What does חָכַם · σοφός mean in the Bible?
חָכַם · σοφός is a Hebrew phrase meaning "one who lives skillfully according to God's moral order".
Hebrew · H2449, G4680
חָכָם
To be wise (in mind, word or act) · wise (in a most general application)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
חָכַם H2449 to be wise (in mind, word or act)
σοφός G4680 wise (in a most general application)
Pronunciation sophós
Wisdom encompassing practical skill, learning, and discernment across life's domains, not merely intellectual knowledge.
Open lexicon entry →
What does חָכָם (chakam) mean in the Bible?
חָכַם · σοφός is a Hebrew phrase meaning "one who lives skillfully according to God's moral order".
Full entry for חָכָם (H2449, G4680) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H2449, G4680?
H2449, G4680 is connected to 28 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. one who lives skillfully according to God's moral order
Source Gloss
one who lives skillfully according to God's moral order
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 5 Aligned forms 19
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 13×
Perfect Prov 9:12 · Deut 32:29 · Eccl 2:15 · Prov 23:15 · Zech 9:2 6×
Imperfect Prov 13:20 · Prov 20:1 · Prov 21:11 · Job 32:9 · Prov 19:20 5×
Cohortative Eccl 7:23 1×
Sequential imperfect Prov 27:11 1×
Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject 2×
Participle passive Prov 30:24 · Ps 58:6 2×
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 2×
Jussive Eccl 7:16 1×
Cohortative Exod 1:10 1×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 1×
Participle active Ps 19:8 1×
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 1×
Imperfect Ps 105:22 1×
Word Origins
חָכָם is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain