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Proverbs 8:11 — Word Study

Depth

WLCכִּֽי־ טוֹבָ֣ה חָ֭כְמָה מִפְּנִינִ֑ים וְכָל־ חֲ֝פָצִ֗ים לֹ֣א יִֽשְׁווּ־ בָֽהּ׃

BSAForkîy [because of this reason] wisdomchokmâh [skill, prudence, or good judgment] is more preciousṭôwb [valuable, highly esteemed] than rubiespânîyn [jewels, precious stones] and nothingkôl [not a single thing] you desirechêphets [long for, wish to have] comparesshâvâh [is equal, can be measured]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 8
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 11 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (Vah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 8:11quick helps
In a sentenceWisdom is described as more valuable than rubies, with nothing comparable to her.
Who is speakingThe speaker is a personified form of wisdom, addressing the audience.
Where we areThe verse is part of a poetic discourse on the value of wisdom.
The hard wordחָ֭כְמָה
Take awayWisdom is of utmost value, surpassing all earthly desires.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them › clause subjectחׇכְמָה verbשָׁוָה The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Proverbs 8:11

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Value of Wisdomgenerated

10Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.
12I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
13To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

Proverbs 8:11 emphasizes the unmatched worth of wisdom, illustrating that it is more precious than rubies and incomparable to any desires one may have. This section of Proverbs presents wisdom as a vital quality that should be sought after and valued above material wealth, as seen in the surrounding verses that highlight the importance of instruction and knowledge.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 3:14for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.
2Proverbs 4:5–7Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them.
3Proverbs 16:16How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
4Proverbs 20:15There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.
5Job 28:15–19It cannot be bought with gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word חָ֭כְמָה, chokh.mahgenerated

The word חָכְמָה (chokmah) refers to wisdom, encompassing skill, prudence, and good judgment. It is a feminine noun that emphasizes the qualities of discernment and insight, particularly in practical and ethical matters. The root of this word, חָכַם (chakam), suggests a deep understanding or skill in various domains.

In this verse, wisdom is presented as a valuable asset, indicating that it is not merely knowledge but a form of skill that guides one's actions and decisions. The context reinforces the idea that wisdom is essential for living a fulfilling life, surpassing even the most desirable material possessions.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יִֽשְׁווּ (they compare) governs the main clause, with two phrases attached: a noun phrase that serves as the subject and a prepositional phrase that describes what is being compared. The structure highlights the comparative nature of wisdom against jewels and desires.

The subject חָ֭כְמָה (wisdom) is positioned prominently, emphasizing its importance in the sentence, while the adverbial לֹ֣א (not) negates the possibility of comparison, reinforcing the unique value of wisdom.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates חָ֭כְמָה as σοφία (sophia), which carries a similar meaning of wisdom but can also imply a broader philosophical understanding. This choice aligns with the Greek tradition of valuing wisdom as a central virtue.

The word κρείσσων (kreisson) is used to express the comparative value of wisdom, suggesting a hierarchy of worth that resonates with the original Hebrew intent.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 8:11 tells us that wisdom is more valuable than rubies, and nothing we desire can compare to her. This verse highlights the importance of seeking wisdom above all material things, emphasizing her unique worth.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that wisdom is more precious than rubies?

It indicates that wisdom holds greater value than material wealth, suggesting that the insights and understanding gained through wisdom are far more beneficial.

How can I seek wisdom in my life?

You can seek wisdom through study, reflection, and by learning from experiences and the teachings of others, especially in moral and ethical contexts.

What are examples of desires that cannot compare with wisdom?

Desires for wealth, status, or physical pleasures are often fleeting and do not provide the lasting fulfillment that wisdom offers.

Why is wisdom personified as feminine in this verse?

In Hebrew literature, wisdom is often personified as a woman to emphasize her nurturing qualities and the idea of seeking her as one would seek a valued companion.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways have I seen the value of wisdom in my own life?
  2. How can I prioritize seeking wisdom over material desires?
  3. What steps can I take to cultivate wisdom in my daily decisions?
  4. How does understanding the value of wisdom change my perspective on my goals and aspirations?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Cyril of Alexandria quotes this verse to argue that wisdom is an incomparable blessing, surpassing all material wealth.

