Wisdom

The word chokmah comes from the root of the verb chakam, “to be wise,” “to act wisely.” An adjective, chakam, “wise” also was formed from the same root. But chokmah is the parade word for the various words clustering around the idea of wisdom, understanding, discretion, and prudence.

But in the Old Testament, wisdom was to be pursued because it led one to know how to live successfully before God. Wisdom led to humility, respect, and service toward others.

12 Then I turned to consider wisdom, madness, and folly, for what will the king’s successor be like? He will do what has already been done. 13 And I realized that there is an advantage to wisdom over folly, like the advantage of light over darkness.

14 The wise person has eyes in his head,

but the fool walks in darkness.

Yet I also knew that one fate comes to them both. 15 So I said to myself, “What happens to the fool will also happen to me. Why then have I been overly wise?” And I said to myself that this is also futile. 16 For, just like the fool, there is no lasting remembrance of the wise, since in the days to come both will be forgotten. How is it that the wise person dies just like the fool? 17 Therefore, I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

13 Wisdom and strength belong to God;

counsel and understanding are his.

13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom

and who acquires understanding,

14 for she is more profitable than silver,

and her revenue is better than gold.

15 She is more precious than jewels;

nothing you desire can equal her.

16 Long life is in her right hand;

in her left, riches and honor.

17 Her ways are pleasant,

and all her paths, peaceful.

18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her,

and those who hold on to her are happy.

19 The LORD founded the earth by wisdom

and established the heavens by understanding.

20 By his knowledge the watery depths broke open,

and the clouds dripped with dew.

21 Maintain sound wisdom and discretion.

My son, don’t lose sight of them.

22 They will be life for you,

and adornment for your neck.

23 Then you will go safely on your way;

your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.

25 Don’t fear sudden danger

or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,

26 for the LORD will be your confidence

18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved. 19 For it is written,

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and I will set aside the intelligence of the intelligent.,

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? 21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached.

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

σοφία sophia; from 4680; skill, wisdom:—cleverness(1), learning(1), wisdom(49).

Foolishness

Foolishness is characterized by thoughts, behaviors, attitudes, or judgments that lack sense, prudence, and discretion. Foolish behavior may be immoral or dangerous and is often used for self-destructive tendencies. Foolishness stands in contrast to wisdom, prudence, and sound judgment.

FOLLY. While folly in the OT is sometimes plain silliness (e.g. Pr. 10:14; 14:15; 18:13), it is usually culpable: a disdain for God’s truth and discipline (Pr. 1:7). Hence even the ‘simple’ or gullible man (peṯî) is not merely ‘without sense’ (Pr. 7:7ff.) but fatally wayward (Pr. 1:32). He must make a moral and spiritual choice, not only a mental effort (Pr. 9:1–6, 13–18; Ps. 19:7). Likewise the ‘fool’ (known by various, virtually interchangeable terms, chiefly kesîl, ’ewîl, sāḵāl) is typically one who, like Saul, has ‘played the fool’ (1 Sa. 26:21) and closed his mind to God (e.g. Ps. 94:8ff.; Pr. 27:22; Je. 5:21). The most hardened folly is that of the ‘scoffer’ (lēṣ, e.g. Pr. 1:22; 14:6; 24:9) and of the aggressive unbeliever called the nāḇāl (1 Sa. 25:25; Ps. 14:1; Is. 32:5f.).