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\'智慧之屋”中的七大支柱

TJKCB (2017-03-04 15:45:23) 評論 (0)

"智慧之屋”中的七大支柱: 智慧七柱

已有 14 次閱讀 2017-3-4 15:38 |個人分類:英語寫作（群組群主)|係統分類:觀點評述    推薦到群組

Whatever human beings got their hands on, it's so confusious. Here is a list of the seven pillars of "House of Wisdom" - Which one do you like? (1)“智慧之屋”中的七大支柱：純潔，平和，溫柔，合理，樂於助人，謙卑，誠意the seven great pillars in the"house of wisdom": purity, peaceableness, gentleness, reasonableness, helpfulness, humility, sincerity.Chinese interpretation: (2) 智慧的七柱

　　若仔細讀箴言第十章至二十一章，根據對比或對應律，讀者會在離開“智慧鑿成七柱”這句話不遠的地方找到了智慧的七柱，答案是：第一、是公義；第二、是殷勤；第三、是正直；第四、是仁慈；第五、是節製；第六、是誠實；第七、是謙卑。這個次序是根據第十章七柱出現的次序，在第十章裏可以找到了六根柱子。第七根柱子是在第十一章二節。然後再讀下去就是翻來覆去，翻來覆去善惡互論這也很好，千萬不要以為一點意思也沒有，它就藉著善惡互論來解釋什麽是公義；什麽是殷勤，等等。 (3)
1

Prudence
2

Knowledge and discretion
3

Fear of God
4

Counsel
5

Sound Wisdom
6

Understanding
7

Power
 
1
謹慎

2
知識和酌處權

3
害怕上帝

4
法律顧問

5
合理的智慧

6
理解

7
功率
 

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Isaiah 以賽亞書 54:10

大山可以挪開，小山可以遷移，但我的慈愛必不離開你，我平安的約也不遷移。這是憐恤你的耶和華說的。

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

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《智慧的七柱》（英語：Seven Pillars of Wisdom）是托馬斯·愛德華·勞倫斯根據自己在1916-1918作為聯絡官參與了阿拉伯起義的經曆所著的自傳。書名源自《舊約聖經》的箴言(9:1)：「智慧建造房屋、鑿成七根柱子」。

 

摘自《智慧的七柱》的一段章句：

  • "All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible."
    「所有人都做夢，但是卻不盡相同。那些晚上做夢的人白天醒來，會發現這些夢是虛無的。但是那些白天做夢的人卻是非常危險的，因為他們會行動起來，讓自己的夢變成現實。」

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Invitations of Wisdom and Folly
1                                        Wisdom has built her house; she has set upa its seven pillars.                                    
2                                        She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.                                    
3                                        She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city,                                    
4“Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,                                    
5“Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.                                    
6                                        Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”                                    
7                                        Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.                                    
8                                        Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.                                    

9                                        Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

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Robostic translation:

智慧和愚蠢的邀請
1智慧建造她的房子;她設立了七個支柱。2她已經準備了她的肉，混合了她的酒;她也設置了她的桌子。3她已經差遣她的仆人，從城裏的最高點呼叫，4“願所有簡單的人來到我家裏。”對於那些沒有意義的人，她說：“來，吃我的食物和飲料我混合的葡萄酒。6離開你簡單的方法，你會生活;走在洞察的方式。“7修改嘲笑者的人邀請侮辱;任何指責惡人的人都會受到虐待。8不要責備嘲笑者，否則他們會恨你;責備明智，他們會愛你。9指示智慧人，他們會更聰明的靜止;教導義人，他們將增加他們的學習

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Question: "What are the seven pillars of wisdom in Proverbs 9:1?"

Answer: Proverbs 9:1 states, “Wisdom has built her house; / she has set up its seven pillars.” This is obviously a symbolic description, since wisdom is personified. What are these “seven pillars” that wisdom has erected?

Many explanations exist regarding the seven pillars of wisdom in this passage. One idea is that, since the number seven often expresses completeness in Scripture, the passage communicates that the application of wisdom results in a complete, orderly, well-furnished house, one that lacks nothing.

Some commentators see the seven pillars as describing a traditional banquet pavilion. Understood this way, Wisdom’s call in Proverbs 9:5 is perfectly fitting: “Come, eat my food / and drink the wine I have mixed.”

Some ancient writings described the world as resting on seven pillars. If this was the author’s meaning, it is possible that “her house” in Proverbs 9:1 is parallel in some way with the world. However, this is an unlikely understanding of this particular proverb.

Some have theorized that the seven pillars of wisdom may refer to seven sections of Proverbs in the content previous to chapter 9.

In considering these interpretive options, it is most likely that “her house” and “seven pillars” both refer to a home that is in proper order, with the use of “seven” emphasizing its completeness and all-sufficiency. The following verses continue to describe other aspects of wisdom personified as a woman. She prepares a meal and invites people to attend to gain wisdom: “Leave your simple ways and you will live; / walk in the way of insight” (Proverbs 9:6). Wisdom has much to offer, and she invites everyone to come share her satisfying feast.

In contrast, verses 13–18 describe the way of folly, also personified as a woman. Folly is loud, seductive, and unwise (Proverbs 9:13). She seeks to deceive the simple-minded into stopping at her home to drink stolen water and secret bread (verses 16–17). Those who do find death instead of life (verse 18).

Proverbs chapter 9 is presented in a chiastic structure, meaning the first and last portions are parallel ideas with the main point in the center passage (verses 7–12). These verses emphasize a central truth: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, / and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). The entire chapter is devoted to the emphasis of seeking wisdom, avoiding folly, and finding this wisdom in the Lord.

Recommended Resource: Proverbs NIV Application Commentary by Paul Koptak

https://www.gotquestions.org/seven-pillars-wisdom.html

--

Robotic translation:

問題：“箴言9：1中智慧的七大支柱是什麽？

答：箴言9：1說：“智慧建造了她的房子; /她已經建立了它的七個支柱。“這顯然是一個象征性的描述，因為智慧是人格化的。智慧建立的這七個“支柱”是什麽？

關於這段話中智慧的七大支柱，有許多解釋。一個想法是，由於第七個經文在聖經中經常表達完整性，所以經文告訴人們，智慧的應用導致一個完整，有序，裝備精良的房子，一個沒有任何東西。

一些評論家將七個支柱描述為一個傳統的宴會館。以這種方式理解，智慧在箴言9：5中的呼召是完全合適的：“來，吃我的食物和喝我混合的葡萄酒。

一些古代的著作將世界描述為基於七根柱子。如果這是作者的意思，可能是箴言9：1中的“她的家”與世界在某種程度上是平行的。然而，這是不可能的理解這個特定的諺語。

有些人認為智慧的七大支柱可以參考第九章之前的內容中的七節箴言。

在考慮這些解釋選擇時，很可能“她的房子”和“七個支柱”都指的是一個正確的順序的房子，使用“七”強調其完整性和充分性。以下經文繼續描述作為一個女人被人化的智慧的其他方麵。她準備一頓飯，邀請人們參加以獲得智慧：“離開你簡單的方式，你會生活; /走在洞察的方式“（箴言9：6）。智慧有很多提供，她邀請每個人來分享她滿意的節日。

相比之下，13-18節描述了愚蠢的方式，也被人化為女人。愚蠢是大聲，誘人和不明智的（箴言9:13）。她試圖欺騙簡單的人，在她家中停止喝水和秘密麵包（16-17節）。那些找到死亡而不是生命的人（18節）。

箴言第9章以一個卡通結構表示，意思是第一和最後一部分是平行的想法與中心通道的主要點（7-12節）。這些經文強調一個中心的真理：“對主的懼怕是智慧的開始，/和聖潔的知識是理解”（箴言9:10）。整個章節致力於尋求智慧，避免愚蠢，並在主裏找到這種智慧。

推薦資源：箴言NIV應用評論由Paul Koptak

 

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The Seven Pillars of Wisdom      

by        Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.            

"Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars." (Proverbs 9:1)

The foundation of the house of wisdom is "the fear of the Lord . . . the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10). One does not finally reach the Lord through much study and the acquisition of much wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the very "beginning of wisdom." Without a reverent trust in the God of creation and redemption, there can be no true wisdom. "For other foundation can no man lay than . . . Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Then, erected upon this foundation and supporting all the superstructure of the "house of wisdom" are seven mighty pillars, or columns. But what are these? The answer seems to be found in that New Testament book of wisdom, the Book of James, where it is said that, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God" (James 1:5). Then, "a wise man and endued with knowledge . . . |will| show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom" (James 3:13).

Finally, the seven great pillars seem to be listed in James 3:17: "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." The first in the list or central column, carrying more weight than any of the other columns in the structure, is purity. Then there are six outside pillars. One is peaceableness; the next is gentleness; then comes reasonableness ("easy to be entreated"). The next phrase, "full of mercy and good fruits," connotes helpfulness. The term for "without partiality" actually means humility, and then the final pillar is sincerity.

 

the seven great pillars in the"house of wisdom": purity, peaceableness, gentleness, reasonableness, helpfulness, humility, sincerity

 

Thus a life of genuine wisdom is a life founded upon the fear of the Lord and supported by genuine purity, peaceableness, gentleness, reasonableness, helpfulness, humility, and sincerity. Such a house will never fall! HMM

-- Robotic translation:

智慧的七大支柱

作者：Henry M. Morris，Ph.D.

創造的證據


“智慧建造了她的房子，她已經把她的七根柱子打了出來。 （箴言9：1）

智慧之殿的基礎是“對耶和華的敬畏......智慧的開始”（箴言9:10）。人不是通過許多學習和獲得許多智慧終於到達主。對主的恐懼是“智慧的開始”。沒有對創造和救贖的神的虔誠信任，就沒有真正的智慧。 “對於其他基礎，沒有人比......耶穌基督”（哥林多前書3:11）。

然後，豎立在這個基礎上並支持“智慧之家”的所有上層建築是七個強大的支柱或柱。但是這些是什麽？答案似乎出現在新約智慧書中的雅各書中，在那裏有人說：“如果你們中任何人缺乏智慧，就讓他問上帝”（雅各書1：5）。然後，“一個聰明的人，用知識灌輸... |將|顯示出一個好的談話他的智慧溫柔的工作”（雅各書3:13）。

最後，七個偉大的支柱似乎列在雅各書3:17中：“但是，從上麵的智慧是純潔的，然後是和平，溫柔，容易被咒詛，充滿憐憫和好果子，沒有偏見和沒有虛偽“。列表或中心列中的第一個，比結構中的任何其他列承載更多的重量，是純度。然後有六個外柱。一個是和平;接下來是溫柔;然後是合理的（“容易被處理”）。下一句話“充滿慈悲和好果子”意味著樂於助人。 “不偏袒”一詞實際上是指謙卑，最後一個支柱是誠意。

因此，真正的智慧的生活是建立在對主的恐懼的基礎上，並以真正的純潔，和平，溫柔，合理，樂於助人，謙卑和誠實為支撐的生命。這樣的房子永遠不會落下！ HMM

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chinese interpretation~~~~~~~~`

http://www.jiduzhijia.com/book/cxz/24/010.htm

 

七柱的追尋


　　『智慧建造房屋，鑿成七根柱子。』

　　箴言 第九章1節

　　『你要在外頭預備工料，在田間辦理整齊，然後建造房屋。』

　　箴言 第二十四章27節

　　智慧話與智慧屋

　　箴言第九章第一節：“智慧建造房屋，鑿成七根柱子”。這是箴言最重要的一句話。如果要用一句話、或一個鑰句把箴言包括起來，一定就是這句話了。那到底這個房屋是個什麽樣的房屋？七根柱子是什麽樣的七根柱子？從聖經中聖靈給我們看見兩個不同的角度，一麵在整本的聖經或整本箴言就是智慧的話。整本箴言不是零零碎碎的九百三十個句子，乃是聖靈把整個的箴言建造成一個房屋，而其中的七根柱乃是整個建築物的棟梁。所以這七根柱子是立體的，而且是很明顯的七根柱子。

　　另一麵，主說：“我要把我的教會建造在這磐石上。”這樣房屋乃是指著祂的教會。因此從兩個角度來看，一個乃是指箴言或整本聖經，另一個角度乃是建造祂的教會。柱子乃是代表基督的性格，在這裏特別提起七根柱子，就知道現在基督要建造教會在這磐石上，從磐石裏麵就鑿出七根柱子。所以這性格一定是基督的性格。當基督的性格被養成、被顯在教會時，這就是以弗所書所說的榮耀教會。

　　所羅門一生的兩大特點：智慧話和智慧屋“聖殿”，也反映在真所羅門的一生上，智慧話就是聖經，智慧屋就是教會。所羅門的智慧話和智慧屋之間的對比是傳道書，箴言，雅歌與外院，聖所與至聖所。因此箴言可以比成一個建築物，其中必有作棟梁的七根柱子將之支撐起來，自然是表現在書中幾段的主要關鍵經文上。總而言之，智慧屋若指箴言書，則其中必有一些主題經文代表智慧的七柱，智慧屋若指教會，則七柱乃是指建造教會過程中必須養成的性格。

　　支撐箴言書的七柱

　　現在我們來看支撐箴言書的七根柱子。有聖經學者從一章到七章找到七根柱子，每根柱子代表的是一段突顯一個主題的二十二節經文，今列舉如下：

　　第一柱（箴言第二章1至22節）

　　我兒，你若領受我的言語，存記我的命令，側耳聽智慧，專心求聰明。呼求明哲，揚聲求聰明，尋找它，如尋找銀子，搜求它，如搜求隱藏的珍寶，你就明白敬畏耶和華，得以認識神。因為耶和華賜人智慧。知識對聰明，都由祂口而出。祂給正直人存留真智慧，給行為純正的人作盾牌。為要保守公平人的路，護庇虔敬人的的道。你也必明白仁義、公平、正直，一切的善道。智慧必入你心。你的靈要以知識為美。謀略必護衛你，聰明必保守你，要救你脫離惡道，“惡道或作惡人的道”脫離說乖謬話的人。那等人舍棄正直的路，行走黑暗的道，歡喜作惡，喜愛惡“人”的乖謬。在他們的道中彎曲，在他們的路上偏僻。“智慧”要救你脫離淫婦，就是那油嘴滑舌的外女。她離棄幼年的配偶，忘了神的盟約。她的家陷入死地，她的路偏向陰間。凡到她那裏去的不得轉回，也得不著生命的路。“智慧”必使你行善人的道，守義人的路。正直人必在世上居住。完全人必在地上存留。惟有惡人必然剪除。奸詐的必然拔出。

　　第二柱（箴言第三章1至12節，25至34節）

　　我兒，不要忘記我的法則（或作指教），你心要謹守我的誡命。因為祂必將長久的日子，生命的年數與平安，加給你。不可使慈愛誠實離開你。要係在你頸項上，刻在你心版上。這樣。你必在神和世人眼前蒙恩寵，有聰明。你要專心仰賴耶和華，不可倚靠自己的聰明。在你一切所行的事上，都要認定祂，祂必指引你的路。不要自以為有智慧。要敬畏耶和華，遠離惡事。這便醫治你的肚臍，滋潤你的百骨。你要以財物和一切初熟的土產，尊榮耶和華。這樣，你的倉房，必充滿有餘，你的酒榨，有新酒盈溢。我兒，你不可輕看耶和華的管教（或作懲治），也不可懨煩祂的責備。因為耶和華所愛的，祂必責備。正如父親責備所喜愛的兒子。忽然來的驚恐，不要害怕。惡人遭毀滅，也不要恐驚。因為耶和華是你所倚靠的。祂必保守你的腳不陷入網羅。你手若有行善的力量，不可推辭,就當向那應得的人施行。你那裏若有現成的，不可對鄰舍說：『去吧！明天再來，我必給你。』你的鄰舍既在你附近安居，你不可設計害他。人未曾加害與你，不可無故與他相爭。不可嫉妒強暴的人，也不可選擇他所行的路。因為乖僻人為耶和華所憎惡，正直人為祂親密。耶和華咒詛惡人的家庭，賜福與義人的居所。祂譏誚那好譏誚的人，賜恩給謙卑的人。

　　第三柱（箴言第四章1至9節；第三章13至24節，35節）

　　眾子啊，要聽父親的教訓，留心得聰明。因我所給你們的是好教訓，不可離奇我的法則（或作指教）。我在父親麵前為孝子，在母親眼中為獨一的嬌兒。父親教訓我說：『你心要存記我的言語，遵守我的命令，便得存活。要得智慧，要得聰明，不可忘記，也不可偏離我口中的言語。不可離棄智慧，智慧就護衛你，要愛她，她就保守你。智慧為首，〔所以〕要得智慧，在你一切所得之內必得聰明（或作用你一切所得的去換聰明）。高舉智慧，她就使你高升；懷抱智慧，她就使你尊榮。祂必將華冠加在你頭上，把榮冕交給你。』得智慧、得聰明的，這人便為有福。因為得智慧勝過得銀子，其利益強如精金，比珍珠（或作紅寶石）寶貴。你一切所喜愛的，都不足與比較。她右手有長壽，左手有富貴。她的道是安樂，她的路全是平安。她與持守她的作生命樹。持定她的俱各有福。耶和華以智慧立地。以聰明定天，以知識使深淵裂開，使天空滴下甘露。我兒，要謹守真智慧和謀略。不可使她離開你的眼目。這樣，她必作你的生命，頸項的美飾。你就坦然行路，不至碰腳。你躺下，必不懼怕。你躺臥，睡得香甜。智慧人必承受尊榮，愚昧人高升也成為羞辱。

　　第四柱（箴言第四章10至27節：第五章第21至23節）

　　我兒，你要聽受我的言語，就必延年益壽。我已指教你走智慧的道，引導你行正直的路。你行走，腳步必不致狹窄。你奔跑，也不致跌倒。要持定訓誨，不可放鬆。必當謹守，因為她是你的生命。不可行惡人的路，不要走壞人的道。要躲避，不可經過，要轉身而去。這等人若不行惡，不得睡覺；不使人跌倒，睡臥不安。因為他們以奸惡吃餅，以強暴喝酒。但義人的路，好像黎明的光，越照越明，直至日午。惡人的道好像幽暗，自己不知因什麽跌倒。我兒，要留心聽我的言詞，側耳聽我的話語。都不可離你的眼目，要存記在你心中。因為得著它的，就得了生命，又得了醫全體的良藥。你要保守你心，勝過保守一切（或作『你要切切保守你心』）因為一生的果效，是由心發出。你要除掉邪僻的口，棄絕乖謬的嘴。你的眼目要向前正看，你的眼睛（原文作『皮』）當向前直觀。要修平你腳下的路，堅定你一切的道。不可偏向左右，要使你的腳離開邪惡。因為人所行的道都在耶和華眼前，祂也修平人一切的路。惡人必被自己的罪孽捉住，他必被自己的罪惡如繩索纏燒。他因不受訓誨，就必死亡。又因愚昧過甚，必走差了路。

　　第五柱（箴言第五章1至19節；第六章22節：第五章20節）

　　我兒，要留心我智慧的話語，側耳聽我聰明的言詞，為要使你謹守謀略，嘴唇保存知識。因為淫婦的嘴滴下蜂蜜，她的口比油更滑。至終卻苦似茵陳，快如兩刃的刀。她的腳下入死地，她腳步踏住陰間，以致她找不著生命平坦的道。她的路變遷不定，自己還不知道。眾子啊，現在要聽從我，不可離棄我口中的話。你所行的道要離她遠，不可就近她的房門。恐怕將你的尊榮給別人，將你的歲月給殘忍的人；恐怕外人滿得你的力量，你勞碌得來的，歸入外人的家。終久，你皮肉和身體消毀，你就悲歎，說：『我怎麽恨惡訓誨，心中藐視責備，也不聽從我師傅的話，又不側耳聽那教訓我的人。我在〔聖”會裏，幾乎落在諸般惡中。』你要喝自己池中的水，飲自己井裏的活水。你的泉源豈可漲溢在外？你的河水豈可流在街上？惟獨歸你一人，不可與外人同用。要使你的泉源蒙福，要喜悅你幼年所娶的妻。她如可愛的麀鹿，可喜的母鹿。願她的胸懷使你時時知足，她的愛情使你常常戀慕。你行走，它必引道你；你躺臥，它必保守你；你睡醒，它必與你談論。我兒，你為何戀慕淫婦?為何抱外女的胸懷？

　　第六柱（箴言第六章20至21節，23節：第六章24節至七章1至6節）

　　我兒，要謹守你父親的誡命，不可離棄你母親的法則（或作『指教』），要常係在你心上，掛在你項上。因為誡命是燈，法則（或作『指教』）是光，訓誨的責備是生命的道，能保你遠離惡婦，遠離外女諂媚的舌頭。你心中不要戀慕她的美色，也不要被她眼皮勻引。因為妓女〔能使人〕隻剩一塊餅，淫婦獵取人寶貴的生命。人若懷裏搋火，衣服豈能不燒呢？人若在火炭上走，腳豈能不燙呢？親近鄰舍之妻的，也是如此，凡挨近她的，不免受罰。賊因饑餓偷竊充饑，人不藐視他；若被找著，他必賠還七倍，必將家中所有的盡都償還。與婦人行淫的，便是無知，行這事的，必喪掉生命。他必受傷損，必被淩辱，他的羞恥不得塗抹。因為人的嫉恨，成了烈怒，報仇的時候，決不留情。什麽贖價，他都不顧，你雖送許多禮物，他也不肯幹休。我兒，你要遵守我的言語，將我的命令存記在心。遵守我的命令就得存活。保守我的法則（或作『指教』），好像保守眼中的瞳人。係在你指頭上，刻在你心版上。對智慧說，你是我的姐妹，稱呼聰明為你的親人。她就保你遠離淫婦，遠離說諂媚話的外女。我曾在我房屋的窗戶內，從我窗欞之間，往外觀看。