Cyril of AlexandriaCOMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 133 c. 376–444
It is written that “wisdom is better than stones of costly price; and all precious things are not comparable to her.” For the wisdom that comes from above, from God, is an incomparable blessing.
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 8 →

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 8:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

For wisdom [is] better than rubies,.... A sort of precious stones: or, "than precious stones" (z) in general; so the Targum and Septuagint, Arabic and Syriac versions; even than all of them, as the

Read John Gill on Proverbs 8 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. For wisdom is better than rubies - (cf. notes, Proverbs 3:14-15.)

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 8 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 8:11 For wisdom [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.Ver. 11. For wisdom is better than rubies.]

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 8 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) Rubies.—See above on Proverbs 3:15.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 8 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 11. Wisdom is better than rubies] See on Proverbs 3:15.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 8 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

11. rubies] See Proverbs 3:15, note. to it] Better, unto her, R.V.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 8 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

10, 11. Receive, etc. — Having recommended the character and quality of her instructions, she again urgently presses the acceptance of them. Instruction — Discipline, correction, precepts of restraint. See Proverbs 1:2, and note.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 8 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

NETBNew English Translation2006

For wisdom is better than rubies, and desirable things cannot be compared to her.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

For wisdom is better than rubies; And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared unto it.

RVARevised Version, American1894

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared unto her.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

For wisdome is better then precious stones: and all pleasures are not to be compared vnto her.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

for wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not equal to it.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

For better [is] wisdom than rubies, Yea, all delights are not comparable with it.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

For wisdom [is] better than rubies, || Indeed, all delights are not comparable with it.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

For wisdom is better than pearls; and all the things that men wish for are not equal to her.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

For Wisdom is better than jewels; no treasure is equal to her.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

For wisdom is better than all the most precious things: and whatsoever may be desired cannot be compared to it.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

For wisdom is more valuable than rubies; everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!

BBEBible in Basic English1949

For wisdom is better than jewels, and all things which may be desired are nothing in comparison with her.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

כִּֽי(dm)clausepredicateטוֹבָ֣ה[is].goodsubjectחָ֭כְמָהwisdomprepositional phrase · prepositionalמִmoreפְּנִינִ֑יםthan.coralsוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectכָלallחֲ֝פָצִ֗יםpleasuresadverbialלֹ֣אnotverbיִֽשְׁווּthey.compareprepositional phrase · prepositionalבָֽwithהּit

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in the content of Proverbs 8:11, with eight of the nine words matched. The differences are minor, reflecting variations in translation rather than significant textual discrepancies.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

כִּֽי־ טוֹבָ֣ה חָ֭כְמָה מִפְּנִינִ֑ים וְכָל־ חֲ֝פָצִ֗ים לֹ֣א יִֽשְׁווּ־ בָֽהּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
טוֹבָ֣הκρείσσωνחָ֭כְמָהσοφίαמִפְּנִינִ֑יםπολυτελῶνוְכָל־πᾶνחֲ֝פָצִ֗יםτίμιονלֹ֣אοὐκיִֽשְׁווּ־ἄχιονבָֽהּ׃αὐτῆς

8 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Proverbs 8:11כִּיforforכִּיטוֹב[is] good[is] goodטוֹבחָכְמָהwisdomwisdomחָכְמָהפְּנִינִיםmore than jmore than jewelפְּנִינִיםכֹּלand alland allכֹּלחֵ֫פֶץpleasurespleasuresחֵ֫פֶץלֹאnotnotלֹאשָׁוָהthey comparthey compareשָׁוָההָwith itwith itהָטוֹבbe pleasinbe pleasingטוֹבחָכַםbe wisebe wiseחָכַםכָּלַלto perfectto perfectכָּלַלחָפֵץto delightto delight inחָפֵץפִּנָּהCornerCornerפִּנָּהחֵ֫פֶץpleasurepleasureחֵ֫פֶץיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַעיָשָׁרJasharJasharיָשָׁרמַרְאֶהappearanceappearanceמַרְאֶהתְּבוּנָהunderstandunderstandingתְּבוּנָהדַּ֫עַתknowledgeknowledgeדַּ֫עַתחָכְמָהwisdomwisdomחָכְמָהעֵדָהcongregaticongregationעֵדָהעֲבֹדָהserviceserviceעֲבֹדָהשְׁבָאShebaShebaשְׁבָאשָׁאַלto askto askשָׁאַליָכֹלbe ablebe ableיָכֹלעוֹדstillstillעוֹד
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 8:11

