment, Understanding, all flow together. Often times the same root word is translated into these various words.

It is my deepest desire for us to prayerfully consider what God, Himself, has to say about wisdom, and that, during our times of study here together, He will guide us into a clearer understanding of what roll wisdom can have in our lives as we learn to study and apply all that He chooses to share with us through His Word.

"Father, God, it is with fear and trembling that I come before You in putting together this next study series. I ask, Lord, by Your Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts to receive all that You have for us, and that You would open up our eyes to see and our minds to understand the application of Your Word to our day to day lives. Father, You, alone, know my heart, and the hearts of those how are joining in on this study. Show us how to grow in Your wisdom, and how to continue to walk wisely in accordance with Your word, bringing all glory and honor to Your Precious Name. Amen."

In preperation for our journey on the path to obtain wisdom, our homework assignment is to get a fresh notebook. The first thing I would like us to do is to write out what man says "Wisdom" means (use whatever resources you have on hand, dictionaries, reference books, school books, etc.). Next, read Proverbs 8 completely through - two or three times would be great, cross referencing in a modern translation as well as a standard (King James or Revised Standard), making notes about how wisdom is portrayed within these passages.

Next week we will be doing some "word" studies into the root Hebrew words used to translate into our Bibles, and their various meanings, so if you are anxious to get started, feel free to get out your Strongs Concordance, and Lexicons and begin to dig for yourselves!

This will be an interactive study, and I am looking forward to your comments. If you have any questions, or comments along the way, please, feel free to use the 'comments' section.  May you be blessed as you go forth serving our Lord Jesus Christ in all you do.

Let us start with looking at the word most used in the Old Testament -The original Hebrew word is hmkx - "Chokmah" pronounced as khok-maw', which is a noun, feminine in origin/usage (you'll note that, especially in Proverbs, Wisdom is spoken of as feminine).



This is the word that is used in reference to (the wisdom of) King Solomon, and the word used most in the book of Proverbs - which I feel the Lord uses to prompt our seeking of wisdom more than any other book in the Bible. That is why we will be looking at this word first.

The definition given in the Strongs Concordance ( 02451 ) is:
• wisdom
• skill (in war)
• wisdom (in administration)
• shrewdness, wisdom
• wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs)
• wisdom (ethical and religious)

What I would like for us to do, this week is to look up some of the verses (feel free to look up more, if you have the time, but as to not overwhelm anyone, I've only chosen some of them) where this word has been translated into Wisdom. Then, lets write them down in our notebooks, noting alongside them which of the above mentioned attributes of the word you feel apply to that particular verse.

Ready? Here they are:
• 1 Kings
  • 3:28
  • 4:29-34
  • 5:12
  • 10:6-8
• 2 Chronicles
  • 1:10-12
• Ecclesiastes
  9:10-18
• Proverbs
  • 14:33
  • 15:33
  • 18:4
  • 21:30
  • 24:3
  • 24:14
  • 28:26
  • 31:26

Let us continue with looking at another one of the words, translated into "Wisdom" in the Old Testament -Original Hebrew word is - bl - "Leb" pronounced as labe, which is a noun, masculine in origin/usage. This particular word is translated more often into "heart" than "wisdom", however, as mentioned in our introductory lesson, there are many aspects to "Obtaining Wisdom" other than just "wisdom". We will see, that it involves our entire being in true worship of our Lord

Before we go on, please look up Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Mark 12:28-21, and John 4:23-24. What do these verses tell us about our walk in life?




Okay, now, with that in mind, and our point of study being "obtaining wisdom" - let us focus on the "heart" side of wisdom.

