Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom

Someone I know put a post on facebook, it says "what's the difference between knowledge, understanding and wisdom?" He asked the question based on prov 24:3-4. I wanted to reply his post but ended up putting the answer on my blog, reason being, the reply might be of use for others and perhaps, this is too long for a facebook post =)

Actually those 3 words are quite similar and can be used interchangeably depending on the context. The Hebrew language itself is twice richer in vocabulary than english, that means 1 english word could possibly be translated into multiple Hebrew words. For .e.g 'understanding' could be translated to Tebunah, Bin, Binah, Sekel, lebab, manda.

In proverbs 24:3-4, 'Wisdom' comes from the word 'Hokmah', which means inner quality in the heart and life of a person in conformity with God's purpose and character, it could also simply mean 'skill' or 'ability'. According to other references in scripture wisdom is indicated as a divine attribute.

the second word is 'understanding' comes from the word 'tebunah'. It could mean intelligence, rational ability, moral discernment, insight, capacity or discerning the right course of action or skill.

the 3rd word is 'knowledge' ('daat'), could mean skill, human learning, and quite similar to the first 2 words that I've mentioned.

Now, looking into the context of Prov 24, the 1st verse was talking about how we should not envy or copy an evil man's way or desire. The writer of the verse than continue by using an illustration of building a house.

v3. 'Through wisdom a house is built', over here I think we can change the word wisdom with skill. We need certain craftsmen to build a house, I surely can't build one, I've never been a big fan of LEGO either. 'By Understanding it is established' I think the word 'understanding' here means intelligence, insight. We may build a house with craftsmen/skill but we also need intelligence/understanding to make sure that it is well established. Without understanding the house may collapse after a while or may not be strong enough when bad weather kicks in.

v4. 'by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious riches' , I think this is talking about the last stage, now that the house is built and well established by having wisdom and understanding but this is not the end, we still need to fill it, make it pleasant in the inside. I think the word 'knowledge' here means about human learning, by it we could continue the work to make the house more comfortable to live in.

By the way, I think the writer meant it more than building a house, I think these attributes are useful for building our lives.

fiuuuhh...i think this is very theological, you know what, In my simplified version, I'd say just do the right thing continually =)

Stef