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

for [is] good wisdom more than jewels and all pleasures not they compare with it
כִּֽי־ki- for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Amplified meaning
because of this reason
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for [is] good wisdom more than jewels and all pleasures not they compare with it
טוֹבָ֣הto.Vah [is] good H2896 Adj
538× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Amplified meaning
valuable, highly esteemed
Tyndale gloss
pleasant
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

טוֹב (tov) is a Hebrew word meaning good or pleasant, encompassing a wide range of meanings from agreeable to the senses to ethical goodness. It can function as an adjective, noun, or adverb, referring to things like welfare, happiness, and prosperity. The feminine form, טוֹבָה (tovah), specifically denotes welfare or good things.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

טוֹב adj. pleasant, agreeable, good

pleasant, agreeable to the senses

pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well

good, excellent, of its kind

good, rich, valuable in estimation

good, appropriate, becoming

c. מִן compar. = better

of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous

of man's intellectual nature, good understanding

good, kind, benign

good (ethical), right

base

טוֹב n.m. a good thing, benefit, welfare

welfare, prosperity, happiness

good things

good = benefit

moral good

base

טוֹבָה n.f. welfare, benefit, good things, good

welfare, prosperity, happiness

good things

bounty, good

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2896a טוֹב pleasant, agreeable, good . pleasant, agreeable to the senses

. pleasant to the higher nature, giving pleasure, happiness, prosperity, and so agreeable, pleasing, well

. good, excellent, of its kind

. good, rich, valuable in estimation

. good, appropriate, becoming

. c. מִן compar. =better

. of man's sensuous nature, glad, happy, prosperous

. of man's intellectual nature, good understanding

. good, kind, benign

. good (ethical), right

H2896b טוֹב a good thing, benefit, welfare H2896c טוֹבָה welfare, benefit, good things, good

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2896 towb tobe

from 2895; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used

likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine,

the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a

good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or

women), also as an adverb (well):--beautiful, best, better,

bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour,

fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s),

graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving,

merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious,

prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well

((-favoured)).

see HEBREW for 02895

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

טוֹב (tov) — pleasant.

adj

1) good, pleasant, agreeable

1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses)

1b) pleasant (to the higher nature)

1c) good, excellent (of its kind)

1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation

1e) good, appropriate, becoming

1f) better (comparative)

1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature)

1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature)

1i) good, kind, benign

1j) good, right (ethical)

Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)

טוֹב (tov) — good.

1) a good thing, benefit, welfare

1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness

1b) good things (collective)

1c) good, benefit

1d) moral good

טוֹבָה (to.vah) — welfare.

1) welfare, benefit, good things

1a) welfare, prosperity, happiness

1b) good things (collective)

1c) bounty

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAafsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

good (Tobh, Tubh, yaTabh; agathos, agathon, kalos, kalon): In English "good" is used in various senses, most of which are represented in the Bible.

(1) In the Old Testament the commonest word is Tobh, occurring very frequently and translated in a great variety of ways. Of the different shades of meaning, which frequently run into each other, the following may be distinguished:

(a) Possessing desirable qualities, beneficial, agreeable, e.g. "good for food" (Ge 2:9); "We will do thee good" (Nu 10:29); Who will show us any good?" (Ps 4:6); "good tidings of good" (Isa 52:7).

for [is] good wisdom more than jewels and all pleasures not they compare with it
חָ֭כְמָהchokh.mah wisdom H2451 Noun common · feminine singular absolute
153× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Wisdom refers to skill, prudence, or good judgment in areas like war, administration, or religion, as seen in the book of Proverbs.
Amplified meaning
skill, prudence, or good judgment
Tyndale gloss
wisdom
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

חָכְמָה (chokmah) means wisdom and encompasses various forms of skill, including in war and administration, as well as shrewdness and ethical prudence. It is built from the root word for wisdom, חָכַם (chakam). The term appears in contexts related to both practical and religious matters.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חָכְמָה n.f. wisdom

skill in war

wisdom, in administration

shrewdness, wisdom

wisdom, prudence in religious affairs

wisdom, ethical and religious

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2451 חָכְמָה wisdom . skill in war

. wisdom, in administration

. shrewdness, wisdom

. wisdom, prudence in religious affairs

. wisdom, ethical and religious

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2451 chokmah khok-maw'

from 2449; wisdom (in a good sense):--skilful, wisdom,

wisely, wit.

see HEBREW for 02449

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חׇכְמָה (chokh.mah) — wisdom.

1) wisdom

1a) skill (in war)

1b) wisdom (in administration)

1c) shrewdness, wisdom

1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs)

1e) wisdom (ethical and religious)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absolute
HNcfsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wiz'-dum:

1. Linguistic

2. History

3. Religious Basis

4. Ideals

5. Teaching of Christ

6. Remainder of the New Testament

(1) James

(2) Paul

7. Hypostasis

LITERATURE

1. Linguistic:

In the Revised Version (British and American) the noun "wisdom" and its corresponding adjective and verb ("be wise," "act wisely," etc.) represent a variety of Hebrew words: bin (binah, and in the English Revised Version tebunah), sakhal (sekhel, sekhel), lebh (and in the English Revised Version labhabh), tushiyah (and in the English Revised Version Te`em, `ormah, piqqach. None of these, however, is of very frequent occurrence and by far the most common group is the verb chakham, with the adjective chakham, and the nouns chokhmah, chokhmoth, with something over 300 occurrences in the Old Testament (of which rather more than half are in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes). Cokhmah, accordingly, may be treated as the Hebrew…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of Joseph Ge 41:16,25-39; Ac 7:10

→ Of Moses Ac 7:22

→ Of Bezaleel Ex 31:3-5; 35:31-35; 36:1

→ Of Aholiab Ex 31:6; 35:34,35; 36:1

→ Of other skilled artisans Ex 36:2

→ Of women Ex 35:26

→ Of Hiram 1Ki 7:14; 2Ch 2:14

→ Of Solomon 1Ki 3:12,16-28; 4:29-34; 5:12; 10:24

for [is] good wisdom more than jewels and all pleasures not they compare with it
מִפְּנִינִ֑יםmi.pe.ni.Nim more than jewels H6443 Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
6× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a precious stone, possibly a pearl or ruby, valued for its beauty. It is mentioned in Job 28:18, describing something very valuable.
Amplified meaning
jewels, precious stones
Tyndale gloss
jewel
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פְּנִינִים (paniyn) refers to jewels or precious stones, possibly including corals and rubies. It is derived from a root that suggests a round shape, akin to pearls. The entries indicate that it is a plural noun, with some uncertainty about specific types of stones it may include.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פְּנִינִים n.[f.]pl. corals (? as branching)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6443 פְּנִינִים, פָּנִין, פָּנִי

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6443 paniyn paw-neen'

or paniy {paw-nee'}; from the same as 6434; probably a pearl

(as round):--ruby.

see HEBREW for 06434

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פְּנִינִים (pa.nin) — jewel.

1) a precious stone

1a) perhaps corals, rubies, jewels

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-cp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absolute
HR/Ncmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Betrothal presents of Ge 24:53

→ Borrowed from Egyptians by Israelites Ex 3:22; 11:2; 12:35

→ Dedicated to the tabernacle Ex 35:22; Nu 31:50-52

→ Regarded by Jacob as obnoxious to holiness Ge 35:4; Ex 33:4-6; Isa 3:18-21

→ Tokens of love Eze 16:11-13

→ Worn by men Eze 23:42

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for [is] good wisdom more than jewels and all pleasures not they compare with it
וְכָל־ve.khol and all H3605 Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
5,415× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Amplified meaning
not a single thing
Tyndale gloss
all
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

Absolutely:

without the art., all things, all

with the art. הַכֹּל

where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all

. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3605 kol kole

or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;

hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a

plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any

(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as

many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,

whoso(-ever).

see HEBREW for 03634

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כֹּל (kol) — all.

1) all, the whole

1a) all, the whole of

1b) any, each, every, anything

1c) totality, everything

Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct
HC/Ncmsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.

(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.

(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).