The definition given in the Strongs Concordance (03820 ) is:
• inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding
  • inner part, midst
  • midst (of things)
  • heart (of man)
  • soul, heart (of man)
  • mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
  • inclination, resolution, determination (of will)
  • conscience
  • heart (of moral character)
  • as seat of appetites
  • as seat of emotions and passions
• as seat of courage

With the above descriptions in mind, and the fact that the word we are studying today is translated into "heart", "understanding" and "wisdom" (along with a few others, but these are what we will focus on), let us go back to our notebooks and continue on like we did last week. We'll look up some of the verses - and write them down in our notebooks, noting alongside them which of the above mentioned atributes of the word you feel apply to that particular verse.


(you may wish to use the Strongs Concordance along with your study.)

Ready? (remember, look for all three, "Wisdom", "Heart", and "Understanding") Here we go:
• Exodus 36:1
• Psalms
  • 19:14
  • 49:3
  • 119:34
• Proverbs
  • 2:2
  • 2:10
  • 8:5
  • 10:13
  • 14:33
  • 19:8

I would like for us to write down our thoughts on how seeking after the Lord with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind will help us in our quest for "Obtaining Wisdom", and let us pray for guidance along our journey in seeking His wisdom within our own heart and how to apply it to our day to day lives.Well, that's it for this lesson . . . Keep in mind that open discussions (via 'comments') are VERY much welcomed!

Let us continue with looking at another one of the words, translated into "Wisdom" in the Old Testament -Original Hebrew word is - hnyb - "Biynah" pronounced as bee-naw' which is a noun, feminine in origin/usage. This particular word is translated more often into "Understanding" 32 times, but also translated into "wisdom", "meaning", "knowledge", and "perfectly".

The definition given in the Strong's Concordance (0998) is:
• Understanding, Discernment
  • act
  • faculty
  • object
  • personified

This word has been translated into:

Wisdom, Knowledge & Understanding in-
• Proverbs 9:10

Wisdom & Understanding in -
• Proverbs 1:2
• Proverbs 4:5
• Proverbs 4:7
• Proverbs 7:4
• Proverbs 8:14
• Proverbs 23:23

Knowledge & Wisdom in -
• Proverbs 2:3

Wisdom in-
• Proverbs 23:4

Understanding in -
• Proverbs 3:5
• Proverbs 4:1
• Proverbs 9:6
• Proverbs 30:2

Let us also take a look at Job 28:12 & 28:28 - what does this say to your heart? Why not take a moment and re-write these two verses out in your own words, putting down what the Lord has spoken to you about these two verses for your own life's journey in "Obtaining Wisdom":


In our notebooks, let us, this week, make notes on how we do or do not act in "biynah" (the Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding) brought forth in the verses listed out above in today's lesson. It will not only give us some "food for thought", but will also give us some "fuel for prayer".

Next week, we'll be taking a closer look into "Understanding" - it all fits together - as you have found out in our Job passages, and I would also like you to ponder Proverbs 24:3 this week. We'll hit more on that next time.

Well, that's it for this lesson . . . Keep in mind, by sharing your comments and questions we can have some great discussions and insights shared!

Okay, as promised, let us take a closer look into "Understanding".Two of the words translated into wisdom and understanding we have already looked into during our two previous lessons. There are also three others that I would like for us to look at. Two, briefly, and one more in depth. (Again, if you would like to use the same resources, here is Strong's Concordance on line for your convenience.)

The original Hebrew word lkX = is broken down into the two we'll look at briefly, the first one being "Sakal" (a verb) and the other, "Sakel" (a noun, masculine in origin/usage). The first being translated more often into "wise" or "understand", and the second into

"understanding"
• prudence
• good sense
• insight

The original Hebrew word lwbt = "Tabuwn" is the one we'll look deeper into,

and it means:
• understanding, intelligence
  the act of understanding
  skill
  • the faculty of understanding
    intelligence, understanding, insight
  • the object of knowledge
  • teacher (personification)

This is used 19 times alone in the book of Proverbs (which is, what generated this study on "Obtaining Wisdom" in the first place) so let us look some of them up:

Proverbs
• 2:2, 3, 6 & 11
• 3:13 & 19
• 5:1
• 8:1
• 10:23
• 11:12
• 14:29
• 15:21
• 17:18
• 18:2

There are others, too. In fact, one of them was the verse that we were to "ponder" this past week . . . Proverbs 24:3, but first, let us look at Proverbs 19:8. "He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good." (KJV) What does this speak to your own heart? Why not write it out in your own words:





Okay, now let us go to Proverbs 24:3 - keeping in mind that this is talking about "Chokmah" (wisdom) [see Lesson 1 if you need to refresh your memory.] and "Tabuwn" (understanding), let us read this once more:

"Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established." (KJV)

Can this help you to refocus your thinking in all areas of your life? Your spiritual home as well as your physical home? Your 'body', your 'house', basically, anywhere you live! You can apply this to every single area of your life. Why not re-write this, several times, using different aspects of these original words in place of "wisdom" and "understanding" to help it become even clearer to your heart.










As time permits, I would strongly suggest going back through your previous notes and in your notebook go ahead and do the same type of re-writing breakdown of as many of the verses we've looked up as possible. Allow the Word to become "Rehma" to your heart, for it is when it becomes alive within your spirit, that is when it becomes life changing, and, isn't that what our study is all about?

Let us take a brief look at the word "knowledge". t[d - Da'ath which is a noun.

The definition given in the Strong's Concordance (01847) is:

• knowledge
• knowledge, perception, skill
• discernment, understanding, wisdom

Another word translated into knowledge is [ddm - Madda', pronounced mad-daw', is also a noun, masculine in origin.

The definition given in Strong's (04093) is:

• knowledge, thought
• knowledge
• mind, thought, place of knowledge

Okay, now, let's have some fun!

Using the NIV Translation, I'm going to put some verses here with some of our study words in them. What I would like for us to do, is in our notebooks, to re-write them inserting different aspects of that original word (like we've done just a wee bit prior), but let us really dig in and allow the Lord to truly speak to our hearts in this more "in-depth" study. Ready? Let's begin!

Proverbs 1:2 "for attaining biynah (wisdom) and discipline; for biynah (understanding) words of insight;"


Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of da'ath (knowledge), but fools despise Chokmah (wisdom) and discipline."


Proverbs 2:2 "turning your ear to Chokmah (wisdom) and applying your heart to Tabuwn (understanding)"


Proverbs 2:3 "and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for biynah (understanding),"
please note, verses 2-11 would be a wonderful time of study for you to grasp this whole concept "in context"! As you find the time, may I encourage you to go to the Strongs Concordance, and look up each and every "wisdom, understanding, knowledge and insight" within these verses, following through the same format that we've been doing.

Proverbs 2:6 "For the Lord gives Chokmah (wisdom), and from his mouth come Da'ath (knowledge) and Tabuwn (understanding)."


Proverbs 8:12 "I, Chokmah (wisdom), dwell together with prudence; I possess Da'ath (knowledge) and discretion."


Proverbs 4:5 "Get biynah (wisdom), get biynah (understanding); do not forget my words or swerve from them."


2 Chronicles 1:12 "therefore Chokmah (wisdom) and Madda' (knowledge) will be given you"


1 Kings 4:29 "God gave Solomon Chokmah (wisdom) and very great insight, and a breadth of Tabwun (understanding) as measureless as the sand on the seashore."


Psalm 49:3 "My heart will speak words of leb (wisdom); the utterance from my leb (heart) will give leb (understanding)."


Proverbs 8:5 (KJV) "Oh ye simple, understand leb (wisdom); and, ye fools, be ye of an leb (understanding heart)."


Even though we've looked at Proverbs 24:3-4 now a couple of times, let us do it again.

