Original Word: σοφίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sophizó
Pronunciation: so-FEE-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (sof-id'-zo)
Definition: To make wise, to instruct, to teach wisdom
Meaning: I make wise, instruct; pass: I am skillfully devised.

cunningly devise, make wise.

From sophos; to render wise; in a sinister acceptation, to form "sophisms", i.e. Continue plausible error -- cunningly devised, make wise.

see GREEK sophos

Word Origin
from sophos
Definition
to make wise
NASB Translation
cleverly devised (1), give...wisdom (1).

STRONGS NT 4679: σοφίζω

σοφίζω: 1 aorist infinitive σοφίσαι; (σοφός);

1. to make wise, teach: τινα, 2 Timothy 3:15 (Psalm 18:8 (); ἐσόφισάς με τήν ἐντολήν σου, Psalm 118:98 (); οὔτε τί ναυτιλιης σεσοφισμενος, οὔτε τί νηῶν, Hesiod, Works, 647).

2. Middle in Greek writings from Herodotus down, mostly as a deponent, to become wise, to have understanding (ἐσοφίσατο ὑπέρ πάντας ἀντρωπους, 1 Kings 4:27(31); add, Ecclesiastes 2:15, etc.; frequent in Sir.); to invent, play the sophist; to devise cleverly or cunningly: perfect passive participle σεσοφίσμενοι μυθοι, 2 Peter 1:16. (Compare: κατασοφίζομαι.)

Word Origin: Derived from σοφός (sophos), meaning "wise."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • חָכַם (chakam) • Strong's Hebrew 2449: To be wise, to act wisely.
• בִּין (bin) • Strong's Hebrew 995: To understand, to discern.
• שָׂכַל (sakal) • Strong's Hebrew 7919: To be prudent, to act with insight.

These Hebrew terms reflect the multifaceted nature of wisdom in the biblical context, encompassing both intellectual understanding and practical application. The Greek σοφίζω captures this dual aspect of wisdom, emphasizing both the acquisition of knowledge and its application in life.

Usage: The verb σοφίζω is used in the New Testament to convey the act of making someone wise or teaching them wisdom. It can also imply the act of crafting or devising something with skill and cleverness.

Context: The Greek verb σοφίζω appears in the New Testament with the primary connotation of imparting wisdom or skillful instruction. It is used in contexts where wisdom is not merely intellectual but also practical, involving the application of knowledge in life situations. The term can also imply a sense of cunning or craftiness, depending on the context.

In 2 Timothy 3:15, the word is used to describe the Scriptures' ability to make one wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus: "and you have known from infancy the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (BSB). Here, σοφίζω underscores the transformative power of the Scriptures in imparting divine wisdom that leads to salvation.

The verb is also found in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, where it often translates Hebrew terms related to wisdom and skill, particularly in the context of craftsmanship and the wise conduct of life.

εσοφισάμην εσόφισάς εσοφίσατο σεσοφισμενοις σεσοφισμένοις σοφίζου σοφίζουσα σοφισαι σοφίσαι σοφισθήσεται σοφισθήσομαι σοφίσθητε σοφιστάς sesophismenois sesophisménois sophisai sophísaiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts