Wise
חָכָםStrong’s H2450chakham (cha-kham)
Appears in 134 verses of the Old Testament
In short
Chakham is the Hebrew word usually translated “wise”, “skillful of” and “wise of”. It appears in 134 verses of the Old Testament.
“And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.”
Meaning
- Wise, wise (man)skilful (in technical work) · wise (in administration) · shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle · learned, shrewd (class of men) · prudent · wise (ethically and religiously)
How it's translated
- wise 63
- a wise 16
- skillful of 7
- wise of 6
- skillful 5
- wise its 3
- and wise 3
- the skillful 3
Word-by-word English from the STEPBible tagged text.
Where it's used most
- Proverbs 47
- Ecclesiastes 20
- Jeremiah 11
- Exodus 9
- Job 8
- Isaiah 8
18 books in all.
Explore in Scripture
- Genesis 41:33Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
- Genesis 41:39And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
- Exodus 7:11Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
- Exodus 28:3And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
- Exodus 31:6And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;
- Exodus 35:10And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded;
All 134 verses, by book
Hebrew dictionary
חָכָם chakham · wise
1) wise, wise (man) 1a) skilful (in technical work) 1b) wise (in administration) 1c) shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle 1d) learned, shrewd (class of men) 1e) prudent 1f) wise (ethically and religiously)
From STEPBible’s Hebrew lexicon (based on Brown-Driver-Briggs).
Webster's 1828 Dictionary
How the English word “wise” was understood when the King James Version was still the common Bible of English readers.
WISE, adjective
s as z. [G., to know., Latin ]
- Properly, having knowledge; hence, having the power of discerning and judging correctly, or of discriminating between what is true and what is false; between what is fit and proper, and what is improper; as a wise prince; a wise magistrate.
- Discrete and judicious in the use or applications of knowledge; choosing laudable ends, and the best means to accomplish them. Genesis 41:8
- Skillful; dextrous.“They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge” Jeremiah 4:22
- Learned; knowing; as the wise and the unwise. Romans 1:14
All definitions and other forms of “wise”
- Skilled in arts, science, philosophy, or in magic and divination. 2 Samuel 14:2
- Godly; pious. Proverbs 13:1“--The holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise to salvation” 2 Timothy 3:15
- Skilled in hidden arts; a sense somewhat ironical; as the wise woman of Brainford.
- Dictated or guided by wisdom; containing wisdom; judicious; well adapted to produce good effects; applicable to things; as a wise saying; a wise scheme or plan; wise conduct or management; a wise determination.
- Becoming a wise man; grave; discrete; as wise deportment.
WISE, noun
s as z. [G.] Manner; way of being or acting.
- In any wise“If he that sanctified the field will in any wise redeem it--” Leviticus 27:19“Fret not thyself in any wise” Psalms 37:8
- On this wise“On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel” Numbers 6:23
- In no wise He shall in no wise lose his reward. Matthew 10:16
Noah Webster, An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828). Verse references are checked against the KJV. Read the full entry.
Verses are from the King James Version. Word meanings come from the original Hebrew, not from any one translation.