Original Word: חָכַם
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chakam
Pronunciation: khaw-KAM
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-kam')
NASB: wise, wiser, acting wisely, becomes, been wise, deal wisely, exceedingly
Word Origin: [a primitive root, to be wise (in mind, word or act)]

1. X exceeding, teach wisdom, be (make self, shew self) wise, deal (never so) wisely, make wiser

exceeding, teach wisdom, be make self, show self wise, deal never so wisely, make wiser

A primitive root, to be wise (in mind, word or act) -- X exceeding, teach wisdom, be (make self, shew self) wise, deal (never so) wisely, make wiser.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be wise
NASB Translation
acting wisely (1), becomes (1), been...wise (1), deal wisely (1), exceedingly (1), make me wiser (1), makes us wiser (1), making wise (1), skillful (1), teach his wisdom (1), wise (16), wiser (2).

חָכַם verb be wise (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic , חֲכַם id.; Zinjirli חכמה wisdom, DHM^Sendsch.57; Assyrian —akâmu, know (with exceptional חֿ see Dl^{Pr 178 f.}); Arabic restrain from acting in an evil manner, judge, govern; IV.make firm, sound, free from defect by the exercise of skill) —

Qal Perfect ׳ח Proverbs 23:15; 3feminine singular חָֽכְמָה Zechariah 9:2; הָכַמְתָּ Proverbs 9:12 (twice in verse), etc. + 3t. Perfect; Imperfect יֶחְכַּם Proverbs 9:9; Proverbs 21:11; וַיֶּחְכַּם 1 Kings 5:11; יֶחְכָּ֑ם Proverbs 20:1+; וֶ֯חְכָּ֑ם Proverbs 13:20; תֶּחְכַּם Proverbs 19:20; אֶחְכָּ֑מָה Ecclesiastes 7:23; plural יֶחְכָּ֑מוּ Job 32:9; Imperative חֲכַם Proverbs 27:11; חֲכָ֑ם Proverbs 6:6; Proverbs 23:19 + Proverbs 13:20 Kt; חֲכָ֑מוּ Proverbs 8:33; — be or become wise, act wisely Deuteronomy 32:29 (poetry) 1 Kings 5:11; Job 32:9; Proverbs 6:6; Proverbs 8:33; Proverbs 9:9,12 (twice in verse); Proverbs 13:20; Proverbs 19:20; Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 21:11; Proverbs 23:19; Proverbs 27:11; Ecclesiastes 2:15; Ecclesiastes 7:23; Zechariah 9:2; אם חכם לבך if thy mind be wise Proverbs 23:15; with accusative שׁחכמתי Ecclesiastes 2:19 wherein I have acted wisely.

Pi`el Imperfect יְחַכֵּם Psalm 105:22; suffix יְחַכְּמֵנוּ Job 35:11; תְּחַכְּמֵנִי Psalm 119:98; all make wise, teach wisdom, with acc

Pu`al Participle made wise, intensive, as it were the embodiment of wisdom חוֺבֵר חֲבָרִים מְחֻכָּם Psalm 58:6, plural הֵמָּה חֲכָמִים מְחֻכָּמִים Proverbs 30:24 (of intelligent animals).

Hiph`il Participle construct מַחְכִּימַת מֶּ֑תִי Psalm 19:8 making wise the simple.

Hithpa`el Imperfect נִתְחַכְּמָה לוֺ Exodus 1:10 (E) let us deal wisely (shrewdly) toward it (the people); 2 masculine singular תִּתְחַכַּם Ecclesiastes 7:16 make or shew thyself wise.

Definition and Scope

חָכַם (ḥākam, Strong 2449) is the dynamic verb “to be wise, act wisely, make wise.” It portrays wisdom not as a static quality but as a practiced, God-given skill that can grow, be exercised, or be withheld. Across its twenty-seven occurrences the verb moves between (1) personal insight, (2) shrewd administration, and (3) the impartation of wisdom to others.

Distribution across Scripture

Pentateuch – Exodus 1:10; Deuteronomy 32:6, 29

Historical Books – 2 Samuel 13:3; 2 Samuel 14:2, 20

Writings – Job 32:9; Psalms 19:7; Psalms 52:6; Psalms 107:43; Ecclesiastes 2:15; Ecclesiastes 7:16

Prophets – Isaiah 19:11, 12; Isaiah 44:25; Jeremiah 10:7; Daniel 11:33, 35; Daniel 12:3, 10; Hosea 14:9; Micah 6:9

Wisdom as Intelligent Skill

The first biblical use, “Come, let us deal wisely with them” (Exodus 1:10), reveals that ḥākam can describe strategic acumen—yet Pharaoh’s self-serving wisdom turns out to be folly before God. By contrast, “The testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple” (Psalms 19:7) centers true skill in submission to divine revelation. Human ingenuity flourishes only when it is shaped by the LORD’s word.

Covenant Obedience and National Destiny

In the Song of Moses the exile of Israel is traced to a lack of ḥākam: “If only they were wise, they would understand, they would discern their latter end” (Deuteronomy 32:29). National security, prosperity, and longevity are thus tethered to covenant fidelity. Isaiah echoes this principle when he mocks Egypt’s royal counselors: “The princes of Zoan are mere fools; how can you say to Pharaoh, ‘I am a son of the wise’?” (Isaiah 19:11). Political sagacity devoid of the fear of the LORD is exposed as empty.

