חָכָם (H2450) — Hebrew Lexicon

חָכָם

𐤇𐤊𐤌

châkâm

H2450 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root חכם to be wise, to act wisely, to be skillful

Definition

Possessing wisdom, skill, or discernment; describes a person marked by practical knowledge, insight, prudence, or expertise. Used for those knowledgeable in ethical living, technically proficient artisans, and political or administrative advisors. In some contexts, emphasizes moral and experiential wisdom rather than merely theoretical knowledge.

Semantic Range

wise, skillful, expert, competent, shrewd, prudent, ethically discerning, sagacious, learned, technical artisan, experienced counselor, clever

Root / Etymology

From the root חכם, which at its core means 'to be wise' or 'to act with wisdom.' The adjective חָכָם is derived directly from this root, indicating 'one who is wise' or 'wise person.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, חָכָם is employed broadly, from the 'wise of heart' artisans endowed with skill for constructing the tabernacle (Exodus) to political advisors (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) and those considered skilled in living rightly or with ethical discernment. The term is notably used in wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) to refer to those living with moral and practical discernment, as opposed to the 'fool' (כְּסִיל or אֱוִיל). The term can apply to technical or artisanal skill (as in Bezalel, Exodus 31:6), discernment in governance, or sagacity in interpersonal dealings. In exilic and post-exilic periods, חָכָם comes to stand for sages or learned teachers. English translations sometimes narrow the meaning to 'wise,' but in context the word may signify specialized skill (e.g., craftsman, counselor) or administrative competence. It should be distinguished from mere accumulation of knowledge; the biblical חָכָם is one who acts rightly based on understanding. The rendering 'cunning' or 'subtle' in some translations reflects particular contexts where shrewdness and practical acumen are emphasized. The term is not restricted to Israelite usage—non-Israelites are also described as חָכָם when skilled or insightful (e.g., Egyptian sages in Exodus 7:11).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָכַם; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful); cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man).

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Root Family

חכם (ḥ-k-m) — to be wise, to act wisely, to be skillful

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H2445	חַכִּים	the wise ones
H2449	חָכַם	wise man of
H2451	חׇכְמָה	in wisdom
H2452	חׇכְמָה	the wisdom
H2453	חַכְמוֹנִי	Hachmonite clansman
H2454	חׇכְמוֹת	wisdoms of
H8461	תַּחְכְּמֹנִי	the Wise-one

