The Meaning of Proverbs 8:12 Explained

Proverbs 8:12

KJV: I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

YLT: I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, And a knowledge of devices I find out.

Darby: I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find the knowledge which cometh of reflection.

ASV: I wisdom have made prudence my dwelling, And find out knowledge and discretion.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

I wisdom  dwell  with prudence,  and find out  knowledge  of witty inventions. 

What does Proverbs 8:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 8:1-21 - "better Than Gold"
This chapter contains a bewitching picture of Wisdom as a noble matron. Were it not for this feminine touch, we might, suppose that the Preacher had become a Prophet and was discerning the lineaments of Christ, who in His human life embodied the Divine Wisdom, as indeed He was the Eternal Word.
She stands in the open places; her ringing voice is heard down the streets, appealing to those who are entering the city gates or doors of the houses. There is no muttering or whispering; but the beauty of goodness illuminates all she says. She insists on her own value, as compared with the valuables that men prize. The central point in her promises is that she imparts those great moral qualities which imply the true leadership and right estimate of others. What a precious word is Proverbs 8:17 : but we can never forget that we love "because He first loved us." Oh, the mystery and wonder of it! And can that love ever fail us? [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 8

1  the fame
6  and evidence of wisdom
10  The excellence
12  the nature
15  the power
18  the riches
22  and the eternity of wisdom
32  Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it brings

What do the individual words in Proverbs 8:12 mean?

I wisdom dwell with prudence and knowledge [and] discretion find out
אֲ‍ֽנִי־ חָ֭כְמָה שָׁכַ֣נְתִּי עָרְמָ֑ה וְדַ֖עַת מְזִמּ֣וֹת אֶמְצָֽא

חָ֭כְמָה  wisdom 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: חָכְמָה  
Sense: wisdom.
שָׁכַ֣נְתִּי  dwell 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: שָׁכַן  
Sense: to settle down, abide, dwell, tabernacle, reside.
עָרְמָ֑ה  with  prudence 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: עָרְמָה  
Sense: shrewdness, craftiness, prudence.
וְדַ֖עַת  and  knowledge 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: דַּעַת 
Sense: knowledge.
מְזִמּ֣וֹת  [and]  discretion 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: מְזִמָּה  
Sense: purpose, discretion, device, plot.
אֶמְצָֽא  find  out 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: מָצָא  
Sense: to find, attain to.