Proverbs 1:2

To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding.

The entire Old Testament book of The Proverbs is based on this introductory phrase which is part of a lengthy run on sentence!  We will dive into the other wisdom/wise phrases within this run-on sentence when we spend a full 31 Days of Proverbs finding the words wisdom and wise. But I think it worthwhile to put the full introductory sentence (vs 1-6) and its climax (v 7) here as a reference. 

The Proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; to know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding, to receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice, equity; to give prudence to the naïve, to the youth knowledge and discretion, a  wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

That is a mouthful! And it makes me wonder if Solomon and the New Testament Apostle Paul are distant relatives; both being masters of the run-on sentence! Speculation, of course and moving on.

What is not speculation is the clear message Solomon writes to his son; a plea really. 

Know Wisdom!

That’s it! That is the message of The Proverbs written by Solomon to his son…in a nutshell. 

And, since that was Solomon’s main objective in writing The Proverbs and God’s eternal purpose in His Holy Spirit driven inspiration of The Proverbs, let’s take a quick moment to define these two words that pervade throughout The Proverbs and will be the foundation of our 31 Days in Proverbs; Wisdom Calls! 

The Hebrew word for “know”, found here in Proverbs 1:2, is yada (H3045), a primitive root verb. That means yada stands on its own and is not derived from other Hebrew words. Every language has root words. So, what does yada mean? Some of the main entries of its definition are: “to know, learn to know: to perceive: to perceive and see, find out and discern: to discriminate, to distinguish: to know by experience: to recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess: to consider” 

The Hebrew word for “wisdom”, is hakma (H2451), a feminine noun, derived from hakam (H2449) a primitive root word, a verb which is also mostly commonly translated to our English word “wisdom”. We can surmise then that wisdom is not only a noun but also a verb and requires action. 

Hakma, the Hebrew noun in our verse two is defined: “skill (in war): wisdom (in administration): shrewdness, wisdom: wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs): wisdom (ethical and religious)”

In modern terminology we might make this summation:

“Son or daughter, you have to get this wisdom thing right and you have to do it continually every day and, in every situation you find yourself. Knowing wisdom is a life-long endeavor, but worth every effort you put into it. Because if you do not pursue wisdom and find it, foolishness will pursue and catch you and the end result will not be good.”