Bible verses about wisdom
The Bible says "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10), and that anyone who lacks wisdom should "ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally" (James 1:5). In Scripture, wisdom is not just knowing things; it is living rightly before God.
Wisdom is one of the Bible's largest themes. Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are often called the wisdom books, and Proverbs alone uses the word dozens of times.
The verses below trace where wisdom starts, how to get it, what it is worth, how God's wisdom differs from the world's, and what it looks like on an ordinary day.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:5 · KJV
Where wisdom begins
Nearly the same line appears in Proverbs, Psalms and Job.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10Wisdom starts with the fear of the LORD, meaning reverence for God, not cleverness.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7The theme verse of Proverbs: fools despise wisdom and instruction.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Psalm 111:10Adds that good understanding belongs to those who actually do God's commandments.
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Job 28:28After a long search for where wisdom can be found, Job's answer is the fear of the Lord and turning from evil.
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6Wisdom is a gift: out of God's mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Daniel 2:21Daniel praises God, who gives wisdom unto the wise and changes the times and the seasons.
Ask God for wisdom
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:5God gives wisdom liberally and does not scold the one who asks.
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?
1 Kings 3:9Offered anything, young King Solomon asked for an understanding heart to judge the people.
Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
1 Kings 3:12God granted Solomon a wise and an understanding heart unlike any before or after him.
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
1 Kings 4:29-30Solomon's wisdom is described as largeness of heart, like the sand on the sea shore.
Better than gold
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7Wisdom is the principal thing, so whatever else you get, get understanding.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Proverbs 3:13-14Finding wisdom brings a better return than silver or fine gold.
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Proverbs 16:16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold.
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Proverbs 8:11Wisdom is better than rubies; nothing you could want compares with it.
For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
Ecclesiastes 7:12Money protects, and so does wisdom, but wisdom also gives life to those who have it.
Wisdom from above, and the world's wisdom
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
James 3:13Real wisdom shows up in good conduct carried out with meekness.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
James 3:15Some wisdom does not come from above; James calls it earthly, sensual, devilish.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
James 3:17Lists the marks of heavenly wisdom: pure, peaceable, gentle, merciful, without hypocrisy.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Corinthians 1:25Even the foolishness of God is wiser than men.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1 Corinthians 3:19The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1 Corinthians 1:30Paul says Christ himself is made unto us wisdom.
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:3All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in Christ.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Romans 11:33Paul's praise at the depth of God's wisdom, whose ways are past finding out.
Wisdom for everyday life
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2Pride brings shame, but wisdom is found with the lowly.
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Proverbs 13:20You become like the people you walk with, wise or foolish.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Proverbs 12:15A fool is always right in his own eyes; a wise man listens to counsel.
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Proverbs 19:20Taking advice now makes you wise in thy latter end.
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Proverbs 15:22Plans fail without counsel and stand firm with many counsellors.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16Walk as wise, not as fools, redeeming the time.
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Psalm 90:12In a psalm traditionally credited to Moses, knowing our days are numbered helps us apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Matthew 7:24Jesus says the wise man is the one who hears his sayings and does them, building on rock.
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
Psalm 119:98-99God's commandments made the psalmist wiser than his enemies and his teachers.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Luke 2:52Even Jesus as a boy increased in wisdom and stature.
How well do you know Wisdom in the Bible?
7 questions, every answer checked against the King James text. Play it here, then try a full book quiz.
Common questions
What does the Bible say about wisdom?
It says wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 9:10), comes from God (Proverbs 2:6), and is given to those who ask (James 1:5). It is worth more than gold and shows itself in how a person lives.
Who was the wisest man in the Bible?
Solomon. When he asked for an understanding heart, God said "there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee" (1 Kings 3:12).
What are the wisdom books of the Bible?
Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are usually called the wisdom books, and many include Psalms and Song of Solomon in the group. Proverbs is traditionally attributed mostly to Solomon.
What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge in the Bible?
Knowledge is knowing what is true; wisdom is living by it. Jesus says the wise man is the one who hears his words and does them (Matthew 7:24).
100 Roots in Scripture
Every verse in its own language, in its own place
100 Roots in Scripture looks at the original Hebrew and Greek behind well-known verses, including Proverbs 9:10 and James 1:5 on wisdom.
See the book →