Proverbs 1:2-4 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
‘To know …’ The fifteenfold purpose of Proverbs: To know wisdom (1:2). To know instruction. To perceive understanding. To receive instruction in wisdom (1:3). To receive instruction in justice. To receive instruction in judgment. To receive instruction in equity. To give subtlety to the simple (1:4). To give young men knowledge. To give young men discretion. To attract the wise man (1:5). To increase learning. To help attain wise counsel. To make known the words of the wise in proverbial form (1:6). To express dark sayings.
‘Wisdom’ [Hebrew: Chokmah] wisdom, prudence, shrewdness, skill. Translated as “wisdom” 145 times (1:2, 7; 2:2, 6, 10; 3:13, 19; 4:5, 7, 11; 5:1; 7:4; 8:1, 11-12; 9:10; 10:13, 23, 31; 11:2; 13:10; 14:6, 8, 33; 15:33; 16:16; 17:16; 24; 18:4; 21:30; 23:23; 24:3, 24:14; 28:26; 29:3, 15; 30:3; 31:26; Ex. 28:3; 31:3, 6; 35:26; 31, 35; 36:1-2; Ps. 37:30; 51:6; 90:12; 104:24; 111:10; Eccl. 1:13-18; 2:3-26; 7:11-25; 8:1, 16;). It is the predominant word for wisdom in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
‘Instruction’ [Hebrew: muwcar] to understand; comprehend; chasten; discipline.
‘Understanding’ [Hebrew: biynah] discernment and discrimination. Translated as understanding (1:2; 3:5; 4:1-7; 7:4; 8:14; 9:6, 10; 16:16; 23:23; 30:2); wisdom (23:4); and knowledge (2:3).
‘Wisdom’ [Hebrew: sakal] prudence, good sense. Translated as “wisdom” (1:3); “wise” (10:5, 19; 14:35; 15:24; 17:2); “wisely” (16:20; 21:12); “teach” (16:23); “instruct” (21:11); “prosper” (17:18); “prudent” (19:14); and “understanding” (21:16).
‘Justice’ [Hebrew: tsedeq] righteousness, justice (1:3; 2:9; 8:15; Job 8:3; Ps. 89:14; etc.).
‘Judgment’ [Hebrew: mishpat] verdict; sentence; decree. Translated as “judgment” 296 times (Ex. 21:31; 23:2, 6; etc.).
‘Equity’ [Hebrew: meyshar] evenness. Translated as “equity” (1:3; 2:9; Ps. 98:9; 99:4) and “equal” (17:2).
‘Subtilty’ [Hebrew: ‛ormah] shrewdness. Translated as “subtilty” (1:4; cp. Gen. 3:1; Matt. 10:16); “guile” (Ex. 21:14); “wilily” (Jos. 9:4); “wisdom” (8:5); and “prudence” (8:12).
‘Simple’ [Hebrew: pethiy] inconsiderate; unwary; artless, guileless, and unsuspecting; those who, through lack of knowledge and experience, act rashly and unwisely (1:22, 32; 7:7; 8:5; 9:4, 16; 14:15, 18; 19:25; 21:11; 22:3; 27:12). Referring to those who are unsaved.
Living the Word 