ABSTRACT
The terms wise and wisdom in biblical Hebrew are not restricted to one class or group of persons, but refer to natural intelligence or to acquired skill. Political and judicial sagacity also naturally come under the heading of wisdom. The spirit of wisdom and understanding was one of the principal attributes of the ideal king, though it is noteworthy that no Israelite king other than David and Solomon is specifically credited with wisdom in the Old Testament. Israelite kings, however, did not usually make important decisions without consulting their ministers or courtiers, although they sometimes chose to ignore their advice. The role of Israelite courtiers is reflected in the Book of Proverbs. There it is stressed that the making of policy, specifically military policy, depends for its success on a multiplicity of counselors. In Israel as elsewhere in the ancient Near East the courts were the intellectual centers of the two kingdoms.
