חָכְמָה
Chokmah
Wisdom, skill, insight
When King Solomon could have asked God for anything — wealth, power, long life — he asked for chokmah (חָכְמָה), wisdom. And God was so pleased that He gave Solomon everything else too (1 Kings 3:9-13). But Hebrew wisdom is nothing like what we imagine. Chokmah doesn't mean being smart or intellectual. It means being skilled at living — the practical ability to navigate life according to God's design. The same word used for Solomon's wisdom is used for the craftsmen who built the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:3). In Hebrew, a master carpenter and a wise sage share the same word. Proverbs 8 goes even further, personifying Chokmah as a woman who was present at creation itself.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (chokmah), and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
Etymology & Root Letters
Chokmah comes from the root ח-כ-מ (chet-kaf-mem), meaning 'to be wise, skillful.' Biblical wisdom is not abstract philosophy — it's the practical skill of living well according to God's design.
How Chokmah Is Used in Scripture
Chokmah appears 149 times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. In Proverbs 8, Wisdom is personified as a woman who was present at creation — 'The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work' (Proverbs 8:22).
Cultural & Modern Context
The 'Wisdom Literature' of the Bible (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, some Psalms) forms a distinct genre focused on chokmah. King Solomon asked God for chokmah above all else (1 Kings 3:9) and became the wisest person who ever lived.
How to Use Chokmah in Prayer
Ask God for chokmah, just as Solomon did. James 1:5 promises: 'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously.' Biblical wisdom is available to all who ask in faith.
People Also Ask About Chokmah
Why is wisdom personified as a woman in Proverbs?
In Hebrew, chokmah is grammatically feminine, which naturally leads to feminine personification. But it goes deeper: Proverbs 8 presents Lady Wisdom as present at creation, delighting in humanity, and calling people to life. This feminine portrayal of divine wisdom emphasizes nurture, creativity, and relational knowledge — aspects of God's character that complement the more common masculine imagery.
How can I get biblical wisdom according to the Bible?
The Bible offers a clear path to chokmah: (1) Fear the LORD — 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom' (Proverbs 9:10); (2) Ask God — 'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God' (James 1:5); (3) Study Torah — 'Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies' (Psalm 119:98); (4) Seek counsel — 'In an abundance of counselors there is safety' (Proverbs 11:14). Wisdom is available to all who humbly seek it.
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