Proverbs 1:2 - Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Bible Comments

To know. For discerning. So in verses: Proverbs 1:3; Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:6.

wisdom. Hebrew. chokmah. There are six words rendered "wisdom" in this book.

(1) chokmah, rendered "wisdom" except in the passages below. It occurs thirty-nine times in singular, and three times in plural (Proverbs 1:20; Proverbs 9:1; Proverbs 24:7. true wisdom); forty-two times altogether (6x7. See App-10).

(2) binah. discernment or discrimination. Once rendered "wisdom" (Proverbs 23:4). Elsewhere, in twelve passages rendered "understanding"; once "knowledge" (Proverbs 2:3).

(3) leb. heart; rendered "wisdom" four times (Proverbs 10:21; Proverbs 11:12; Proverbs 15:21; Proverbs 19:8).

(4) 'armah = shrewdness; rendered "wisdom" only in Proverbs 8:5. elsewhere only in Proverbs 1:4 rendered "subtilty"; Proverbs 1:12 rendered "prudence",

(5) sahal. prudence, or good sense, rendered "wisdom" once (Proverbs 1:3); and

(6) sekel = insight, rendered "wisdom" (Proverbs 12:8; Proverbs 23:9); elsewhere rendered "understanding" (Proverbs 3:4; Proverbs 13:15; Proverbs 16:22), and "prudence" (Proverbs 19:11). For "sound wisdom", see note on Proverbs 2:7.

instruction. admonition or discipline. Sometimes rendered "chastening".

words. sayings. Hebrew. 'imrah. See App-73.

understanding. Hebrew. binah. See note on "wisdom", Proverbs 1:2.

Proverbs 1:2

2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;