King James Bible Dictionary

WISE, adjective s as z. [G., to know., Latin ]

1. Properly, having knowledge; hence, having the power of discerning and judging correctly, or of discriminating between what is true and what is false; between what is fit and proper, and what is improper; as a wise prince; a wise magistrate. Solomon was deemed the wisest man. But a man may be speculatively and not practically wise Hence,

2. Discrete and judicious in the use or applications of knowledge; choosing laudable ends, and the best means to accomplish them. This is to be practically wise Genesis 41:8.

3. Skillful; dextrous.

They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. Jeremiah 4:22.

4. Learned; knowing; as the wise and the unwise. Romans 1:14.

5. Skilled in arts, science, philosophy, or in magic and divination. 2 Samuel 14:2.

6. Godly; pious. Proverbs 13:1.

--The holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise to salvation. 2 Timothy 3:15.

7. Skilled in hidden arts; a sense somewhat ironical; as the wise woman of Brainford.

8.Dictated or guided by wisdom; containing wisdom; judicious; well adapted to produce good effects; applicable to things; as a wise saying; a wise scheme or plan; wise conduct or management; a wise determination.

9. Becoming a wise man; grave; discrete; as wise deportment.

WISE, noun s as z. [G.] Manner; way of being or acting.

This song she sings in most commanding wise

In fittest wise

In the foregoing form, this word is obsolete, the use of it is now very limited. It is common in the following phrases.

1. In any wise

If he that sanctified the field will in any wise redeem it-- Leviticus 27:19.

Fret not thyself in any wise Psalms 37:8.

2. On this wise

On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel. Numbers 6:23.

3. In no wise He shall in no wise lose his reward. Matthew 10:16.

It is used in composition, as in likewise, otherwise, lengthwise, etc. By mistake, ways is often used for it; as lengthways, for lengthwise.

Mentioned in Daniel 2:12 included three classes, (1) astrologers, (2) Chaldeans, and (3) soothsayers. The word in the original (hakamim) probably means "medicine men. In Chaldea medicine was only a branch of magic. The "wise men" of Matthew 2:7, who came from the East to Jerusalem, were magi from Persia or Arabia.

Of Egypt
Genesis 41:8; Genesis 41:24; Exodus 7:11

Solomon
1 Kings 4:29-34

Of Babylon
Daniel 4:18; Daniel 5:8

Of the East
Matthew 2:1-12
Wisdom

[MAGI]

A moral rather than an intellectual quality. To be "foolish" is to be godless (Psalms 14:1; comp. Judges 19:23; 2 Samuel 13:13). True wisdom is a gift from God to those who ask it (Job 28:12-28; Proverbs 3:13-18; Romans 1:22; 16:27; 1 Corinthians 1:17-21; 2:6-8; James 1:5). "Wisdom" in Proverbs 1:20; 8:1; 9:1-5 may be regarded not as a mere personification of the attribute of wisdom, but as a divine person, "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24). In Matthew 11:19 it is the personified principle of wisdom that is meant.

WISEACRE, noun More correctly wisesager. [G., a sayer, a predictor or foreteller.] One who makes pretensions to great wisdom; hence in contempt, a simpleton; a dunce.

WISE-HEARTED, adjective [wise and heart.] Wise; knowing; skillful. Exodus 28:1.

WISELING, noun One who pretends to be wise.

WISELY, adverb

1. Prudently; judiciously; discretely; with wisdom. Proverbs 16:21.

2. Craftily; with art or stratagem.

Let us deal wisely with them. Exodus 1:10.

WISENESS, noun Wisdom.