Biblical Hebrew Forum

[K Randolph <kwrandolph AT gmail.com>]

Pere:

Both words are derived from the same root, with the idea of being between,
among. Yet they have distinct meanings, as evidenced by Proverbs 2:3. Yes,
I see them as synonyms, but similar, not exactly the same.

בינה has the idea of understanding, insight that gets beneath the surface
appearances to deep understanding.

תבונה has the idea of understanding, but as seen in verses like Exodus
31:3, 35:31, Proverbs 24:3, this is practical understanding towards action,
such as making things. As such, such understanding is related to skill.

That’s my 2¢, anyone have any other ideas?

Karl W. Randolph.

On Sun, Jan 22, 2012 at 10:51 PM, Pere Porta <pporta7 AT gmail.com> wrote:

> We have in Pr 8:14 the noun BYNH
> We have in Dt 32:28 the noun TBWNH. Look also at Job 12:13.
> Now... I wonder if there is some real distinction between them concerning
> its meaning in our languages...
> Do they both mean "understanding"?
> Is the "understanding" of BYNH an understanding  different from that of
> TBWNH?
> Are they absolute synonims?
>
> Maybe our friend Karl Randolph, who is a lexicographer, can cast some light
> on this doubt?
>
> --
> Pere Porta
> (Barcelona, Catalonia, Northeastern Spain)