KNOW/KNOWLEDGE

nakar OT:5234, "to know, regard, recognize, pay attention to, be acquainted with." This verb, which is
found in both ancient and modern Hebrew, occurs approximately 50 times in the Hebrew Old
Testament. The first time is in Gen 27:23: "...he did not recognize him" (RSV).
The basic meaning of the term is a physical apprehension, whether through sight, touch, or hearing.
Darkness sometimes makes recognition impossible Ruth 3:14.
KNOW
yada means: (1) to know by observing and reflecting (thinking), and (2) to know by experiencing. The
first sense appears in Gen 8:11, where Noah "knew" the waters had abated as a result of seeing the
freshly picked olive leaf in the dove's mouth; he "knew" it after observing and thinking about what he
had seen. He did not actually see or experience the abatement himself.
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

Now that we know what wisdom and knowledge is. We must equally give attention to understanding.
Understanding is the middle ground betwwen acquiring knowledge and

Wisdom -

chakam OT:2450, "wise; skillful; practical." This word plus the noun chakemah and the verb "to be wise"
signify an important element of the Old Testament religious point of view. Religious experience was not
a routine, a ritual, or faith experience. It was viewed as a mastery of the art of living in accordance with
God's expectations. In their definition, the words "mastery" and "art" signify that wisdom was a process
of attainment and not an accomplishment. The secular usage bears out the importance of these
observations.
WISE

chokmah OT:2451, "wisdom; experience; shrewdness." This word appears 141 times in the Old
Testament. Like chakam, most occurrences of this word are in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes.

Chokmah is the knowledge and the ability to make the right choices at the opportune time. The
consistency of making the right choice is an indication of maturity and development.

UNDERSTANDING
UNDERSTAND

sakal OT:7919, "to be prudent, act wisely, give attention to, ponder, prosper."
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

bin OT:995, "to understand, be able, deal wisely, consider, pay attention to, regard, notice, discern,
perceive, inquire."
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

1. nous (<START GREEK>nou=$

<END GREEK>, NT:3563), for which see MIND, No. 1, is translated "understanding" in Luke 24:45, KJV
(RV, "mind"); 1 Cor 14:14,15 (twice), 19; 7; 18.

2. sunesis (<START GREEK>su/nesi$

<END GREEK>, NT:4907), akin to suniemi, "to set together, to understand," denotes (a) "the
understanding, the mind or intelligence," Mark 12:33; (b) "understanding, reflective thought," Luke
2:47; 1 Cor 1:19, RV, "prudence", Eph 3:4, RV (KV, "knowledge"); Col 1:9; 2:2; 2 Tim 2:7. See PRUDENCE,
No. 2.
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

Ps 119:34
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
KJV

Ps 119:73
73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy
commandments.
KJV

Ps 119:125
125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
KJV

Ps 119:144
144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
KJV

Ps 119:169
169 Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord: give me understanding according to thy word.
KJV

Solomon was considered the wisest man who ever lived. But Solomon did not ask for wisdom. He asked
for an understanding heart.

1 Kings 3:9-11
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between
good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life;
neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself
understanding to discern judgment;
KJV

The need for understanding is very important that even Jesus himself opened their understanding:
Luke 24:45
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
KJV

Now, excuse me for being candid about this. I know a lot of us have been part of this church for a long
time. We have acquired knowledge and have considered ourselves wise. But have we really reached
the level of understanding?
-

Why are we late? When we know that we should be early in our church services?
Why are we few in our mid-week services?
Why havent we committed yet in any of our ministries?
Why havent we committed to take part in our step of faith 2?

THE RESULT OF HAVING KNOWLEDGE, UNDERTSANDING IT and BEING WISE:

Prov 2:1-15

2 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
KJV