(3) All one, "It is all one" (Job 9:22), "it makes no difference whether I live or die."

(4) At all, "If thy father miss me at all" (1Sa 20:6), "in any way," "in the least."

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for [is] good wisdom more than jewels and all pleasures not they compare with it
חֲ֝פָצִ֗יםcha.fa.Tzim pleasures H2656 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
39× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to pleasure or delight, often describing something that brings joy or happiness. In the Bible, it can also mean a valuable thing or a desire, like in Psalm 1.
Amplified meaning
long for, wish to have
Tyndale gloss
pleasure
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word חֵ֫פֶץ (*chephets*) primarily means delight or pleasure. It encompasses concepts of desire and longing, as well as the good pleasure or purpose of Yahweh. The word can also refer to something valuable or a matter of interest. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

חֵ֫פֶץ n.m. delight, pleasure

delight

desire, longing

the good pleasure, will, purpose, of Yahweh

that in which one takes delight, his business (late), or matter

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H2656 חֵ֫פֶץ delight, pleasure

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

2656 chephets khay'-fets

from 2654; pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a

valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in

mind):--acceptable, delight(-some), desire, things desired,

matter, pleasant(-ure), purpose, willingly.

see HEBREW for 02654

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

חֵ֫פֶץ (che.phets) — pleasure.

1) delight, pleasure

1a) delight

1b) desire, longing

1c) the good pleasure

1d) that in which one takes delight

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
for [is] good wisdom more than jewels and all pleasures not they compare with it
לֹ֣אlo' not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTn — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
for [is] good wisdom more than jewels and all pleasures not they compare with it
יִֽשְׁווּ־yish.vu- they compare H7737 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
21× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to set or place something, and it is used to describe the act of leveling or equalizing something. It can also mean to adjust or compare things, and it is used in various contexts in the Bible.
Amplified meaning
is equal, can be measured
Tyndale gloss
be like
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שָׁוָה (shavah) is a Hebrew verb that conveys the idea of being even or smooth, and extends to meanings like agreeing, resembling, or making something like another. It is built from a primitive root and covers a range of uses, including to level, set, or adjust. The entries indicate various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, which express different nuances of the verb.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׁוָה vb. (be even, smooth, v. Pi., hence) agree with, be like, resemble

Qal it was not equalled to me, i.e. not requited

Pi. he hath levelled

Hiph. make like

Nithp. (appar.) are alike

base

[שָׁוָה] vb. Pi. set, place

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7737a שָׁוָה (be even, smooth, v. Pi., hence) agree with, be like, resemble . make like

. (appar.) are alike

H7737b שָׁוָה Pi. set, place

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7737 shavah shaw-vaw'

a primitive root; properly, to level, i.e. equalize;

figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e.

counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield,

etc.):--avail, behave, bring forth, compare, countervail,

(be, make) equal, lay, be (make, a- )like, make plain, profit,

reckon.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׁוָה (sha.vah) — be like.

1) to agree with, be or become like, level, resemble

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be like

1a2) equivalent (participle)

1a3) to set, place

1a4) setting (participle)

1b) (Piel) to level, smooth, still

1c) (Hiphil) to make like

1d) (Nithpael) to be alike

Aramaic equivalent: she.vah (שְׁוָה "be like" H7739A)

שָׁוָה (sha.vah) — to set.

(Piel) to set, place

Aramaic equivalent: she.vah (שְׁוָה "be set" H7739B)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine plural
HVqi3mp
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kom-par' (damah, mashal, [`arakh]; paraballo, sugkrino): "Compare" is the translation of damah, "to be like" (So 1:9); of mashal, "to liken," "compare" (Isa 46:5); of `arakh, "to set in array," "compare" (Ps 89:6; Isa 40:18); of shawah, "to be equal" (Pr 3:15; 8:11).

In the New Testament sugkrino, "to judge" or "sift together," is translated "comparing," "comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (1Co 2:13 the English Revised Version), the American Standard Revised Version "combining" ("adapting the discourse to the subject," Thayer), the Revised Version, margin…

for [is] good wisdom more than jewels and all pleasures not they compare with it
בָֽהּ׃Vah with it H9034 Preposition · suffix
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָ (ha) — her.

Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffix
HR/Sp3fs
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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