　　第七柱（箴言第七章7至27節）

　　見愚蒙人內，少年人中，分明有一個無知的少年人，從街上經過，走近淫婦的巷口，直往通她家的路去，在黃昏，或晚上，或半夜，或黑暗之中。看哪，有一個婦人來迎接他，是妓女的打扮，有詭詐的心思。這婦人喧嚷，不守約束，在家裏停不住腳，有時在街市上，有時在寬闊處，或在各巷口蹲伏。拉住那少年人，與他親嘴，臉無羞恥對他說：『平安祭在我這裏。今日才還了我所許的願。因此，我出來迎接你，懇切求見你的麵，恰巧遇見了你。我已經用繡花毯子和埃及線織的花紋布鋪了我的床。我又用沒藥，沉香，桂皮熏了我的榻。你來，我們可以飽享愛情，直到早晨，我們可以彼此親愛歡樂。因為我丈夫不在家，出門行遠路，他手拿銀囊，必到月望才回家。』淫婦用許多巧言誘他隨從，用諂媚的嘴逼他同行。少年人立刻跟隨她，好像牛往宰殺之地，又像愚昧人帶鎖鏈去受刑罰，直等箭穿他的肝，如同雀鳥急入網羅，卻不知是自喪己命。眾子啊，現在要聽從我，留心聽我口中的話。你的心不可偏向淫婦的道，不要入她的迷途。因為被她傷害仆倒的不少，被她殺戮的而且甚多。她的家是在陰間之路，下到死亡之宮。

　　限於篇幅，我們隻對第一根柱子作簡單的剖析。箴言第二章共有二十二節，這二十二節可以分為六段，就好像六段的詩歌一樣。第一段的詩歌是四節，第二段的詩歌是四節，第三段三節，第四、五段四節，第六段三節；剛好二十二節。第一節到第四節給我們看見“如果”，意思就是如果你這樣做的話。從第五節開始就是“結果”。

　　這六小段詩歌的第一段是“你若”。第二段“你就”，第三段開始“你也必明白”等等。在這裏的結構很特別的，表示當你這樣做“你就明白”等，第二段“你也必明白”等，第二、三段是兩個重要的思想，第四段有四節開始是“要救你脫離”等，第五段是十六節開始“要救你脫離”等。最後就是第六段二十節到二十二節。

　　四則勸言

　　我們且說第一段是“序”，最後一段是“跋”。中簡有四段，這四段怎麽開始呢？第二段是“你就明白”，第三段是“你也要明白”，第四段“要救你脫離”。第五段“要救你脫離”。這裏一共有四個思想，第一個思想就是你要明白，你如果領受我的言語，如果存記我的命令，如果側耳聽智慧，如果專心求聰明，如果呼求明哲，如果揚聲求聰明，如果尋找它，如尋找銀子，搜求它，如搜求隱藏的珍寶，然後你就明白，你也必明白，要救你脫離，要救你脫離，一共是四則勸言。

　　讀聖經就要用神的話來解釋神的話，用自己的話是沒有用的。聖靈很清楚給我們看見第二章總共隻有四個思想，給我們看見當我們追求智慧就會有四個結果。第一，你能明白：第二，你也必明白；第三，要救你脫離；第四，要救你脫離。前麵兩個是積極的，後麵兩個是消極的。這裏有四個思想，第一個思想就是“你就明白敬畏耶和華得以認識神。”所以智慧第一個目的，就是讓我們能明白過來。這不是朱子家訓的智慧，如果我們真的得著智慧，追求智慧，我們就明白敬畏耶和華得以認識神，因為耶和華賜人智慧知識和聰明。因為敬畏神乃是知識的開端，也是智慧的開端。當我們還不懂無知，什麽也看不見，在黑暗的時候，智慧第一個叫我們眼睛明亮了，叫我們認識神。因為耶和華賜人智慧，智慧是從神來的，而且知識和聰明都由祂口而出。所以如果要追求智慧，第一件事就是要和神發生關係，這是智慧的源頭，是智慧的根基。

　　要明白

　　在整本箴言裏，“敬畏耶和華”一共提了十四次。約伯記二十八章28節說：“祂對人說，敬畏主就是智慧，遠離惡便是聰明。”敬畏耶和華等於智慧，智慧就是敬畏耶和華。所以在整個箴言裏講到的就是“敬畏耶和華是智慧和知識的開端”，“是生命的泉源”，“是大有依靠”，“必存心謙卑”，“必遠離罪惡”，“有知足平安”，“沒有嫉妒不平”，“人的日子就要加多”等等。這是第一點我們要明白的。

　　聖靈在箴言總共給我們四個大思想。第一個思想給我們看見，智慧與神是完全連在一起的。如果我們追求智慧，尋求他，就要明白敬畏耶和華得以認識神。所以智慧做的第一件事，就是叫我們得以認識神，並且所有知識和聰明都是從祂的話而來的。即使我們書讀少一點，教育少了一點，隻要讀神的話，我們的智慧一點都不會少，天天仰望祂的話，祂給正直人存留真智慧。這裏不是說其它的智慧是假的，這裏所謂的真智慧乃是指智慧的本源來說，所有其它的智慧不過是影子，隻是說明這個真的智慧，因為真的智慧就是基督自己。所以祂為正直的人存留真智慧，給行為純正的人做盾牌，為要如保守公平的路，護庇虔敬人的道。所以智慧的源頭乃是“敬畏耶和華得以認識神”，今天我們能敬畏祂，認識祂，我們就能得著智慧，這是一切智慧的開端及根基，這是第一個思想。

　　第二個思想是，智慧的一切。第九節：“你也必明白仁義、公平、正直、一切的善道。”一章3節：“使人處事，領受智慧、仁義、公平、正直的訓誨。”如果仔細讀原文，則是指仁義、公平、正直這三樣東西。所以很容易明白智慧的一條路，智慧不光是客觀的東西，而是主觀的。以新約的角度來說，今天基督已住在我們裏麵，聖靈已進入我們裏麵。所以智慧已經進到我們的心裏麵，你的靈要以知識為美。所以我們不隻可以認識智慧，而我們也可以主觀地經曆智慧。所以從客觀來講，它代表真理，而從主觀來講，就變成我們的經曆。所以第二點，智慧是不外麵的，智慧是裏麵的。智慧要進入你的心，你的靈要以智慧為美，謀略必護衛你，聰明必保守你，所有的智慧就變成我們的智慧，我們就變成智慧之子了。

　　「要脫離」

　　前兩個思想是積極的，後兩個是消極的，要救你脫離惡道，脫離說乖謬話的人。所以很明顯看到脫離惡道和惡人。在聖經裏惡人是指著愚昧之子說的，是指著我們肉體來說的。我們是犯了罪的，所以我們的肉體就是惡人，那個人舍棄正直的路，行走黑暗的道，歡喜作惡，喜愛惡人的乖僻，在他的道中彎曲，在他的路總偏僻。

