Lexical Summary sekel: Insight, understanding, prudence, wisdom Original Word: שֶׂכֶל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance discretion, knowledge, policy, prudence, sense, understanding, wisdom, wiseOr sekel {say'-kel}; from sakal; intelligence; by implication, success -- discretion, knowledge, policy, prudence, sense, understanding, wisdom, wise. see HEBREW sakal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sakal Definition prudence, insight NASB Translation discretion (3), insight (4), intelligent* (1), repute (1), sense (1), shrewdness (1), understanding (4), wisdom (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שֵׂ֫כֶל, שֶׂ֫כֶל noun masculine prudence, insight; — ׳שֵׂ֫ absolute Psalm 111:10 +, construct Proverbs 19:11 +; ׳שֶׂ absolute 1 Samuel 25:3 +; שָׂ֑כֶל Job 17:4; suffix שִׂכְלוֺ Proverbs 12:8; Daniel 8:25; — 1 prudence, good sense: ׳טוֺבַת שׂ woman of good sense 1 Samuel 25:3. 2 insight, understanding: "" בִינָה 1 Chronicles 22:12; 2Chron 2:11, compare Job 17:4; טוֺב ׳שׂ Proverbs 3:4; Proverbs 13:15; Psalm 111:10; 2Chronicles 30:22; ׳אִישׂ שׂ Ezra 8:18; ׳יוֺעֵץ בְּשׂ 1 Chronicles 26:14; בְּעָלָיו ׳מְקוֺר חַיִּים שׂ Proverbs 16:22; restrains from anger Proverbs 19:11, wins praise Proverbs 12:8, fool despises מִלִּים ׳שׂ Proverbs 23:9; ׳שׂוֺם שׂ Nehemiah 8:8 ("" הֵבִין) set forth (the) understanding (i.e. the meaning). 3 bad sense, cunning, craft, Daniel 8:25. Topical Lexicon Definition and Conceptual Scope שֶׂכֶל denotes sound judgment expressed in thoughtful action—a fusion of moral insight, practical prudence, and successful execution. It is more than raw intelligence; it is the kind of understanding that aligns with God’s revealed will and therefore leads to favor, life, and blessing. Occurrences and Distribution Sixteen appearances span historical narrative, wisdom literature, liturgy, post-exilic reforms, and apocalyptic prophecy. The breadth of settings underscores that true understanding is needed by every generation and vocation within the covenant community. Wisdom Literature Emphasis Proverbs repeatedly links שֶׂכֶל with favor and life: “Good understanding wins favor” (Proverbs 13:15), and “Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor” (Proverbs 16:22). Psalm 111:10 reports that those who practice the LORD’s precepts “have good understanding.” Here שֶׂכֶל grows out of the fear of the LORD, showing that ethical obedience is the seedbed of genuine insight. Leadership and Governance Twice David prays that Solomon be granted שֶׂכֶל for temple construction and national administration (1 Chronicles 22:12; 2 Chronicles 2:12). Later, gatekeeper Zechariah is chosen because he is “a counselor with insight” (1 Chronicles 26:14). In each case, effective leadership depends on discerning God’s purposes and translating them into policy and workmanship. Worship and Ministry Hezekiah “encouraged all the Levites who showed good understanding of the service of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 30:22), and Ezra recruits Sherebiah, “a man of insight,” for temple duties (Ezra 8:18). When Nehemiah’s teachers “gave the meaning so that the people could understand” the Law (Nehemiah 8:8), they modeled pastoral ministry grounded in שֶׂכֶל—bridging Scripture and life. Contrast with Folly and Deception Proverbs warns that the absence of שֶׂכֶל brings social contempt (Proverbs 12:8) and relational strife (Proverbs 19:11). Job laments that God has “closed their minds to understanding” (Job 17:4), a judicial hardening that leaves the proud without elevation. Daniel 8:25 applies the term ironically to the Antichrist figure: “By his cunning he will cause deceit to prosper.” This counterfeit “insight” is self-exalting and doomed, proving that true שֶׂכֶל always bows before the “Prince of princes.” Practical Ministry Implications 1. Teaching: Faithful exposition seeks not mere information but the impartation of שֶׂכֶל, enabling hearers to align conduct with covenant truth. Summary שֶׂכֶל is the living wisdom that flows from reverent obedience to God, equips leaders, strengthens worship, blesses relationships, and guards the covenant community against deception. Wherever this understanding is sought and embraced, Scripture assures enduring favor “in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:4). Forms and Transliterations בְּשֶׂ֗כֶל בשכל הַמַּשְׂכִּילִ֥ים המשכילים וְשֵֽׂכֶל־ ושכל־ כלו לְשֵׂ֣כֶל לשכל מִּשָּׂ֑כֶל משכל שִׂ֭כְלוֹ שִׂכְל֗וֹ שֵֽׂכֶל־ שֵׂ֣כֶל שֶׂ֔כֶל שֶׂ֙כֶל֙ שכל שכל־ שכלו bə·śe·ḵel beSechel bəśeḵel chelov ham·maś·kî·lîm hammaskiLim hammaśkîlîm ḵə·lōw ḵəlōw lə·śê·ḵel leSechel ləśêḵel miś·śā·ḵel misSachel miśśāḵel śe·ḵel śê·ḵel śê·ḵel- sechel śeḵel śêḵel śêḵel- sichLo śiḵ·lōw śiḵlōw vesechel wə·śê·ḵel- wəśêḵel-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 25:3 HEB: וְהָאִשָּׁ֤ה טֽוֹבַת־ שֶׂ֙כֶל֙ וִ֣יפַת תֹּ֔אַר KJV: of good understanding, and of a beautiful INT: and the woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance 1 Chronicles 22:12 1 Chronicles 26:14 2 Chronicles 2:12 2 Chronicles 30:22 Ezra 8:18 Nehemiah 8:8 Job 17:4 Psalm 111:10 Proverbs 3:4 Proverbs 12:8 Proverbs 13:15 Proverbs 16:22 Proverbs 19:11 Proverbs 23:9 Daniel 8:25 16 Occurrences |
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