Wisdom, in the book of Proverbs, is a multi-sided thing. In order to communicate what wisdom is, the introduction uses several different synonyms to help draw out what exactly wisdom is. For your study of this book, I thought I’d just provide some linguistic background so that as you study this book, you can understand exactly what is meant by the various words instruction, wisdom, learning, knowledge, etc. When you’re studying specific passages of the Bible, it is often helpful to look at the specific words used and ask “why this word and not another.” Use this guide to help understand exactly what the author/redactor meant when he was writing the introduction of Proverbs (vss. 1-7).
yd’ This is the verb for “to know.” It’s noun form (da’at) is also used in the proverbs for “knowledge.” Yd’ implies more than simple head knowledge or book smarts. Rather, yd’ always implies some sort of relational connection with the object being known. This is the word used throughout the Old Testament to refer to sexual intimacy. It implies that wisdom is not simply an intellectual matter, but rather is a relational matter that deals with the whole life.
hokma The noun hokma refers to wisdom proper. It, and its forms, refer to wisdom, the wise, and wise sayings. Hokma is the most general term to refer to wisdom. It refers to the skill of living well in the midst of the complicated nature of life.
musar Musar is translated as instruction, teaching, and discipline. This word too has a relational connotation to it. It refers to coming under another’s leadership for the purpose of being trained in wisdom. Moreover, this word carries with it a connotation of discipline and punishment. It is most closely related to our word discipline or disciple. A disciple is one who comes under another’s authority to be trained by them. (more…)
Renewed Minds 