Word Forms

24 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`H2450-01`	חֲכַם	chakham	`HAamsc`	wise	wise one of	57
`H2450-07`	חֲכָמִ֧ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	of the wise	wise men	32
`H2450-13`	הֶֽ/חָכָם֙	hechakham	`HTd/Aamsa`	the wise	the wise man	6
`H2450-17`	לְ֝/חָכָ֗ם	lechakham	`HR/Aamsa`	a wise man	to a wise man	6
`H2450-09`	חַכְמֵי	chakhemey	`HAampc`	wise	wise ones of	4
`H2450-16`	לַֽ/חֲכָמִ֖ים	lachakhamim	`HRd/Aampa`	to the wise	to the wise ones	4
`H2450-22`	וְ/חָכָ֑ם	vechakham	`HC/Aamsa`	and wise	and a wise one	4
`H2450-06`	חֲכָמֶ֔י/ךָ	chakhameykha	`HAampc/Sp2ms`	your wise men	your wise ones	2
`H2450-02`	חֲכָמָ֑ה	chakhamah	`HAafsa`	wise	wise woman	2
`H2450-11`	הַ֣/חֲכָמִ֔ים	hachakhamim	`HTd/Aampa`	the wise men	the wise men	2
`H2450-20`	וַ/חֲכָמֶ֜י/הָ	vachakhameyha	`HC/Aampc/Sp3fs`	and its wise men	and her wise men	2
`H2450-15`	לַ/חֲכַם	lachakham	`HR/Aamsc`	to the wise	to the wise man	2
`H2450-04`	חֲכָמָ֔י/ו	chakhamayv	`HAampc/Sp3ms`	his wise men	his wise men	2
`H2450-05`	חֲכָמֶ֑י/הָ	chakhameyha	`HAampc/Sp3fs`	the wise men	her wise men	2
`H2450-23`	וְֽ/חַכְמֵ֔י	vechakhemey	`HC/Aampc`	and the wise men	and wise ones of	1
`H2450-10`	חַכְמ֥וֹת	chakhemot	`HAafpc`	wisest (ones)	wise women of	1
`H2450-18`	מֵֽ/חָכָ֔ם	mechakham	`HR/Aamsa`	from the wise	from a wise man	1
`H2450-19`	וַ/חֲכַ֥ם	vachakham	`HC/Aamsc`	and skilled	and wise	1
`H2450-24`	וְ/הַ/חֲכָמִ֛ים	vehachakhamim	`HC/Td/Aampa`		and the wise ones	1
`H2450-08`	חַכְמַת	chakhemat	`HAafsc`	wise-hearted	wisdom-of	1
`H2450-14`	כְּ/הֶ֣/חָכָ֔ם	kehechakham	`HR/Td/Aamsa`	is like the wise [one]	wise man	1
`H2450-03`	חֲכָמַ֤יִ/ךְ	chakhamayikhe	`HAampc/Sp2fs`	wise men	your wise men	1
`H2450-12`	הַ/חֲכָמ֥וֹת	hachakhamot	`HTd/Aafpa`	the wise women	the wise women	1
`H2450-21`	וַ֝/חֲכָמִ֗ים	vachakhamim	`HC/Aampa`	but wise men	wise men	1