The reason I keep hitting on this verse, is as women, one of the greatest calls upon our lives is that of our family. To truly be able to walk in His wisdom we will be able to have our homes established by His principles, and this passage puts it so beautifully. Yes, these studies (especially Chokmah) seem to speak of very powerful skills, most often applied to men (i.e. Solomon), but ladies, they are for us, too! As women, we nurture our families, support our husbands, and encourage those around us. How can we truly do that until we've sought after God with our whole heart, crying out to Him for wisdom, guidance, knowledge, understanding and insight?

Proverbs 24:3-4 "By Chokmah (wisdom) a house is built, and through Tabuwn (understanding) it is established; through da'ath (knowledge) its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."


Well, dear ones, that wraps it up for now. Thank you for your comments on these studies! May you continue to grow in His grace.

Please feel free to use the Strong's Concordance from here, or towards the bottom of the page, you'll see "Bible Study Tools", that will give you a pop up screen to use while you continue this study - so you may have two screens to work in, it might be easier for you.

(My deepest gratitude to CrossWalk for providing the blessing of these great Biblical resources on line!)

Let us take a look at another word used for "wisdom", The Hebrew word is hyXwt transliterated into "Tuwshiyah", pronounced Too-Shee-Yaw', which is a noun, feminine in origin/usage.

Meaning (according to Strong's # 8454):
• Wisdom, sound knowledge, success, sound or efficient wisdom, abiding success
  • Sound or efficient wisdom
  • abiding success (of the effect of sound wisdom)

And, one more word, I would like for us to look at, and that is hmr[ Transliterated `ormah, pronounced or-maw'

Meaning (according to Strong's # 6195)
• shrewdness, craftiness, prudence

For our study today, let us focus upon Proverbs 8. This is Wisdom's story - Wisdom is speaking here, for the most part, so let us see what Wisdom is saying.

Please read it through in at least two different translations, then, with in your notebooks, let us pick out several key points.

(Most of these words we have touched upon in the previous 5 weeks, however, there are a few [not translated into wisdom, understanding, or knowledge] that we will also be referring to. 

8:1
• wisdom = Chokmah
  • Lesson 1
  • or Strong's # 2451
• understanding = Tabuwn
  • Lesson 4
  • or Strong's # 8394

8:5
• understand/understanding = Biyn
  • Strong's # 995
• wisdom = 'ormuh
  • (today's lesson)
  • Strong's # 6195
• heart = Leb
  • Lesson 2
  • Strong's # 3820

8:9
• understandeth = biyn
  • Strong's # 995
• knowledge = Da'ah
  • Lesson 5
  • Strong's # 1847

one more . . . . 8:12 (again, remember, this is wisdom speaking)
• wisdom = Chokmah
  • Lesson 1
  • Strong's # 2451
• prudence = `ormah
  • (today's lesson)
  • Strong's # 6195
• knowledge = Da'ath
  • Lesson 5
  • Strong's # 1847
  What does Wisdom tell us about Itself? Take a look at Proverbs 8:14 (I'm using King James Version, here):
  
  "Counsel (Strong's # 6098 `estah, meaning counsel, advice & purpose) is mine, and sound wisdom (Strong's # 8454 Tuwshiyah - meaning sound wisdom, sound knowledge, success, sound or efficient wisdom, abiding success, etc.). I am understanding (Biynah - Strong's # 998); I have strength (G@buwrah, pronounced "gheb-oo-raw'", noun, meaning strength, valor, might & bravery)."
  
  Re-write this verse as the Lord speaks it into your heart -
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  "Father, God, I thank You for speaking Your Words of Wisdom into our lives. For allowing us the privilege of coming into Your presence, seeking guidance, wisdom and knowledge directly from Your throne of Grace. I thank you for Your Holy Spirit Who breaths life into these words and teaches us how to apply them to our day to day routines. Now, Father, I thank You for each and every precious soul that You have brought to this time of study, and I ask a special blessing upon each one as they continue on their journey with You this week. Blanket them with Your peace, surround them with Your love, and continue to enlighten their heart to the Truth of Your Word, in Jesus Mighty Name, amen."