　　第十六節：“智慧要救你脫離淫婦，就是油嘴滑舌的女人。”這裏的淫婦和外孫女在希伯來原文是說“陌生的女子”、“婦人”。這陌生的婦人是誰？就是指第九章那人格化的愚昧來說的。

　　所以這裏一共有四點，第一點智慧是客觀的，基督就是那個智慧。第二點是智慧進入我們的心裏麵，我們就變成智慧之子。第四點就是客觀的愚昧，就是我們所說的陌生女子、陌生的婦人，那陌生的婦人就是愚昧的婦人，如果我們能脫離愚昧的婦人，就脫離亞當的一切，這是第四個。第三個就是指著愚昧之子，這裏就是指著黑暗的道來說，所以智慧和愚昧是相對的，智慧人格是指基督說的，愚昧人格化是指著亞當說的。但在經曆裏，等帶智慧進入我們心裏麵，就是在聖靈裏，就是智慧之子。什麽時候愚昧進到我們的心裏，我們就行走在惡道上，就變成惡人，也就是愚昧之子。所以兩個是客觀，兩個是主觀的，兩個是地位，兩個是我們的經曆。

　　綜合來看第一根柱子是綜論，給我們看見上述的四個思想：第二根講帶智慧的源頭，第三根講到智慧怎樣進入我們的心，那是主觀的；第四根給我們看見惡人、惡道、愚昧之人；第五、六、七根都是講到外麵的愚昧，因為自從人類墮落以後，今天我們所有的光景都是亞當造成的，因罪從一人進了世界，使今天全世界都落在愚昧裏麵。不要忘了那個人格化的婦女，那個陌生的女子，就是亞當的代表。全本箴言是否皆受這四個思想在支配？這就當作習題留給讀者。

　　箴言書的分段

　　箴言大概可分成五大段，一個是從第一章到九章，一共二百三十五行。從第十章開始一直到二十二章16節，這一段是大家公認的所羅門的箴言，一共有三百七十五行。三百七十五不是一個偶然的數目，我們若把“所羅門的箴言”這句話用希伯來的原文字母所代表的數值加超來，剛好是三百七十五。一點也不多，一點也不少。

　　從二十二章17節到二十四章34節，這一段稱它為智慧人的言語，智慧人是指一般的智慧人，就是17節所說的：“你須側耳聽智慧人的言語，留心領會我的知識”的智慧人。

　　從二十五章開始，也是所羅門的箴言，是猶大王希西家的人所謄錄的。我們稱希西家的箴言其實也是所羅門的箴言，隻不過是希西家所謄錄的。從二十五章到二十九章這又是另外一段，這一段一共是一百三十九行，剩下的三十章及三十一章是亞古珥的箴言，利慕伊勒母誡子之箴言，這兩段是很特別的，這一段加起來一共八十六行，所以箴言全部加起來九百三十二行。箴言第一句“以色列王大衛的兒子所羅門的箴言”，這裏有三個名字，一個是以色列，一個是大衛，一個是所羅門，“所羅門”的數值是三百七十四，“大衛”的數值是十四，“以色列”的數值是五百四十一，把它加起來一共是九百三十，跟剛才的九百三十二是很靠近的。這叫我們很容易記得，箴言這首詩總共九百三十二行。

　　箴言中的對比

　　第十章到第二十二章16節，這一段是三百七十五行，即我們普通所說的所羅門的箴言，它的特點到底是什麽？我們若從十章一直看到第十五章，會發現這一段都是對比的，從十章第一節開始就是對比了：“智慧之子，使父親歡樂；愚昧之子，叫母親擔憂。”“不義之財，毫無益處，唯有公義，能救人脫離死亡。”“耶和華不使義人受饑餓，惡人所欲的祂必推開。”“手懶的，要受貧窮，手勤的，卻要富足。”這些都是對比。

　　嚴格說來，從十章到第十五章末了都是對比，不過有一些例外。從十四章26節那地方開始就沒有對比了。在十四章26節做了個分別，十四章26節以前，有一百四十一節而隻有九節沒有對比。從二十六節到十五章末了，沒有對比的比較多，這裏大概有四十三節，裏麵有十一節是沒有對比的，但大體上來講還是有些對比。這是大概的結構。

　　個人對話

　　從二十二章七節開始，一直到二十四章的末了，這一段的特點就是講話的人都是用“我”這個字。17節：“你須側耳聽受智慧人的言語，留心領會我的知識。”“你若心中存記，嘴上咬定……，我今日以此特特指教你，為要使你倚靠耶和華。”這裏的對話是一對一的對話，講話的人是單數的。他說“我”，而且受話也是單數的“你”，不是“你們”也不是“我們”。

　　這一段是非常特別的，就是聖靈說話是非常個人的。許多時候聖靈對我們說話，是對我們整體來說的，但更多的時候是單獨的對“我”來說的，是一對一、麵對麵，聖靈親自對我們說話。有時候我們讀聖經，你看見那個“你”是一般的，但這裏是非常非常個人的。

　　這裏的勸勉從二十二章7節一直到二十四章的末了。二十五章到二十七章可分成兩段，二十五章到二十六章是一段，二十七章和二十八章又是一段，二十五章和二十七章這一段大都沒有對比。二十八章和二十九章又開始對比，若把希西家名字的數值加起來，剛好是一百三十。這一 段也剛好是一百三十行。

　　教會七柱的追尋

　　現在我們來到智慧屋的教會麵：從箴言第十章開始，一直讀到二十四章，若按內容分析它剛好又是一個段落。我們怎麽知道它是一個段落呢？我們讀聖經一定要很小心。比方說，我們已經說過傳道書從第一章第一節至十二章第八節是一個段落；為什麽呢？因為這一段是講虛空，從“凡事都是虛空”開始，也是以“凡事都是虛空”結束，這是很自然的分段。同樣的，人怎麽知道箴言第一章至第八章是一段呢？因為箴言第一章第七節說：“敬畏耶和華是知識的開端。”到了第九章十節說：“敬畏耶和華是智慧的開端。”所以一麵是知識的開端，一麵是智慧的開端。從第九章，很明顯智慧繼續工作，一直工作到三十一章。還有個原因讓我們知道前麵八章是一個段落，因為第一章講到智慧的呐喊，第八章也講到智慧的呐喊，所以剛好是一個段落。根據以上兩點，就能很確定箴言第一章至第八章是一段落，因為聖經的分段不是人為的，乃是自然的分段。

　　那麽我們怎麽知道第九章至二十四章是一小段呢？因為箴言第九章1節：“智慧建造房屋，鑿成七根柱子。”然後第二十四章27節：“你要在外頭預備工料，在田間辦理整齊，然後建造房屋。”現在很清楚，智慧建造房屋，要鑿成七根柱子，需要預備材料才可以。這材料是在外頭預備工料，在田間辦理整齊，所以真正建殿的材料乃是在外頭，在田間辦理整齊，然後建造房屋。那麽我們的主是怎麽預備材料呢？到底七根的柱子是怎麽樣的柱子呢？從箴言第九章至二十四章就可以從中找到答案了。我們就會知道到底是哪七根柱子。