Occurrences in Scripture

137 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`H2450-05`	Genesis 41:8	חֲכָמֶ֑י/הָ	chakhameyha	`HAampc/Sp3fs`	the wise men	her wise men
`H2450-22`	Genesis 41:33	וְ/חָכָ֑ם	vechakham	`HC/Aamsa`	and wise	and a wise one
`H2450-22`	Genesis 41:39	וְ/חָכָ֖ם	vechakham	`HC/Aamsa`	and wise	and a wise one
`H2450-16`	Exodus 7:11	לַֽ/חֲכָמִ֖ים	lachakhamim	`HRd/Aampa`	for the wise men	to the wise ones
`H2450-09`	Exodus 28:3	חַכְמֵי	chakhemey	`HAampc`	wise	wise ones of
`H2450-01`	Exodus 31:6	חֲכַם	chakham	`HAamsc`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Exodus 35:10	חֲכַם	chakham	`HAamsc`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-08`	Exodus 35:25	חַכְמַת	chakhemat	`HAafsc`	wise-hearted	wisdom-of
`H2450-01`	Exodus 36:1	חֲכַם	chakham	`HAamsc`	skillful	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Exodus 36:2	חֲכַם	chakham	`HAamsc`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-11`	Exodus 36:4	הַ֣/חֲכָמִ֔ים	hachakhamim	`HTd/Aampa`	the wise men	the wise men
`H2450-01`	Exodus 36:8	חֲכַם	chakham	`HAamsc`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Deuteronomy 1:13	חֲכָמִ֧ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	wise	wise men
`H2450-07`	Deuteronomy 1:15	חֲכָמִים֙	chakhamim	`HAampa`	wise	wise men
`H2450-01`	Deuteronomy 4:6	חָכָ֣ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Deuteronomy 16:19	חֲכָמִ֔ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	the wise	wise men
`H2450-01`	Deuteronomy 32:6	חָכָ֑ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-10`	Judges 5:29	חַכְמ֥וֹת	chakhemot	`HAafpc`	wisest (ones)	wise women of
`H2450-01`	2 Samuel 13:3	חָכָ֖ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-02`	2 Samuel 14:2	חֲכָמָ֑ה	chakhamah	`HAafsa`	wise	wise woman
`H2450-01`	2 Samuel 14:20	חָכָ֗ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	is wise	wise one of
`H2450-02`	2 Samuel 20:16	חֲכָמָ֖ה	chakhamah	`HAafsa`	wise	wise woman
`H2450-01`	1 Kings 2:9	חָכָ֖ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	1 Kings 3:12	חָכָ֣ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	1 Kings 5:21	חָכָ֔ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-19`	Isaiah 3:3	וַ/חֲכַ֥ם	vachakham	`HC/Aamsc`	and skilled	and wise
`H2450-07`	Isaiah 5:21	חֲכָמִ֣ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	wise	wise men
`H2450-09`	Isaiah 19:11	חַכְמֵי֙	chakhemey	`HAampc`	wise	wise ones of
`H2450-07`	Isaiah 19:11	חֲכָמִ֥ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	the wise	wise men
`H2450-06`	Isaiah 19:12	חֲכָמֶ֔י/ךָ	chakhameykha	`HAampc/Sp2ms`	your wise men	your wise ones
`H2450-04`	Isaiah 29:14	חֲכָמָ֔י/ו	chakhamayv	`HAampc/Sp3ms`	their wise men	his wise men
`H2450-01`	Isaiah 31:2	חָכָם֙	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Isaiah 40:20	חָכָם֙	chakham	`HAamsa`	skillful	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Isaiah 44:25	חֲכָמִ֛ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	wise men	wise men
`H2450-07`	Jeremiah 4:22	חֲכָמִ֥ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	wise	wise men
`H2450-07`	Jeremiah 8:8	חֲכָמִ֣ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	wise	wise men
`H2450-07`	Jeremiah 8:9	חֲכָמִ֔ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	wise men	wise men
`H2450-13`	Jeremiah 9:11	הֶֽ/חָכָם֙	hechakham	`HTd/Aamsa`	the wise	the wise man
`H2450-12`	Jeremiah 9:16	הַ/חֲכָמ֥וֹת	hachakhamot	`HTd/Aafpa`	the wise women	the wise women
`H2450-01`	Jeremiah 9:22	חָכָם֙	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise man	wise one of
`H2450-09`	Jeremiah 10:7	חַכְמֵ֧י	chakhemey	`HAampc`	wise men of	wise ones of
`H2450-07`	Jeremiah 10:9	חֲכָמִ֖ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	skillful ones	wise men
`H2450-18`	Jeremiah 18:18	מֵֽ/חָכָ֔ם	mechakham	`HR/Aamsa`	from the wise	from a wise man
`H2450-05`	Jeremiah 50:35	חֲכָמֶֽי/הָ	chakhameyha	`HAampc/Sp3fs`	wise-men-of-her	her wise men
`H2450-20`	Jeremiah 51:57	וַ/חֲכָמֶ֜י/הָ	vachakhameyha	`HC/Aampc/Sp3fs`	and-wise-men-of-her	and her wise men
`H2450-03`	Ezekiel 27:8	חֲכָמַ֤יִ/ךְ	chakhamayikhe	`HAampc/Sp2fs`	wise men	your wise men
`H2450-20`	Ezekiel 27:9	וַ/חֲכָמֶ֨י/הָ֙	vachakhameyha	`HC/Aampc/Sp3fs`	and its wise men	and her wise men
