The term "prudent" in the Bible refers to a person who is wise, discerning, and exercises good judgment. Prudence is often associated with foresight, careful consideration of consequences, and the ability to make sound decisions. In the biblical context, prudence is a virtue that is highly esteemed and is often linked with wisdom and understanding.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, prudence is frequently mentioned in the wisdom literature, particularly in the Book of Proverbs. Proverbs 12:16 states, "A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult." Here, prudence is contrasted with folly, highlighting the ability of the prudent to exercise self-control and overlook offenses.

Proverbs 13:16 further illustrates the concept: "Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly." This verse emphasizes that prudence involves acting with knowledge and understanding, rather than impulsively or recklessly.

The prudent person is also depicted as one who plans ahead and considers the future. Proverbs 22:3 says, "The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences." This verse underscores the foresight and caution that characterize the prudent, as they are able to anticipate potential dangers and take appropriate action to avoid harm.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, prudence is also valued as a characteristic of wise living. Jesus Himself commends prudence in His teachings. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), the prudent virgins are those who bring extra oil for their lamps, demonstrating foresight and preparedness. This parable illustrates the importance of being spiritually prepared and vigilant.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often encourages believers to live prudently. In Ephesians 5:15-16, he writes, "Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Paul exhorts Christians to be prudent in their conduct, making the most of their time and opportunities in a world that is morally challenging.

Theological Significance

Prudence is considered a key aspect of biblical wisdom. It involves not only intellectual understanding but also moral insight and the ability to apply knowledge in practical ways. The prudent person is one who aligns their actions with God's will, seeking to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

In the biblical worldview, prudence is not merely a human attribute but is seen as a gift from God. James 1:5 encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. Thus, prudence is both a divine gift and a human responsibility, requiring individuals to seek God's guidance and apply His principles in their daily lives.

Prudence in Christian Living

For Christians, prudence is an essential quality for navigating the complexities of life. It involves making decisions that reflect a deep understanding of God's Word and a commitment to living according to His principles. Prudence helps believers to discern truth from error, to manage resources wisely, and to build relationships that honor God.

In summary, prudence in the Bible is a multifaceted virtue that encompasses wisdom, foresight, and moral discernment. It is a quality that is highly valued and is integral to living a life that is aligned with God's purposes.1. (a.) Sagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in action, or in determining any line of conduct; practically wise; judicious; careful; discreet; sensible; -- opposed to rash; as, a prudent man; dictated or directed by prudence or wise forethought; evincing prudence; as, prudent behavior.

2. (a.) Frugal; economical; not extravagant; as, a prudent woman; prudent expenditure of money.

PRUDENCE; PRUDENT

proo'-dens, proo'-dent: In the Old Testament "prudence" is the translation of `ormah (Proverbs 8:12); also in the King James Version of sekhel (2 Chronicles 2:12, the Revised Version (British and American) "discretion"); and "prudent" is the translation of `arum, "subtle" (Proverbs 12:16, 23; Proverbs 13:16, etc.; compare Genesis 3:1 Job 5:12), and of bin (1 Samuel 16:18, the Revised Version margin "skillful"; Proverbs 16:21; Proverbs 18:15 Isaiah 5:21; Isaiah 10:13, the American Standard Revised Version "understanding," etc.), with other words. In the New Testament "prudence" occurs once as the translation of phronesis (Ephesians 1:8); "prudent" is in the King James Version the translation of sunetos, changed in the Revised Version (British and American) to "understanding" (Matthew 11:25 Acts 13:7); in 1 Corinthians 1:19, the American Standard Revised Version has "the discerning," the English Revised Version retains "prudent." In its etymological sense of seeing beforehand (contraction of "providence"), "prudence" does not occur in the New Testament. As forethought, foresight, prudence was reckoned one of the cardinal virtues by the ancient ethical writers. See the remarks of Coleridge on its lower and higher character in his Aids to Reflection, Aphor. 29.

W. L. Walker

2103. Euboulos -- "prudent," Eubulus, a Christian
... 2102, 2103. Euboulos. 2104 . "prudent," Eubulus ... Word Origin from eu and boule
Definition "prudent," Eubulus, a Christian NASB Word Usage Eubulus (1). Eubulus ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2103.htm - 6k

4908. sunetos -- intelligent
... intelligent. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sunetos Phonetic Spelling:
(soon-et'-os) Short Definition: intelligent, prudent, wise Definition ... prudent. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4908.htm - 7k

5429. phronimos -- practically wise, sensible
... sensible. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: phronimos Phonetic Spelling:
(fron'-ee-mos) Short Definition: intelligent, prudent Definition: intelligent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5429.htm - 8k

4998. sophron -- of sound mind, self-controlled
... sound, safe" and 5424 , "inner outlook" which regulates outward behavior) -- properly,
safe (sound) because , referring to what is prudent because correctly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4998.htm - 8k

4995. sophronismos -- self-control
... Cognate: 4995 (a masculine noun derived from 4998 , "truly moderate") -- properly,
safe-minded, issuing in prudent ("sensible") behavior that "fits" a situation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4995.htm - 7k

7919a. sakal -- to be prudent
... 7919, 7919a. sakal. 7919b . to be prudent. Transliteration: sakal Short
Definition: wise. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to ...
/hebrew/7919a.htm - 6k

7919. sakal -- to be prudent
... 7918, 7919. sakal. 7919a . to be prudent. Transliteration: sakal Phonetic
Spelling: (saw-kal') Short Definition: consider. consider ...
/hebrew/7919.htm - 5k

6175. arum -- crafty, shrewd, sensible
... Word Origin from arom Definition crafty, shrewd, sensible NASB Word Usage crafty
(2), prudent (2), prudent man (3), sensible (2), sensible man (1), shrewd (1). ...
/hebrew/6175.htm - 6k

6191. arom -- to be shrewd or crafty
... very, beware, take crafty counsel, be prudent, deal subtilly. A primitive
root; properly, to be (or make) bare; but used only in ...
/hebrew/6191.htm - 6k

7080. qasam -- to practice divination
... diviner prudent, soothsayer, use divination. A primitive root; properly,
to distribute, ie Determine by lot or magical scroll; by ...
/hebrew/7080.htm - 6k

995. bin -- to discern
... carefully (1), observe (1), observed (2), observing (1), paid close attention (1),
pay heed (2), perceive (5), perceived (2), ponder (2), prudent (4), regard (1 ...
/hebrew/995.htm - 7k

The Prudent Steward.
... XXV. THE PRUDENT STEWARD. "And he said also unto his disciples, There
was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxv the prudent steward.htm

And Antony Also was Exceeding Prudent, and the Wonder was that ...
... Life of Antony. Section 72. And Antony also was exceeding prudent, and
the wonder was that although he had? 72. And Antony also ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 72.htm

Men Entrust their Safety Rather to a Just than to a Prudent Man. . ...
... Book II. Chapter X. Men entrust their safety rather to a just than to a prudent
man.? Men entrust their safety rather to a just than to a prudent man. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter x men entrust their.htm

Whether Prudence Can be in Sinners?
... For our Lord said (Lk.16:8): "The children of this world are more prudent [Douay:
'wiser'] in their generation than the children of light." Now the children of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether prudence can be in.htm

The Yoke of Jesus.
... Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said,"'I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/the yoke of jesus.htm

And Perhaps Also from the Words, "For Ye See Your Calling...
... that are, that no flesh may glory in His presence;" [3589] some have been led to
suppose that no one who is instructed, or wise, or prudent, embraces the Gospel ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlviii and perhaps also.htm

Again on the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 25, "I Thank Thee, O ...
... "Because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed
them unto babes." [2288] Who are the "wise and prudent"? Who the "babes"? ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xviii again on the.htm

But Upon those who have Used Dissimulation Like David...
... He compares them to children, as not having manfully withstood the idolaters, but
to prudent children, because by artifice they avoided doing sacrifice. ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon v but upon those.htm

Whether Solicitude Belongs to Prudence?
... good. Objection 2: Further, he seems to be prudent, who seeks and does good
for himself. Now ... own. Therefore they are not prudent. Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether solicitude belongs to prudence 2.htm

Whether the Manner and Order of the First Temptation was Fitting?
... Therefore the serpent is unfittingly described (Gn.3:1) as "more subtle than any
of the beasts of the earth," or as "the most prudent of all beasts" according ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the manner and order.htm

Prudent (40 Occurrences)
... in action, or in determining any line of conduct; practically wise; judicious; careful;
discreet; sensible; -- opposed to rash; as, a prudent man; dictated or ...
/p/prudent.htm - 20k

Prudence (9 Occurrences)
... (n.) Wisdom in the way of caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence,
also, economy; frugality. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PRUDENCE; PRUDENT. ...
/p/prudence.htm - 11k

Thoughtless (17 Occurrences)
... him, (See JPS). Proverbs 14:15 The simple believeth every word; But the prudent
man looketh well to his going. (See JPS). Proverbs 14 ...
/t/thoughtless.htm - 10k

Prudently (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a prudent manner. ... For the sons of this world
are, for their own generation, more prudent than the sons of light. (DBY YLT). ...
/p/prudently.htm - 7k

Simple (40 Occurrences)
... in a bad sense (Proverbs 7:7, parallel to "destitute of understanding"; Proverbs
8:5, parallel to "fools" (blockheads); Proverbs 14:15, opposed to prudent). ...
/s/simple.htm - 21k

Inherited (23 Occurrences)
... are' they. (YLT NAS). Proverbs 14:18 The simple have inherited folly, And
the prudent are crowned 'with' knowledge. (YLT). Proverbs ...
/i/inherited.htm - 13k

Foolishness (30 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the
hearts of fools proclaim foolishness. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/f/foolishness.htm - 15k

Foreseeth (2 Occurrences)
... Foreseeth (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth
himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. (KJV WBS). ...
/f/foreseeth.htm - 6k

Paulus (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Sergius Paulus. A "prudent man" (RV, "man of
understanding"), the deputy (RV, "proconsul") of Cyprus (Acts 13:6-13). ...
/p/paulus.htm - 9k

Babes (18 Occurrences)
... At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast ...
/b/babes.htm - 12k

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