Wisdom (Bible)

Occurrences in Scripture

Wisdom appears most frequently in Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes, the books known as wisdom literature.

• Proverbs: Declaring that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10), the book makes reverent fear and service of God the starting point of wisdom. In Proverbs 8, wisdom is portrayed as a person who cries out and speaks. This literary device is called personification.
• Job: Chapter 28 is a poem declaring that human beings cannot find wisdom on their own, and it concludes, "the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom" (Job 28:28).
• Ecclesiastes: The book reflects on the limits of human wisdom.
• 1 Kings: Solomon asks for "an understanding heart" and receives wisdom (1 Kings 3). There follow the account of his judgment between two women over an infant and a record celebrating his wisdom (1 Kings 4:29–34).

Term and Background

The Hebrew word chokmah denotes practical skill in living rather than abstract knowledge. Even the craftsmanship of the tabernacle artisan Bezalel is described as "wisdom" (Exodus 31:3). Israel's wisdom tradition shares features with the instructional literature of the ancient Near East, and scholars note that part of Proverbs (22:17 and following) resembles an Egyptian instruction text. The Bible is distinctive, however, in locating the source of wisdom in the LORD. The Greek word sophia is the term used in the New Testament and the Septuagint.

Continuation in the New Testament

The New Testament connects wisdom with Christ. Paul calls Christ "the power of God, and the wisdom of God" and contrasts the wisdom of the world with the wisdom of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:22–25). Colossians 2:3 states that in Christ "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." The Epistle of James urges believers to ask God for wisdom (1:5) and describes the character of "the wisdom that is from above" (3:17). Jesus is also presented as one "greater than Solomon" (Matthew 12:42).

Interpretation and Debates

• Proverbs 8 and Christ: The early church fathers often read the wisdom of Proverbs 8 as referring to Christ the Son. In the fourth century, the Arian party appealed to Proverbs 8:22 to argue that the Son is a created being, whereas supporters of the Council of Nicaea interpreted the verse in a way consistent with the Son's eternity. Today, reading the chapter as literary personification is also widely accepted. Some scholars further see the concept of the Logos in chapter 1 of the Gospel of John as connected to the wisdom tradition.
• The gift of wisdom: Views differ on the word of wisdom in 1 Corinthians 12:8. Pentecostal and charismatic traditions understand it as a supernatural gift given by the Holy Spirit, while other traditions regard it as a gift of teaching and discernment.
• Canonical questions: The Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church include the Wisdom of Solomon and Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) in the Bible, whereas Protestants classify these books as apocrypha.
• Later embellishments: 1 Kings records that Solomon "spake" of beasts and fowl (4:33). The story that he understood the speech of animals comes not from the biblical text but from later Jewish and Islamic tradition.

In the Korean Church

James 1:5 is frequently cited in prayers for wisdom before examinations, school admissions, and career decisions. Some churches are reported to practice a "thousand burnt offerings" offering (ilcheon beonje heongeum), inspired by the account of Solomon receiving wisdom after offering "a thousand burnt offerings" (1 Kings 3:4–5). Critics have argued that this practice applies the text in a way that departs from its intent.