`H2450-01`	Ezekiel 28:3	חָכָ֛ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Hosea 13:13	חָכָ֔ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Hosea 14:10	חָכָם֙	chakham	`HAamsa`	is wise	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Obadiah 1:8	חֲכָמִים֙	chakhamim	`HAampa`	the wise men	wise men
`H2450-07`	Psalms 49:11	חֲכָ֘מִ֤ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	wise-men	wise men
`H2450-01`	Psalms 107:43	חָכָ֥ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	is wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 1:5	חָ֭כָם	chakham	`HNcmsa`	wise man	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Proverbs 1:6	חֲ֝כָמִ֗ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	of the wise	wise men
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 3:7	חָכָ֣ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Proverbs 3:35	חֲכָמִ֣ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	the wise	wise men
`H2450-17`	Proverbs 9:8	לְ֝/חָכָ֗ם	lechakham	`HR/Aamsa`	a wise man	to a wise man
`H2450-17`	Proverbs 9:9	לְ֭/חָכָם	lechakham	`HR/Aamsa`	to a wise man	to a wise man
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 10:1	חָ֭כָם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 10:8	חֲכַם	chakham	`HAamsc`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Proverbs 10:14	חֲכָמִ֥ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	wise men	wise men
`H2450-15`	Proverbs 11:29	לַ/חֲכַם	lachakham	`HR/Aamsc`	to the wise	to the wise man
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 11:30	חָכָֽם	chakham	`HAamsa`	is wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 12:15	חָכָֽם	chakham	`HAamsa`	is wise	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Proverbs 12:18	חֲכָמִ֣ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	of the wise	wise men
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 13:1	חָ֭כָם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 13:14	חָ֭כָם	chakham	`HAamsa`	of the wise	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Proverbs 13:20	חֲכָמִ֣ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	wise men	wise men
`H2450-07`	Proverbs 14:3	חֲ֝כָמִ֗ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	of the wise	wise men
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 14:16	חָכָ֣ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise man	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Proverbs 14:24	חֲכָמִ֣ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	of the wise	wise men
`H2450-07`	Proverbs 15:2	חֲ֭כָמִים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	of the wise	wise men
`H2450-07`	Proverbs 15:7	חֲ֭כָמִים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	of the wise	wise men
`H2450-07`	Proverbs 15:12	חֲ֝כָמִ֗ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	the wise	wise men
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 15:20	חָ֭כָם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Proverbs 15:31	חֲכָמִ֣ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	the wise	wise men
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 16:14	חָכָ֣ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-15`	Proverbs 16:21	לַ/חֲכַם	lachakham	`HR/Aamsc`	to the wise	to the wise man
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 16:23	חָ֭כָם	chakham	`HAamsa`	of the wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 17:28	חָכָ֣ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Proverbs 18:15	חֲ֝כָמִ֗ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	of the wise	wise men
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 20:26	חָכָ֑ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-17`	Proverbs 21:11	לְ֝/חָכָ֗ם	lechakham	`HR/Aamsa`	the wise	to a wise man
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 21:20	חָכָ֑ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	of the wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 21:22	חָכָ֑ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise-man	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Proverbs 22:17	חֲכָמִ֑ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	of the wise	wise men
