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wisdom


A term used in the Bible for many things, ranging from the technical skill of the artisan (Exod 36:8) to the art of government (1Kgs 3:12; 1Kgs 3:28). It also designates simple cleverness (2Sam 14:2), especially the practical skill of coping with life (Prov 1; Prov 5; Prov 11; Prov 14) and the pursuit of a lifestyle of proper ethical conduct (Prov 2:9-11; and throughout). Wisdom is also seen as belonging properly to God (Job 28), associated with creation (Prov 8:22-31), and even identified with the Torah, or law (Sir 24:23). In the NT, wisdom is a prominent concern in Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians (1Cor 1:17-25; 1Cor 2:6-16) and in the Letter of James (Jas 1:5; Jas 3:13-18).

  • Powell, Mark Allan, ed. HarperCollins Bible Dictionary. Abridged Edition. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2009.