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שֶׂכֶל

𐤔𐤊𐤋

sekel

H7922 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שׂכל to understand, to act wisely, to have insight

Definition

Intelligent insight, understanding, or sound judgment marked by the capacity to discern, comprehend, or succeed in practical matters. The term encompasses both cognitive intelligence and prudent, effective action, especially in contexts where interpretive, strategic, or skillful decision-making is highlighted. Used for intellectual acumen, good sense, or the outcome of wise behavior.

Semantic Range

insight, understanding, intelligence, discernment, prudence, practical sense, successful action, discretion, ability to comprehend and act wisely

Root / Etymology

From the root שׂכל (שָׂכַל), which fundamentally means 'to understand, to be wise, to have insight'. שֶׂכֶל is a concrete noun form denoting the quality or faculty derived from this root, namely, intelligence or insight. The root also yields verbs and participles bearing the nuance of acting wisely or prospering through skillful understanding.

Historical & Contextual Notes

שֶׂכֶל appears almost exclusively in wisdom literature and later biblical texts, frequently emphasizing the quality of insight or discernment needed in leadership, administration, and personal conduct (e.g., 1 Chronicles 22:12, Proverbs 12:8, Ecclesiastes 10:3). In post-exilic writings and later Hebrew, שֶׂכֶל can also denote the practical outworking of intelligence—'success' in one's endeavors achieved through discretion or skillful judgment. Unlike חָכְמָה (wisdom), which can focus on moral or theological wisdom, שֶׂכֶל is more consistently rational, practical, or administrative in sense. Standard English translations often alternate between 'understanding,' 'prudence,' and 'intelligence,' but these may not cover the word's emphasis on practical success through intellectual discernment. The word does not appear in the earliest Torah sources, marking it as characteristic of later literary usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or שֵׂכֶל; from שָׂכַל; intelligence; by implication, success; discretion, knowledge, policy, prudence, sense, understanding, wisdom, wise.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שׂכל (ś-k-l) — to understand, to act wisely, to have insight

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4905 מַשְׂכִּיל insight-imparting composition
H7919 שָׂכַל Let me make wise
H7920 שְׂכַל conducting himself wisely
H7924 שׇׂכְלְתָנוּ understanding

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7922-04 שֶׂ֨כֶל֙ sekhel HNcmsa understanding wise insight 10
H7922-05 שִׂ֭כְל/וֹ sikhelo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his insight his insight 2
H7922-03 מִּ/שָּׂ֑כֶל misakhel HR/Ncmsa from understanding insightful understanding 1
H7922-02 לְ/שֵׂ֣כֶל lesekhel HR/Ncmsc the wisdom of for insight of 1
H7922-06 וְ/שֵֽׂכֶל vesekhel HC/Ncmsa and understanding and intelligent insight 1
H7922-01 בְּ/שֶׂ֗כֶל besekhel HR/Ncmsa with insight with insight 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7922-04 1 Samuel 25:3 שֶׂ֨כֶל֙ sekhel HNcmsa understanding wise insight
H7922-04 Psalms 111:10 שֵׂ֣כֶל sekhel HNcmsa understanding wise insight
H7922-06 Proverbs 3:4 וְ/שֵֽׂכֶל vesekhel HC/Ncmsa and understanding and intelligent insight
H7922-05 Proverbs 12:8 שִׂ֭כְל/וֹ sikhelo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his insight his insight
H7922-04 Proverbs 13:15 שֵֽׂכֶל sekhel HNcmsa good understanding wise insight
H7922-04 Proverbs 16:22 שֵׂ֣כֶל sekhel HNcmsc understanding wise insight
H7922-04 Proverbs 19:11 שֵׂ֣כֶל sekhel HNcmsc discretion wise insight
H7922-02 Proverbs 23:9 לְ/שֵׂ֣כֶל lesekhel HR/Ncmsc the wisdom of for insight of
H7922-03 Job 17:4 מִּ/שָּׂ֑כֶל misakhel HR/Ncmsa from understanding insightful understanding
H7922-05 Daniel 8:25 שִׂכְל֗/וֹ sikhelo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his policy his insight
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