8355 understanding

God-given perception of the nature and meaning of things, resulting in sound judgment and decision-making; in particular the ability to discern spiritual truth and to apply it to human disposition and conduct.

The source of understanding

Understanding belongs to God Job 12:13; Ps 136:5 See also Ps 147:5; Pr 3:19; Jer 51:15; Jer 15:15 God’s understanding gives rise to compassion.

Understanding is a gift from God Pr 2:6; Isa 29:24 See also 1Ki 4:29; Job 38:36; Isa 32:3-4; Da 1:17; Da 2:21,30; Da 9:22; Ro 15:21; Isa 52:15

Understanding spiritual truth

Understanding truth about God 1Jn 5:20 See also Pr 2:5; Pr 9:10; Isa 40:21,28; Isa 43:10; Jer 9:24; Jn 10:38; Ro 1:20

Understanding God’s purposes Dt 9:6 God’s reason for choosing Israel; 1Ch 28:19 God’s plans for the temple; Job 34:10-11 the reason for Job’s suffering; Ps 73:16-17 God’s dealings with the wicked; Isa 57:1-2 God’s purpose in taking the righteous; Jer 9:12-13 the reason for the exile God’s purpose in bringing judgment: Jer 23:20; Jer 30:24
Da 8:15-16 God’s purposes in history God’s will regarding his people: Eph 5:17; Col 1:9

Understanding God’s word Ps 119:73; Lk 24:45 See also Ne 8:8,12; Ps 119:27,125; Mt 24:15 pp Mk 13:14; Lk 24:27; Ac 8:30-31; Jn 12:16

Understanding Jesus Christ’s teaching Mt 13:11 pp Mk 4:11 pp Lk 8:10; Mt 16:12; Mt 17:13; Mk 4:33; Mk 8:17; Jn 2:22

Understanding God’s salvation Eph 1:18 See also Isa 41:20; Ro 13:11; Eph 1:9; Eph 3:4,17-19; Col 2:2; Phm 6

Human understanding is limited

Job 36:26; Job 37:5; Pr 3:5 See also Job 26:14; Job 36:29; Job 42:3; Pr 20:24; Ecc 11:5; Isa 40:13-14; Isa 55:8-9; 1Co 13:12

Gaining understanding

Through faith Heb 11:3 See also Mt 16:8-9

Through God’s Spirit 1Co 2:12 See also 1Ch 28:12; Job 32:8; Isa 11:2; Jn 14:26; Jn 16:13-15; 1Co 2:14; Eph 1:17

Through God’s word Ps 119:130 See also Dt 4:6; Ps 111:10; Da 9:2; Jn 20:9

Through wise teaching Ps 49:3 See also Job 8:8-10; Pr 1:2; Pr 4:1; Pr 15:32; Ecc 12:9

Lack of understanding of spiritual truth

Not knowing God Isa 1:3 See also Dt 32:28-29; Isa 27:11; Jer 4:22; Ro 10:19; Dt 32:21

Lack of understanding due to hardened hearts Dt 29:4; Isa 6:9-10 See also Job 17:4; Isa 44:18; Isa 48:8; Jer 5:21; Eze 12:2; Mt 13:13-15 pp Mk 4:11-12 pp Lk 8:10; Mk 6:52; Jn 12:40; Ac 28:26-27; Eph 4:18

Not understanding God’s purposes Ps 82:5; Ps 92:6-7; Isa 5:13; Isa 19:12; Mic 4:12; Lk 12:56; 1Co 2:8

Not understanding Jesus Christ’s teaching Mt 13:19 By Jesus Christ’s disciples: Mk 4:13; Mk 9:32; Jn 4:32-33; Jn 8:27; Jn 11:13; Jn 16:18
Lk 2:50 by Jesus Christ’s parents By some Jews: Jn 2:20-21; Jn 6:51-52; Jn 8:43
Jn 4:11 by the Samaritan woman

Understanding people and situations

1Ch 12:32; Est 1:13; Job 13:1; Pr 20:5; Jn 7:24

Understanding languages

Ge 11:7; Dt 28:49; Ps 81:5; Isa 36:11; Ac 2:6; 1Co 14:2

Those who have understanding

The wise Dt 32:29; 1Ki 4:29; Pr 8:14; Hos 14:9

Good leaders Jer 3:15 See also Dt 1:13; 1Ch 22:12; 2Ch 30:22; Pr 28:2 Bad leaders, by contrast, lack judgment: Pr 28:16; Isa 56:11

The results of understanding

Seeking God Ps 14:2 See also Ps 53:2; Ro 3:11

Obedience Ps 119:34 See also Ne 10:28; Ps 32:9; Ps 119:100; Pr 28:7

Taking the right path Pr 2:9 See also Ps 119:104; Pr 15:21

Life Ps 119:144; Pr 16:22

Sensible living Job 28:28 avoidance of evil; Pr 11:12 slowness to criticise; Pr 12:11 conscientious labour; Pr 13:15 winning favour; Pr 17:27 showing restraint and an even temper; Jas 3:13 good deeds and humility

The results of a lack of understanding

Foolish behaviour Pr 6:32 committing adultery; Pr 7:7 being easily seduced; Pr 17:18 making rash commitments; Pr 18:1-2 selfishness and self-importance; Pr 24:30-31 idleness leading to ruin; Hos 4:11 Drunkenness clouds understanding.

Death Pr 10:21; Pr 21:16; Hos 4:14

See also