to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding;
Parallel translations
- KJV To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
- BSB for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight,
- NKJV To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding,
- NASB To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding,
- NLT Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The proverbs aim to impart wisdom, instruction, and the ability to discern wise words. They matter because Scripture defines their purpose: shaping us to think and live wisely.
Overview
This verse states the book's goal: to know wisdom (skill in godly living) and to understand words of insight. Biblical wisdom is not mere cleverness but practical righteousness rooted in God. It prepares the reader for a life that reflects God's order, fulfilled perfectly in Christ, the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:30).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Prov 7:4Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative,
- Deut 4:5–6Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as Yahweh my God commanded me, that you should do so in the middle of the land where you go in to possess it.
- 2 Tim 3:15–17From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
- 1 Kgs 3:9–12Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this great people of yours?”
- Prov 17:16Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?
- Prov 16:16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
- Prov 4:5–7Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don’t forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth.
- Prov 8:5You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 1:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.