H0998 H0998
Understanding, discernment, insight — the cognitive faculty of perceiving distinctions and grasping wisdom
A feminine noun from the root b-y-n ('to discern, perceive between'), denoting the capacity to distinguish, comprehend, and judge wisely. BDB identifies four nuances: the act of understanding (Isa 33:19; Dan 9:22), the faculty itself (Job 20:3; Prov 3:5), the object of knowledge pursued and prized (Prov 4:5, 7; 16:16; Job 28:12, 20), and the personification of understanding as a companion alongside Wisdom (Prov 2:3; 7:4; 8:14). The exhortation to 'get understanding' (qeneh binah, Prov 4:5) places it among the highest spiritual acquisitions, paralleling and complementing hokmah (wisdom).
Senses
1. understanding/discernment — Understanding, discernment, or insight as a cognitive and moral faculty — encompassing the act of comprehension (Dan 9:22; Isa 33:19), the innate capacity to perceive distinctions (Job 20:3; 39:26; Prov 3:5), the prized object of intellectual pursuit (Prov 4:5, 7; 16:16; Job 28:12, 20), and its personification alongside Wisdom (Prov 7:4; 8:14). Multilingual glosses converge: Spanish 'entendimiento,' French 'intelligence/discernement,' German 'Verständnis' — all mapping to a unified field of cognitive-moral perception. 38×
AR["الفَهمُ", "الفَهمِ", "الْفِطْنَةَ", "الْفِطْنَةُ", "الْفِطْنَةِ", "فَهمٌ", "فَهْمًا", "فَهْمًا.", "فَهْمٍ", "فِطْنَة", "فِطْنَةً؟", "فِطْنَةٌ", "فِطْنَةٍ"]·ben["বিবেচনা", "বুঝ", "বুঝ্ঝিমান", "বুদ্ধি", "বুদ্ধির", "বুদ্ধির?", "বোধ", "বোধশক্তি", "বোধের"]·DE["Verstaendnis", "[בינה]"]·EN["is-understanding", "meaning", "understanding"]·FR["[בינה]", "discernement", "intelligence"]·heb["בינה"]·HI["समझ", "समझ-का", "समझ-की", "समझ-के"]·ID["adalah-pengertian", "pengertian"]·IT["[בינה]", "casa", "intelligenza"]·jav["kawicaksanan", "pangerten", "pangertosan"]·KO["깨달음을", "깨달음이", "명철을", "분별-을", "분별-의", "분별-이다", "분별력", "분별력의", "분별력이", "분별력이니라", "분별을", "분별의", "이해-를"]·PT["do-entendimento?", "entendimento", "entendimento.", "entendimento?", "é-entendimento."]·RU["понимание", "понимания", "разум", "разум,", "разума", "разумение", "разумение,", "разумение.", "разумения", "разумения.", "разумения;"]·ES["entendimiento", "es-entendimiento"]·SW["ni-ufahamu", "ufahamu"]·TR["anlayis", "anlayış", "anlayıştır", "anlayışı", "anlayışım", "anlayışın"]·urd["سمجھ", "سمجھ ہے", "سمجھ-کا", "سمجھ-کی", "سمجھ-ہے", "فہم-کے"]
Deut 4:6, 1 Chr 12:33, 1 Chr 22:12, 2 Chr 2:12, 2 Chr 2:13, Job 20:3, Job 28:12, Job 28:20, Job 28:28, Job 34:16, Job 38:4, Job 38:36 (+26 more)
Related Senses
H3045 1. Qal: to know, perceive, understand (829×)H5315 1. soul, inner being (647×)H3820a 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (572×)H4672 1. Qal: find, discover (289×)G1492 1. know facts or truths (285×)H3824 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (250×)H1245 1. seek, search for (200×)G1097 1. know, be acquainted with (196×)H2142 1. Qal: remember, recall (173×)G2588 1. heart (inner self, mind, will) (158×)H0977 1. choose, select (Qal active) (145×)G2147 1. find, discover (144×)G5590 1. soul, inner self (100×)H4672 2. Niphal: be found, be discovered (99×)H1875 1. seek, search for (96×)H5315 2. life, vitality (94×)H1847 1. knowledge, discernment (90×)H2450 1. wise, prudent (84×)H7911 1. Qal: to forget (83×)H3684 1. fool, dullard (70×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† בִּינָה n.f. understanding 1 Ch 12:32 + 28 times; cstr. בִּינַת Pr 30:2 Is 29:14; sf. בִּינָתִי Jb 20:3 + 4 times; pl. בִּינוֹת Is 27:11;— 1. the act Is 33:19 Je 23:20 Dn 1:20; 8:15; 9:22; 10:1. 2. the faculty Jb 20:3; 39:26 Pr 3:5; 23:4; 30:2 Is 27:11; קנה בינה get understanding Pr 4:5, 7; 16:16. 3. the object of knowledge Dt 4:6 1 Ch 22:12 Jb 28:12, 20, 28; 34:16; 38:36; 39:17 Pr 9:6, 10;…