　　箴言第二十五章以後又是另外一段。大家如果仔細地去讀第十章至二十一章，就會發現在這段聖經裏，聖靈所用的結構和別處都不一樣。比方說箴言第十章1節：“智慧之子，使父親歡樂；愚昧之子，叫母親擔憂。”這好像是一幅對聯。前麵講“智慧”，後麵講“愚昧”；前麵說“父親”，後麵說“母親”；前麵說“歡樂”，後麵說“擔憂”。你如果仔細地從第十章一直讀到二十一章都是這種對聯式的情形。在同一節裏常常是相對的。這就是希伯來詩的特點。

　　詩是需要押韻的，中國的許也是有押韻的，比如“床前明月光，疑是地上霜，舉頭望明月，低頭思故鄉。”這裏的押韻，是文字上的押韻，這些詩隻有中國人會欣賞它，美國人就不懂了。但是希伯來詩就不同，連不懂得希伯來詩的人也能欣賞，因為希伯來詩不是文字上的押韻，乃是思想上的押韻。比方說：“天述說神的榮耀，穹蒼傳揚祂的手段。”（詩篇第十九篇1節)這裏的“諸天”和“穹蒼”相對；“述說”和“傳揚”相對；“榮耀”和“手段”相對。這就是希伯來的詩了。“諸天”和“穹蒼”是思想上的相同。但是箴言第十章l節：“智慧之子，使父親歡樂；愚昧之子，叫母親擔憂。”也是相對，不過是反義的相對。“智慧”對“愚昧”：“父親”對“母親”。箴言從第十章一直到二十一章全部都是這種的題材。

　　這種題材有它特別的好初。因為你懂得它是對聯的題材就可以解釋了。比方說，你不懂的“穹蒼”是什麽意思，但是“諸天”是解釋穹蒼的。“述說”是解釋“傳揚”的。“榮耀”是解釋“手段”的。根據著種對應或同義的題材就可以馬上解釋了。比方說“愚昧”是什麽東西，不回解釋，但是這裏給你很清楚的看見一個人沒有智慧就是愚昧。所以“智慧之子”和“愚昧之子”是對比的；“父親”和“母親”是對比的。什麽叫做擔憂，擔憂就是不歡喜。什麽叫做歡樂？歡樂就是不擔憂。這兩個是彼此解釋的。

　　比方說：“天國”的定義是什麽？“天國”的定義很簡單，要讓主的話來解釋主自己的話。當我們的主教導我們主禱文的時候：“我們在天上的父，願人都尊禰的名為聖，願禰的國降臨，願禰的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上。”（馬太福音第六章9至10節）原來我們的主說這句話的結構是詩的結構。因為是詩的結構，所以就明白了，願禰的旨意行在地上如同在天上，什麽叫做天國呢？我們知道在天上神的旨意是通行無阻的，但是在地上就不能通行，願禰的國降臨，“降臨”的意思就是叫禰的旨意在天上怎樣通行無阻，在地上也一樣的通行無阻。什麽叫做天國呢？天國就是在地上“天”能夠掌權。不隻天堂是天堂，現在人間也是天堂。因為在這裏天能夠掌權，這就是天國。

　　神的話常常是用上下問來解釋的，這是最基本以經解經的原則。比方智慧七柱的答案就在從第十章一直到二十一章的這一段經文裏，在其中聖靈用對比或對應的筆法來做諸般的解釋。

　　由於柱子有“穩定”的意思，在尋找七柱的時候一定要兼顧這一點。舉一個例子來說明：如果一個人是偶爾謙卑的話，你不會說他是個謙卑的人。如果他在任何的境遇下都是謙卑的，你就要承認這個人是謙卑的人。這一段經文中常提到“義人”，所謂“義人”並不是偶爾行義，乃是在任何一個時候都是行義的，所以在他身上有個性格叫做公義。再讀下去就會發現有正直的人，有懶惰的人。這懶惰的人不是偶爾偷懶，而是懶惰成性，整天懶懶散散的。所以這一段經文所講的都是性格。我們就要去找，像“義人”就是其中的一根柱子。“正直”也是其中的一柱。“殷勤”也是。如果不懂得什麽叫做殷勤？跟懶惰一比就清楚了。這樣從第十章讀到二十一章就可以找出七根柱子，因為在這二十一章裏聖靈的結構不是對比，就是對應；不是同義，就是反義，這就可以彼此解釋了，也很自然地從中找到七根柱子。到底是哪七根柱子？比如說“正直”一詞，就可以藉聖經匯編或電腦的幫助把所有有關“正直”的詞都找出來，你就知道從第十章至二十一章翻來覆去，翻來覆去，所以它的小標題是“善惡互論垂為箴言”。善惡互論就表示是反義的。這就是從第十章至二十一章的筆法和題材。它根本是反義來形容的。一會兒是“義人”一會兒是“惡人”；一會兒是“正直”， 一會是“彎曲”，隻有這樣才可以彼此解釋。你就知道在這裏所講的正直是什麽意思。原來“正直”是和清潔，聖潔連在一起的。怎麽知道正直和清潔是建立一起，隻要把所有的“正直”都讀過就會明白了。

　　智慧的七柱

　　若仔細讀箴言第十章至二十一章，根據對比或對應律，讀者會在離開“智慧鑿成七柱”這句話不遠的地方找到了智慧的七柱，答案是：第一、是公義；第二、是殷勤；第三、是正直；第四、是仁慈；第五、是節製；第六、是誠實；第七、是謙卑。這個次序是根據第十章七柱出現的次序，在第十章裏可以找到了六根柱子。第七根柱子是在第十一章二節。然後再讀下去就是翻來覆去，翻來覆去善惡互論這也很好，千萬不要以為一點意思也沒有，它就藉著善惡互論來解釋什麽是公義；什麽是殷勤，等等。

　　比方說，第十章1節：“智慧之子，使父親歡樂；愚昧之子，叫母親擔憂。”這裏“智慧”和“愚昧”相對，但是是比較籠統的。然後第2節：“不義之財，毫無益處。惟有公義，能救人脫離死亡。”這裏的“不義”和“公義”又是相對的。所以第一根柱子就是公義；然後第三節：“耶和華不使義人受饑餓。惡人所欲的祂必推開。”“義人”和“惡人”又是相對而言的。“手懶的，要受貧窮，手勤的，卻要富足。”（箴言第十章4節）所以第二根柱子是殷勤。“夏天聚斂的，是智慧之子，收割時沉睡的，是貽羞之子。”（箴言第十章5節)這裏，說懶惰的人，是貽羞之子；殷勤的人是智慧之子，這很明顯的是在智慧之子大的保衛傘底下。第六節：“福祉臨到義人的頭，強暴蒙蔽惡人的口。”為什麽聖經這樣翻來覆去，其目的就是要告訴我們是哪七根柱子。

　　“義人的記念被稱讚，惡人的名字必朽爛。心中智慧的必受命令。口裏愚妄的，必致傾倒。”（箴言第十章7至8節)這是一般性的，因為講到智慧和愚昧。“行正直路的，步步安穩，走彎曲道的，必致敗露。”（箴言第十章9節)“正直”這根柱子是和彎曲相對的，目前為止“正直”還沒有和清潔連在一起，再讀下去就會很清楚。“以眼傳神的，使人憂患。口裏愚妄的，必致傾倒。”(箴言第十章10至11節）義人的口是生命的泉源，強暴蒙蔽惡人的口。這裏 “義人”和“強暴”又是相對而言的。“恨，能挑啟爭端，愛，能遮掩一切過錯。”這裏又找到一根很重要的柱子“愛”，就是“仁慈”。