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 23:24	חָ֝כָ֗ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 24:5	חָכָ֥ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-16`	Proverbs 24:23	לַֽ/חֲכָמִ֑ים	lachakhamim	`HR/Aampa`	to the wise	to the wise ones
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 25:12	חָ֝כָ֗ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 26:5	חָכָ֣ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 26:12	חָכָ֣ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 26:16	חָכָ֣ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 28:11	חָכָ֣ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-21`	Proverbs 29:8	וַ֝/חֲכָמִ֗ים	vachakhamim	`HC/Aampa`	but wise men	wise men
`H2450-01`	Proverbs 29:9	חָכָ֗ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-22`	Proverbs 29:11	וְ֝/חָכָ֗ם	vechakham	`HC/Aamsa`	but wise	and a wise one
`H2450-07`	Proverbs 30:24	חֲכָמִ֥ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	wise	wise men
`H2450-07`	Job 5:13	חֲכָמִ֣ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	the wise	wise men
`H2450-01`	Job 9:4	חֲכַ֣ם	chakham	`HAamsc`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-13`	Job 15:2	הֶֽ/חָכָ֗ם	hechakham	`HTi/Aamsa`	wise man	the wise man
`H2450-07`	Job 15:18	חֲכָמִ֥ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	wise-men	wise men
`H2450-01`	Job 17:10	חָכָֽם	chakham	`HAamsa`	a wise man	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Job 34:2	חֲכָמִ֣ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	you wise men	wise men
`H2450-01`	Job 34:34	חָ֝כָ֗ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-09`	Job 37:24	חַכְמֵי	chakhemey	`HAampc`	wise	wise ones of
`H2450-13`	Ecclesiastes 2:14	הֶֽ/חָכָם֙	hechakham	`HTd/Aamsa`		the wise man
`H2450-17`	Ecclesiastes 2:16	לֶ/חָכָ֛ם	lechakham	`HRd/Aamsa`		to a wise man
`H2450-13`	Ecclesiastes 2:16	הֶ/חָכָ֖ם	hechakham	`HTd/Aamsa`		the wise man
`H2450-13`	Ecclesiastes 2:19	הֶֽ/חָכָ֤ם	hechakham	`HTi/Aamsa`		the wise man
`H2450-22`	Ecclesiastes 4:13	וְ/חָכָ֑ם	vechakham	`HC/Aamsa`		and a wise one
`H2450-17`	Ecclesiastes 6:8	לֶ/חָכָ֖ם	lechakham	`HRd/Aamsa`		to a wise man
`H2450-07`	Ecclesiastes 7:4	חֲכָמִים֙	chakhamim	`HAampa`		wise men
`H2450-01`	Ecclesiastes 7:5	חָכָ֑ם	chakham	`HAamsa`		wise one of
`H2450-01`	Ecclesiastes 7:7	חָכָ֑ם	chakham	`HAamsa`		wise one of
`H2450-17`	Ecclesiastes 7:19	לֶ/חָכָ֑ם	lechakham	`HRd/Aamsa`		to a wise man
`H2450-14`	Ecclesiastes 8:1	כְּ/הֶ֣/חָכָ֔ם	kehechakham	`HR/Td/Aamsa`	is like the wise [one]	wise man
`H2450-01`	Ecclesiastes 8:5	חָכָֽם	chakham	`HAamsa`		wise one of
`H2450-13`	Ecclesiastes 8:17	הֶֽ/חָכָם֙	hechakham	`HTd/Aamsa`		the wise man
`H2450-24`	Ecclesiastes 9:1	וְ/הַ/חֲכָמִ֛ים	vehachakhamim	`HC/Td/Aampa`		and the wise ones
`H2450-16`	Ecclesiastes 9:11	לַ/חֲכָמִ֥ים	lachakhamim	`HRd/Aampa`	to the wise	to the wise ones
`H2450-01`	Ecclesiastes 9:15	חָכָ֔ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Ecclesiastes 9:17	חֲכָמִ֔ים	chakhamim	`HAampa`	of wise	wise men
`H2450-01`	Ecclesiastes 10:2	חָכָם֙	chakham	`HAamsa`	of a wise man	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Ecclesiastes 10:12	חָכָ֖ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	a wise man	wise one of
`H2450-01`	Ecclesiastes 12:9	חָכָ֑ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-07`	Ecclesiastes 12:11	חֲכָמִים֙	chakhamim	`HAampa`	the wise	wise men
`H2450-16`	Esther 1:13	לַ/חֲכָמִ֖ים	lachakhamim	`HRd/Aampa`	to the wise men	to the wise ones
`H2450-04`	Esther 6:13	חֲכָמָ֜י/ו	chakhamayv	`HAampc/Sp3ms`	his wise men	his wise men
`H2450-01`	1 Chronicles 22:15	חָכָ֖ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	skillful	wise one of
`H2450-01`	2 Chronicles 2:6	חָכָ֡ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-11`	2 Chronicles 2:6	הַֽ/חֲכָמִ֗ים	hachakhamim	`HTd/Aampa`	the wise men	the wise men
`H2450-01`	2 Chronicles 2:11	חָכָ֗ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-01`	2 Chronicles 2:12	חָכָ֛ם	chakham	`HAamsa`	wise	wise one of
`H2450-06`	2 Chronicles 2:13	חֲכָמֶ֔י/ךָ	chakhameykha	`HAampc/Sp2ms`	your wise men	your wise ones
`H2450-23`	2 Chronicles 2:13	וְֽ/חַכְמֵ֔י	vechakhemey	`HC/Aampc`	and the wise men	and wise ones of

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