2:6

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

6a For the LORD gives wisdom,

6b and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

2:6a

For: In Hebrew, this word introduces the explanation or reason (in 2:6–8) why the if-then argument in 2:1–5 is valid. The reason a person who searches for wisdom will come to know the LORD is that the LORD is the only source of wisdom.

In some languages, it may be more natural to introduce this explanation without using an explicit word. See the examples in the next note. Introduce this explanation in a natural way in your language.

the LORD gives wisdom: By placing the name the LORD at the beginning of this sentence, instead of its usual position following the verb in Hebrew, the author makes the LORD prominent. This stresses that he alone is the source of wisdom. Some other ways to express this meaning are:

Only the Lord gives wisdom (New Century Version)
-or-
It is the Lord who gives wisdom (Good News Translation)

2:6b

from His mouth come knowledge and understanding: The phrase from His mouth is a figure of speech (synecdoche). In this context, it means “from him.” It indicates that the LORD is the one who gives people the knowledge and understanding that they have. In some languages, it may be clearer to translate the meaning without using the figure of speech. For example:

from him come knowledge and understanding (Good News Translation)
-or-
he gives knowledge and understanding (New Century Version)

knowledge and understanding: The word knowledge has essentially the same meaning here as “wisdom.” It refers both to knowing a lot of information and to being skilled in living.

For understanding, see the note on 2:2b.

General Comment on 2:6a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts. For example:

For the LORD alone is the one who gives wisdom and discernment to people.

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