Wisdom for Leaders and Counselors

Nathan’s parable to David, Joab’s orchestration of the Tekoite woman (2 Samuel 14:2, 20), and Daniel’s ministry among pagan monarchs illustrate how ḥākam undergirds godly counseling. Daniel 11:33 foresees “the wise among the people” instructing many during persecution; Daniel 12:3 extends the promise: “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the expanse of heaven.” A remnant endowed with spiritual insight stewards truth for the sake of the community.

Instructional and Transformative Function

In Hifil the verb may denote “to make wise.” Scripture is the chief agent: “The law of the LORD is perfect… making wise the simple” (Psalms 19:7). Affliction also serves: “Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the loving devotion of the LORD” (Psalms 107:43). The verb thereby frames wisdom as a moral transformation in which mind and life are tutored by grace.

Contrast with Folly and Self-Reliance

Ecclesiastes records the teacher’s search: “Then I said in my heart, ‘What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so wise?’” (Ecclesiastes 2:15). Detached from eternal perspective, even the diligent use of ḥākam dissolves into vanity. Jeremiah 10:7 expands the critique to idolatrous nations: “In all their kingdoms there is none like You.” Wisdom divorced from worship proves bankrupt.

Foreshadowing of Messianic Wisdom

The Old Testament ideal of ḥākam converges in the promised King. Solomon’s famed discernment (verbally linked in 1 Kings 3 although with the adjective) anticipates One greater. The New Testament reveals Christ as “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24). In Him the verb’s movement—from receiving wisdom, to acting wisely, to making others wise—finds ultimate fulfillment (Luke 24:45; Colossians 1:28).

Implications for Discipleship and Ministry

1. Scripture-Saturated Counsel – The pastor’s charge echoes Psalms 19:7; exposition that opens the text also “makes wise” the hearers.
2. Prayer for Wisdom in Crisis – Daniel models intercessory dependence; leaders today confront cultural pressure with the same petition for divine ḥākam (James 1:5).
3. Catechesis of the Simple – The verb’s promise toward the “simple” legitimizes patient instruction of new believers and children.
4. Missional Presence – Daniel 12:3 ties evangelistic fruitfulness to wisdom; shining brightly is inseparable from living wisely.
5. Antidote to Cultural Pragmatism – Pharaoh’s and Egypt’s failed strategies warn against church methodologies that prize effectiveness over obedience.

Summary

חָכַם portrays wisdom as a God-centered, covenant-shaped skill that penetrates every sphere—personal, communal, and national. It exposes human cleverness that resists the LORD, honors the Scripture that imparts discernment, and anticipates the Savior in Whom all the treasures of wisdom reside. By embracing this verb’s call, believers grow into a life that both reflects and distributes the light of divine wisdom.

אֶחְכָּ֔מָה אחכמה וְיֶחְכַּם־ וְשֶׁחָכַ֖מְתִּי וַחֲכָ֑ם וַחֲכָ֗מוּ וַחֲכָֽם׃ וַיֶּחְכַּם֮ וחכם וחכם׃ וחכמו ויחכם ויחכם־ ושחכמתי חֲכַ֣ם חָ֭כַמְתָּ חָֽכְמָ֖ה חָכְמ֖וּ חָכַ֛מְתִּי חָכַ֣ם חָכַ֣מְתָּ חכם חכמה חכמו חכמת חכמתי יְחַכְּמֵֽנוּ׃ יְחַכֵּֽם׃ יֶחְכַּם־ יֶחְכָּ֑מוּ יֶחְכָּֽם׃ יֶחְכָּ֑ם יחכם יחכם־ יחכם׃ יחכמו יחכמנו׃ מְחֻכָּֽם׃ מְחֻכָּמִֽים׃ מַחְכִּ֥ימַת מחכימת מחכם׃ מחכמים׃ נִֽתְחַכְּמָ֖ה נתחכמה תְּחַכְּמֵ֣נִי תִּתְחַכַּ֖ם תֶּחְכַּ֥ם תחכם תחכמני תתחכם ’eḥ·kā·māh ’eḥkāmāh chaCham Chachamta chaChamti chacheMu chochmah echKamah ḥă·ḵam ḥā·ḵam ḥā·ḵam·tā ḥā·ḵam·tî ḥā·ḵə·mū ḥāḵ·māh ḥăḵam ḥāḵam ḥāḵamtā ḥāḵamtî ḥāḵəmū ḥāḵmāh machKimat maḥ·kî·maṯ maḥkîmaṯ mə·ḥuk·kā·mîm mə·ḥuk·kām mechukKam mechukkaMim məḥukkām məḥukkāmîm niṯ·ḥak·kə·māh nitchakkeMah niṯḥakkəmāh tə·ḥak·kə·mê·nî techakkeMeni techKam teḥ·kam təḥakkəmênî teḥkam tiṯ·ḥak·kam titchakKam tiṯḥakkam vachaCham vachaChamu vaiyechKam veshechaChamti veyechkam wa·ḥă·ḵā·mū wa·ḥă·ḵām waḥăḵām waḥăḵāmū way·yeḥ·kam wayyeḥkam wə·še·ḥā·ḵam·tî wə·yeḥ·kam- wəšeḥāḵamtî wəyeḥkam- yə·ḥak·kə·mê·nū yə·ḥak·kêm yechakKem yechakkeMenu yechKam yechKamu yeḥ·kā·mū yeḥ·kām yeḥ·kam- yəḥakkêm yəḥakkəmênū yeḥkām yeḥkam- yeḥkāmūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts