בִּינָה
Binah
Understanding, discernment, insight
Binah (בִּינָה) is a Hebrew word meaning “understanding, discernment, insight,” pronounced “bee-NAH.” Derived from the root ב-י-ן, binah appears 37 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H998).
| Hebrew | בִּינָה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Binah |
| Pronunciation | bee-NAH |
| Meaning | Understanding, discernment, insight |
| Root Letters | ב-י-ן |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 37× |
| Key Verse | Proverbs 4:7 |
| Strong's Number | H998 |
| Category | Abstract & Philosophical |
The Hebrew word binah (בִּינָה) describes a specific kind of intelligence that the modern world desperately needs: the ability to distinguish between things. While chokmah (wisdom) is the skill of living well and da'at (knowledge) is intimate awareness, binah is the capacity to analyze, differentiate, and discern. The root 'bein' means 'between' — binah is literally the ability to perceive 'between' things, to see distinctions others miss. When Solomon asked God for 'a discerning heart to distinguish between good and evil' (1 Kings 3:9), he was asking for binah. In Proverbs, binah is personified alongside wisdom as essential for navigating life. Isaiah 11:2 prophesies that the Messiah will be filled with 'the spirit of binah.' In a world drowning in information but starving for discernment, binah is the Hebrew antidote — the God-given ability to see clearly, think deeply, and distinguish truth from deception.
Key Bible Verse: Proverbs 4:7
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get understanding (binah).”
What Is the Root of Binah in Hebrew?
Binah comes from the root ב-י-ן (bet-yod-nun), meaning 'between.' Understanding in Hebrew is the capacity to perceive what lies between — to see distinctions, relationships, and patterns that surface-level observation misses.
What Does Binah Mean in the Bible?
Binah appears 37 times in the Hebrew Bible, concentrated in Proverbs, Job, and Isaiah. It is one of the three pillars of biblical wisdom (alongside chokmah and da'at). Isaiah 11:2 lists it among the Spirit's gifts on the Messiah. Daniel's supernatural understanding (Daniel 9:22) uses the same root.
How Is Binah Used in Modern Hebrew?
In modern Hebrew, 'binah' means understanding or intelligence. The phrase 'ben adam' (literally 'son of man') uses the same root — 'ben' means 'between/son' — suggesting that to be human is to have the capacity for understanding and discernment.
How to Use Binah in Prayer & Worship
Ask God for binah — the discernment to distinguish truth from falsehood, wisdom from cleverness, God's voice from the noise. In a world of competing claims, binah is the Spirit-given ability to see clearly. Pray: 'Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies' (Psalm 119:125).
Frequently Asked Questions About Binah
How do you say “Understanding” in Hebrew?
“Understanding” in Hebrew is Binah (בִּינָה), pronounced “bee-NAH.” Binah comes from the root ב-י-ן (bet-yod-nun), meaning 'between.' Understanding in Hebrew is the capacity to perceive what lies between — to see distinctions, relationships, and patterns that surface-level observation misses.
What does Binah mean in the Bible?
Binah (בִּינָה) means “Understanding, discernment, insight” in Biblical Hebrew. Binah appears 37 times in the Hebrew Bible, concentrated in Proverbs, Job, and Isaiah. It is one of the three pillars of biblical wisdom (alongside chokmah and da'at). Isaiah 11:2 lists it among the Spirit's gifts on the Messiah. Daniel's supernatural understanding (Daniel 9:22) uses the same root.
How do you pronounce Binah?
Binah is pronounced “bee-NAH.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ב-י-ן.
What is the difference between chokmah, binah, and da'at?
These three form the triad of biblical intelligence: Chokmah (wisdom) is the skill of living well — practical know-how. Da'at (knowledge) is intimate, experiential awareness. Binah (understanding) is the ability to distinguish, analyze, and see connections between things. You need all three: da'at to know God, binah to discern His will, and chokmah to live it out.
How did Solomon demonstrate binah?
When Solomon asked for 'an understanding (shome'a) heart to judge your people, to distinguish between good and evil' (1 Kings 3:9), God gave him extraordinary binah. He demonstrated it famously by distinguishing between two women claiming the same child (1 Kings 3:16-28). True binah sees beneath the surface to the truth that others cannot perceive.
What is Binah in Jewish mysticism?
In Kabbalah, Binah is the third sefirah — 'Understanding' or 'Palace.' It represents the analytical, structuring aspect of divine intelligence that gives form to the raw inspiration of Chokmah. Binah is associated with the divine feminine, processing potential into reality.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H998: Binah
- Bible Gateway — Proverbs 4:7 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for ב-י-ן
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