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חׇכְמָה

𐤇𐤊𐤌𐤄

chokmâh

H2452 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חכם to be wise, to act wisely, to be skillful

Definition

The quality or capacity of understanding, wise judgment, skillful ability, or practical insight, often implying expertise or mastery, especially in matters of life, governance, craftsmanship, or the observation of social or cosmic order. The word can denote practical skills (e.g., craftsmanship), shrewdness or cunning in administration or diplomacy, as well as ethical or moral discernment. The context determines whether the nuance is technical skill, administrative acumen, or moral insight.

Semantic Range

wisdom, skill (especially technical or artistic), expertise, shrewdness, prudence, intelligence, discretion, wise counsel, administrative acumen, moral discernment

Root / Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew root חכם (ח-כ-מ), typically meaning 'to be wise, to act wisely, to be skillful.' The noun form חׇכְמָה develops from this root and encapsulates not only wisdom in an abstract or theoretical sense but also practical skill and technical expertise.

Historical & Contextual Notes

חׇכְמָה appears throughout all layers of Biblical Hebrew, describing a quality valued both in secular and sacred settings. In early monarchic and patriarchal contexts, it includes practical talents for artisans, administrators, or diplomats (e.g., Exod 28:3; 1 Kgs 3:28). In later wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs, Job), the sense expands to include the pursuit of understanding, teaching, and personal moral or ethical conduct. The meaning can shift with genre: in legal or narrative passages, it may connote administrative competence or problem-solving; in poetic/wisdom books, it emphasizes reflective understanding and the right ordering of life. English 'wisdom' sometimes only partially corresponds—especially where חׇכְמָה refers to technical skill or artistry, which 'wisdom' does not always convey. The Aramaic equivalent (חָכְמָה) is almost identical in meaning. Not to be confused with other terms indicating simple knowledge or cleverness (e.g., דַּעַת, בִּינָה).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to חׇכְמָה; wisdom; wisdom.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חכם (ḥ-k-m) — to be wise, to act wisely, to be skillful

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2445 חַכִּים the wise ones
H2449 חָכַם wise man of
H2450 חָכָם wise one of
H2451 חׇכְמָה in wisdom
H2453 חַכְמוֹנִי Hachmonite clansman

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2452-01 חָכְמְתָ֛/א chakhemeta ANcfsd/Td wisdom the wisdom 3
H2452-03 בְ/חָכְמָה֙ vechakhemah AR/Ncfsa and wisdom wisdom-skill 3
H2452-02 כְּ/חָכְמַת kechakhemat AR/Ncfsc according to the wisdom according to wisdom-of 2

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2452-01 Daniel 2:20 חָכְמְתָ֛/א chakhemeta ANcfsd/Td wisdom the wisdom
H2452-01 Daniel 2:21 חָכְמְתָ/א֙ chakhemeta ANcfsd/Td wisdom the wisdom
H2452-01 Daniel 2:23 חָכְמְתָ֛/א chakhemeta ANcfsd/Td wisdom the wisdom
H2452-03 Daniel 2:30 בְ/חָכְמָה֙ vechakhemah AR/Ncfsa in wisdom wisdom-skill
H2452-03 Daniel 5:11 וְ/חָכְמָ֥ה vechakhemah AC/Ncfsa and wisdom wisdom-skill
H2452-02 Daniel 5:11 כְּ/חָכְמַת kechakhemat AR/Ncfsc like wisdom of according to wisdom-of
H2452-03 Daniel 5:14 וְ/חָכְמָ֥ה vechakhemah AC/Ncfsa and wisdom wisdom-skill
H2452-02 Ezra 7:25 כְּ/חָכְמַ֨ת kechakhemat AR/Ncfsc according to the wisdom according to wisdom-of
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