wise
cha.kham describes people marked by discernment or by skill sufficient for leadership, teaching, and demanding work.
The term most often characterizes people whose discernment is evident in leadership, judgment, instruction, or reflective speech. It also describes practical competence: people equipped to carry out skilled work, including sanctuary work and specialized maritime tasks.
Senses in use
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Discerning people in leadership and instruction · dominant
The adjective marks persons selected or recognized for judgment, understanding, and instructive speech. In Deuteronomy 1:13 the APB renders the chosen men as “wise, understanding, and experienced,” while in Ecclesiastes 12:9 it describes the preacher as one who taught knowledge, pondered, searched, and arranged proverbs. Ecclesiastes 8:5 associates a wise heart with knowing “time and justice.”
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Skilled practitioners and technical experts · common
The adjective also qualifies people whose competence is expressed in particular work or professional tasks. In Exodus 36:1 the APB renders those described as “wise of heart” as knowing how to perform the sanctuary service work, and 1 Chronicles 22:15 places the singular form among workers and artificers “wise in every kind of work.” Ezekiel 27:8 identifies Tyre's wise men as its pilots.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly uses “wise” or “wise men,” and in work settings it also uses “skilled” and “skillful.” Because the English is a whole-verse translation, those renderings show the verse-level presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent for each occurrence.