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Wisdom

World Religion
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The ability to discern inner qualities and relationships; in religion, a divine attribute personified as a female figure (Sophia, Chokhmah).

Detailed Definition
Wisdom (Hokmah in Hebrew, Sophia in Greek) is personified in Proverbs as a divine being present at creation. It represents the intuitive, insightful understanding of the nature of reality and the fear of the Lord. In poetry, wisdom is the ultimate object of the seeker's quest, more precious than jewels. It is often contrasted with mere knowledge, being a living, active principle that guides and orders life. Poets celebrate wisdom as a light, a tree of life, and a beloved companion.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Proverbs, Wisdom (Hokhmah) builds: “Wisdom’s house—seven pillars, feast for all”; In Kabbalah, Wisdom (Chokhmah) is first emanation: “Flash of insight—Wisdom, lightning before thought”; In Sufi poetry, Wisdom is love’s clarity: “Fool for Love—Wisdom that laughs at reason”; Contemporary poets describe Wisdom as earned: “Elder’s silence—Wisdom that speaks without words.”
Additional Notes
Wisdom (Sophia in Greek, Hokhmah in Hebrew) is personified as a woman in Proverbs 8 and the Wisdom of Solomon, calling humanity to truth and life; in Gnostic and Christian mystical thought, she bridges divine and human realms; poets draw on this figure to explore intuitive knowledge, ethical beauty, and the feminine face of the divine that invites rather than commands.
Also Known As
Sophia Prajna Chokhmah
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