Bible Verses

Topical Study

Bible Verses About Wisdom

Bible verses on wisdom — knowing God, knowing yourself, choosing well.

39 verses · curated by hand

From the wider Bible

More verses about wisdom in Scripture

226 passages mentioning “wisdom” across WEB & KJV — beyond the curated set above.

Page 8 of 12

  1. Ecclesiastes 8:16

    “When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night sees sleep with his eyes),”

  2. Ecclesiastes 9:10

    “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.”

  3. Ecclesiastes 9:13

    “I have also seen wisdom under the sun in this way, and it seemed great to me.”

  4. Ecclesiastes 9:15

    “Now a poor wise man was found in it, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.”

  5. Ecclesiastes 9:16

    “Then I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.”

  6. Ecclesiastes 9:18

    “Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.”

  7. Ecclesiastes 10:1

    “Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.”

  8. Ecclesiastes 10:3

    “Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.”

  9. Ecclesiastes 10:10

    “If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.”

  10. Isaiah 10:13

    “For he has said, “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I have understanding: and I have removed the boundaries of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures. Like a valiant man I have brought down their rulers.”

  11. Isaiah 11:2

    “Yahweh’s Spirit will rest on him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Yahweh.”

  12. Isaiah 28:29

    “This also comes out from Yahweh of Armies, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom.”

  13. Isaiah 29:14

    “therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men will perish, and the understanding of their prudent men will be hidden.””

  14. Isaiah 33:6

    “There will be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of Yahweh is your treasure.”

  15. Isaiah 47:10

    “For you have trusted in your wickedness. You have said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and your knowledge has perverted you. You have said in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one else besides me.’”

  16. Jeremiah 8:9

    “The wise men are disappointed. They are dismayed and trapped. Behold, they have rejected Yahweh’s word. What kind of wisdom is in them?”

  17. Jeremiah 9:23

    “Yahweh says, “Don’t let the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might. Don’t let the rich man glory in his riches.”

  18. Jeremiah 10:12

    “He has made the earth by his power. he has established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding has he stretched out the heavens.”

  19. Jeremiah 49:7

    “Of Edom. Yahweh of Armies says: “Is wisdom no more in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom vanished?”

  20. Jeremiah 51:15

    ““He has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom. By his understanding he has stretched out the heavens.”

Frequently asked

Questions about wisdom in the Bible

What does the Bible say about wisdom?
The Bible frames wisdom as a relationship before it is an attainment. Proverbs 9:10 says, "the fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom; the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." James 1:5 invites anyone who lacks wisdom to "ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach." Wisdom in Scripture is not raw intelligence — it is the art of choosing well over a lifetime, with God as the source of judgement.
Where in the Bible is wisdom most clearly described?
Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are the two wisdom books most often read for this. Proverbs 1-9 is a long extended invitation to choose wisdom over folly. Ecclesiastes wrestles with what wisdom can and can't deliver in a fallen world. James in the New Testament restates the Hebrew tradition: "the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits" (James 3:17). Read across the three books over a season, not in a single sitting.
How do I gain wisdom according to the Bible?
Four moves the Bible repeatedly commends. Ask for it (James 1:5). Listen to it — Proverbs 19:20: "Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end." Walk with the wise — Proverbs 13:20: "One who walks with wise men grows wise." Apply it — Matthew 7:24 says the wise person is the one who "hears these words of mine, and does them." Wisdom is not just information held; it is information lived.