　　箴言第十章13節：“明哲人嘴裏有智慧。無知人背上受刑杖。”“智慧人積存知識，愚妄人的口速致敗壞。富戶的財物是他的堅城。窮人的貧乏是他的敗壞。”（箴言第十章14至15節）這也是一般性的。然後箴言第十章16至18節：“義人的勤勞致生，惡人的進項致死。謹守訓誨的，乃在生命的道上。違棄責備的，便失迷了路。隱藏怨恨的，有說謊的嘴。口出讒謗的，是愚妄的人。”很明顯這裏講到誠實。“多言多難免有過，禁止嘴唇是有智慧。”（箴言第十章19節）這裏講到節製。

　　“義人的舌、乃〔似〕高銀；惡人的心所值無幾。義人的口教養多人，愚昧人因無知而死亡。耶和華所賜的福，使人富足，並不加上憂慮。愚妄人以行惡為戲耍，明哲人卻以智慧為樂。惡人所怕的必臨到他，義人所願的必蒙應允。暴風一過，惡人歸於無有，義人的根基卻是永久。懶惰人叫差他的人如醋倒牙，如煙薰目。”（箴言第十章20至26節）非常生動的。箴言第十章27至29節：“敬畏耶和華使人日子加多，但惡人的年歲必被減少。義人的盼望必得喜樂；惡人的指望必至滅沒。耶和華的道是正直人的保障，卻成了作孽人的敗壞。”正直和作孽是相對的。然後“義人永不挪移，惡人不得住在地上。義人的口滋生智慧，乖謬的舌必被割斷。”（箴言第十章30至31節）這裏講義人，公義成了這人的性格，成了這人的特點。這是非常重要的。這並不代表這人就是完全人，他會犯罪，他會失敗，所以義人並不是完全人，但是他平常給人的印象是個公義的人。這就是性格。

　　“義人的嘴能令人喜悅，惡人的口〔說〕乖謬的話。”（箴言第十章32節）然後箴言第十一章1節：“詭詐的天平為耶和華所憎惡，公平的法碼為祂所喜悅 。”一個誠實的人是個公平的人。前麵詭詐的天平為耶和華所厭惡。“驕傲來，羞恥也來，謙遜人卻有智慧。”（箴言第十一章2節）這就是謙卑人。所以讀到這裏，七根柱子都包括在裏麵。你確定就是這七根柱子嗎？接著就是翻來覆去，看你有沒有耐性，你要一直讀到二十一章。希望大家做個筆記，一麵讀，一麵把它歸類，這樣就能很清楚地找到七跟柱子，是用詩歌的題材給我們看見它是交互解釋的。這就是從第十章一直到二十一章。
 

　

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神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們，叫一切信他的，不至滅亡，反得永生!

 

 

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7 Pillars of Wisdom

 

 

The List

The seven pillars of wisdom are...

1

Prudence
2

Knowledge and discretion
3

Fear of God
4

Counsel
5

Sound Wisdom
6

Understanding
7

Power

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detailed commentary on the List

Introduction                                     Return to Bible Lists main menu

You may have heard of the seven pillars of wisdom. They are seven ways we can become wiser in the way we deal with things in our lives.

What is the origin of the seven pillars of wisdom? The origin is in the Bible at Proverbs chapter 9, verse 1.  

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars.

Here we see a woman called wisdom building a house and for that house she has cut out seven stone pillars. Pillars ofcourse have been used from the earliest times to support the roofs of large rooms and they had through time been made of wood, stone or mud-brick. A lot of architects back then had a particular favourite design when designing a more expensive house and that was to build the house around a courtyard. The structure would be supported by three pillars on each side of the courtyard and one in the centre on the third side facing the open space which was the entrance. So perhaps the woman called wisdom had built her house with the pillars laid out like that.

Now if we were able to go back in time to when this proverb was written and ask if we could talk to this woman called Wisdom, I think we would discover that we are going to have a bit of hard time finding her. The reason we won’t find her is because she doesn’t exist. What is happening in this proverb is that the characteristic of wisdom has been personified. Wisdom has been symbolised as a woman who has built a permanent house for herself.

We should note that this is not a tent she has built which can be moved at a couple of days notice, this is a permanent solid house with seven pillars in place to support it’s stone roof. In other words, this is telling us of the importance and the permanency of wisdom. Wisdom is permanent and must be housed for the long term.

But we will also note that there are seven pillars. In the Hebrew, seven is Shevah. Which comes from the root word savah, which means to be full or satisfied. And because it means full and satisfied, it is, therefore, the number of spiritual perfection, and you can clearly see that is the case in various places in the Bible.

So, in summary, what we have is wisdom having a permanent place to live, where the house will be supported by the perfect number of pillars.

If we look at verse one of chapter nine it tells us that the seven pillars had already been hewn or cut from the rock. So we must go back in time to see where they came from, we must find out what their source is. We can find the answer in the previous chapter. In chapter 8 Wisdom is again personified but this time as a lodger staying in a house. It tells us in verses 12 to 14 that wisdom dwells with or has seven attributes.

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.

Let’s now look at each pillar of wisdom:

1   Prudence

From these verses we can see that the first pillar of wisdom is prudence. In these verses, wisdom is being portrayed as a lodger who lives in the same house as a woman called Prudence. The meaning here for us is that men and women who are wise are prudent also - wiseness and prudence dwell together. They are wise in handling practical matters and they exercise good judgment or common sense.

And probably the best way that they can show good judgment is in their own behaviour.  For when they think about their own behaviour they have the ability to judge in advance the probable results of their own actions. They know what will happen if they behave in a particular way. For example, they know that if they do a particular thing it may lead to others sinning. So as a result they will show restraint.

So people with prudence have self-restraint and sound judgment as part of their character.

The true wise and prudent are those described in Hosea chapter 14 and verse nine.

Who is wise? He will realise these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

So those who know the righteousness of God will be called truly wise and prudent. Prudence means shrewdness and sound judgment. It is the ability to keep oneself from being misled.

An example of this are the disciples of Christ. The disciples were instructed by Christ to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” and this gives us the idea of the meaning of prudence.

To explain further what it means to be as wise as serpents, it says elsewhere in Proverbs, we cannot afford to be naive. As we go through life we gain knowledge and we do this so that we can avoid the pitfalls in the path of life. And this is main reason why we need prudence, so that we can discriminate between truth and error. We need to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We cannot afford to be naive.

So prudence is the first pillar of wisdom.

2   Knowledge and discretion

Let us return to Proverbs chapter 8 to see what the second pillar is. We can see the second pillar in the second part of verse 12.

I, wisdom dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

So, wisdom finds knowledge and discretion. Now the Hebrew word for discretion is mezimmah (mez-im-maw). This word mezimmah means the power of forming plans. In other words, it is using wiseness to devise, imagine, plot or think up something. Sometimes this word is used to talk about people with evil purposes. That is men who use their wiseness to plot or devise a wicked plan. And we call this wicked type of plotting, “machination”. But this same Hebrew word of mezimmah (mez-im-maw) can also be used to talking about someone planning something good. When someone plans something good we use the word “sagacious”. Sagacious means possessing or showing sound judgment and keen perception. Someone who can reason and plan the best direction to head in.

Throughout the book of Proverbs it shows that the godly man is a man who takes an interest in all those things going on about him, he takes the trouble to know his way about, he plans his course of actions realistically. Put simply it is someone who looks ahead and then plans his action. As an example of this have a look at Proverbs chapter 22 and verse 3.

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

What this verse is telling us is that there is a great deal of difference between faith and blind optimism. In fact, those with blind optimism are seen as fools. God does not want us to put ourselves in dangerous situations and then expect Him to rescue us. An example of this might be driving our cars at high speeds well over the speed limit. That is exactly what this proverb is about. Part of wisdom involves knowing how to avoid danger.

This is further confirmed in Proverbs chapter 14 and verses 15 and 16.  

A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.

Again a similar message. A wise man plans for the future and knows how to avoid danger and evil. And there are many examples of men being sagacious or showing wiseness in their planning for the future.

  • Noah, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his family.

  • David was directed by wisdom to hide himself from Saul.

  • The disciples were taught to flee from the impending evil of the Roman army (Matt.10:23, 24:15-18)

  • Paul repeatedly hid himself from threatened destruction (Acts 9:23-25, 17:14, 23:17).

  • Even Jesus himself acted on this rule (Luke 4:29,30).

So the second pillar of wiseness is having knowledge of Sagacious things. Knowing what is going on about you so that you can wisely plan for the future and avoid any potential dangers or evils.

3   Fear of God

Returning to Proverbs chapter 8 and verse 13 we can see the third pillar of wiseness.

To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

True wisdom is firmly grounded in a fear of God and is free of the faults of worldly wisdom. Proverbs chapter 1 and verse 7 says this:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

What does fear mean ? It means reverence - but it means more than that. The apostle Paul said in Hebrews that “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”. It means a right attitude to God and the practical expression of this attitude in a person’s day to day life. We must be committed to God’s purpose. This means serving, worshipping, obeying and loving him.

It also means turning from evil and hating evil. And that last point is made very clear in the verse we read before in Proverbs chapter 8 where it says “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil”. And it says elsewhere in the scriptures that as a reward to those who fear God, that:

no good thing will the Lord withhold from them that fear him (Psalm 84:11)

So this is the third pillar of wisdom, to fear the Lord.

4   Counsel

Returning to Proverbs chapter 8 and verse 14 we can see the fourth pillar of wisdom.

Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.

So counsel is the fourth pillar. Counsel means to give good advice, to give wise guidance. It also means to listen to counsel. To depend on one’s own judgment, even in private matters, is the height of foolishness. Even the wisest and godliest have made errors in discerning things. We must seek counsel instead. And we can do this by weighing up a matter in the presence of God through prayer and also through inviting counsel from other experienced believers.

David and Solomon were both specially endowed with wisdom. Yet despite having their own wisdom they still seeked the advice of wise counselors when it came to governing the kingdom. In David’s case, Ahithophel and Hushai were his counselors. For Solomon, 1 Kings chapter 12 speaks of the “old men that stood before Solomon”.

So we should have no fear going to others for advice and counsel. Ofcourse the Bible is also for guidance and edification. Recorded in these scriptures there is an abundance of counselors who testify as to how a man or woman should walk before his or her God.

Perhaps the best advice on counsel is found in Proverbs chapter 19 and verses 20

Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

Another version of the Bible puts it perhaps a bit more clearly when it say::

Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days”.

Counseling, then is a another pillar of wisdom, and involves giving good advice to others. But it is also wise to listen to counsel and learn, so that you also may be wise.

5   Sound Wisdom

The fifth pillar of wisdom is found in verse 14 of Proverbs chapter 8 which we read before and it is sound wisdom.

Sound wisdom goes back to the Hebrew word of tushiyah (too-shee-yaw) which means in a general sense, wise behaviour. In other words, it is talking about practical wisdom. How we put wisdom into use in our day to day behaviour. It is very practical.

Consider Proverbs chapter 1 and verse 3. We’ll read from verse 1 for context.

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;

An alternate version of this verse 3 it says:

To receive instruction in wise behaviour, righteousness, justice and equity.

So this type of wisdom is talking about the way we use wisdom in our day to day behaviour.

Some people may ask how can we be wise in our day to day behaviour? What must we do to be wise in our daily behaviour? Well, wise behaviour is more clearly defined in the words which are contained in the last part of verse 3:  “Righteousness, justice and equity”. These are the ways that we can be wise in our daily behaviour. These are the great prophetic themes. The emphasis here is on action rather than on casual armchair religion:

  • Righteousness means in the Hebrew to be right or straight. It is to act or live in an upright manner.

  • Justice is the ability to come to a proper understanding of things through observation.

  • Equity means a way of thought and conduct that is honest. It means fairness and impartiality.

So sound wisdom means behaving each day with these three great themes being the basis of your behaviour. It goes hand in hand with the fourth pillar of wisdom, counsel. For people will only seek counsel where they know they can find sound wisdom. In other words, if a man or woman shows righteousness, justice and equity in their life, then others will come to them in confidence to seek wise counsel.

6   Understanding

The sixth pillar of wisdom listed in Proverbs chapter 8 and verse 14 is understanding. To understand we must do three things:

a.   To understand we need to firstly know the source of all wisdom. We must understand that all wisdom comes from only one source and that ofcourse is our Heavenly Father.

b.   To understand we must secondly receive instruction from that source we call the Bible. It requires not casual detached study but disciplined study and learning. Knowledge and learning are the keys to being wise in the truth.

c.   And lastly, to understand, we must discern wisely. Like Solomon we need to be able to discern between good and evil.

This is the sixth great pillar of wisdom, understanding.

7   Power

The last pillar listed in chapter 8 and verse 14 of Proverbs is Strength or Power. There is no point in understanding a problem, if there is no power to implement the solution.  

You may be reading this article and thinking that through hard work and diligence that it is possible to attain the first six pillars of wisdom as you progress through life. And indeed some of us may already have attained those pillars. But what about attaining the seventh pillar of power and strength? If you don’t think you have the power to implement solutions that you have thought through then the answer to attaining strength can be found in Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes chapter 7 and verse 19 says this:

Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city.

The solution is simple the seventh pillar of strength comes from attaining the previous six pillars. If you have attained the first six pillars then the seventh pillar of strength comes naturally to you.

The man with godly wisdom is truly strong and fortified. Put in another way, if a man or woman has attained prudence,knowledge of sagacious things, fears God, gives and receives counsel, has sound wisdom in his or her behaviour, and has attained understanding then that person truly has power and strength. He or she is truly fortified against the evils of this world and is a true servant of God.

Conclusion

Jesus Christ had become strong through attaining those pillars of wisdom.

And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40)

Jesus attained his strength through being filled with wisdom. And this same wisdom is available to us, for as James says, God gives wisdom generously to all who ask. If we truly aspire to be like the man Jesus Christ then we must live in that house built by wisdom, dwelling amongst the seven pillars that she has hewn out.

Isaiah chapter 11 and verses 1 to 5 tells of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and how the great pillars of wisdom will rest on him.

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD - and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.  

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

http://www.bridgetothebible.com/Bible%20Lists/7%20Pillars%20of%20Wisdom.htm  

All three have been circulated worldwide.

 



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