What is the definition of prudence?
Prudence is the good judgement that you receive when you get wisdom as a result of fearing the Lord in order to do His will in your life. Prudence is good decision making and wisdom is knowing what decision to make.
More Definitions of Prudence and Good Judgment
- Prudence is the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason.
- Prudence is the ability to judge between virtuous and vicious actions
- Prudence is also a reasonable standard of judgment, management, and conduct under the circumstances.
- Prudence is care, caution, and good judgment.
- Prudence can also be defined as a sensible and careful attitude when you make judgments and decisions
Hebrew Word Study – Prudence, Discretion, Insight
1. עָרֹם (ʿārōm)
Part of Speech: Adjective / Noun
Meaning: Shrewd, prudent, clever; skillful in understanding and acting wisely.
Usage Notes: Often conveys practical wisdom in dealing with people or situations, sometimes with a nuance of careful discernment.
Key Scriptures:
Proverbs 12:16 – “A fool’s wrath is known at once, but a prudent man (ʿārōm) conceals dishonor.”
Proverbs 13:16 – “Every prudent man (ʿārōm) acts with knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.”
Prudence in Scripture is linked to wisdom (ḥokmah) and understanding (binah), allowing one to live righteously in a complex world.
2. נָבוֹן (nāḇôn)
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Understanding, intelligent, wise, prudent.
Usage Notes: Refers to moral and practical discernment, the ability to act rightly according to God’s law.
Key Scriptures:
Proverbs 14:8 – “The wisdom of the prudent (nāḇôn) is to understand his way.”
Proverbs 22:3 – “A prudent (nāḇôn) sees danger and hides, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”
Prudence involves foreseeing consequences and aligning choices with God’s will.
3. חָכָם (ḥākām) (related concept)
Part of Speech: Adjective / Noun
Meaning: Wise, skillful, prudent; possessing knowledge and discernment.
Usage Notes: Often broader than prudence, includes both moral wisdom and skillful living.
Key Scriptures:
Proverbs 1:5 – “A wise man (ḥākām) will hear and increase learning; a prudent man (nāḇôn) will attain wise counsel.”
Based on Scripture, prudence (nāḇôn) is often a subset of wisdom (ḥākām), emphasizing practical, situational discernment.
Observations
Prudence vs. Wisdom:
ḥākām = broad wisdom, including spiritual, moral, and intellectual insight.
nāḇôn / ʿārōm = prudence; practical application of wisdom, foresight, discretion.
Biblical Role of Prudence:
Enables one to avoid danger, make godly decisions, and act wisely in daily life (Proverbs 22:3).
Often paired with righteousness; prudent behavior reflects a heart aligned with God.
How About Scriptures That Define Prudence or Wisdom?
- Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
- Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished.
- Matthew 7:24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
Prudence is care, caution, and good judgment.
- 1Corinthians 2:11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
- 1Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
- Proverbs 2:10-12 When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things,
- Proverbs 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
- 2 Timothy 1:6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
- Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
- James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
- Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
We pray that you've learned what prudence is and that the Lord will give you wisdom to make good judgments in your life. Remember prudence is the ability to judge between virtuous and vicious actions and this ability to distinguish is given to you by God.
