Lexicon :: Strong's H6098 - ʿēṣâ

“For they are a nation devoid of counsel,

And there is no understanding in them.

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me your advice. What should we do?”

Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out and went to his home, to his city. Then he put his household in order, and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.

Some [of the men] of Manasseh also defected to David when he came with the Philistines to go to battle against Saul. But David’s men did not [actually] assist the Philistines, for the lords (governors) of the Philistines after consultation sent him away, saying, “At the cost of our heads he may defect to his master Saul.”

Now when our enemies heard that we knew about their plot against us, and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each one to his work.

“He catches the [so-called] wise in their own shrewdness,

And the advice of the devious is quickly thwarted.

‘Does it indeed seem right to You to oppress,

To despise and reject the work of Your hands,

And to look with favor on the schemes of the wicked?

“But [only] with Him are [perfect] wisdom and might;

He [alone] has [true] counsel and understanding.

“The vigorous stride will be shortened,

And his own counsel and the scheme [in which he trusted] will bring his downfall.

“But notice, the prosperity of the wicked is not in their hand (in their power);

The counsel of the wicked [and the mystery of God’s dealings with the ungodly] is far from my comprehension.

“Yet He filled their houses with good things;

But the counsel of the wicked and ungodly is far from me.

“They listened to me and waited

And kept silent for my counsel.

“Who is this that darkens counsel [questioning my authority and wisdom]

By words without knowledge?

“[You said to me] ‘Who is this that darkens and obscures counsel [by words] without knowledge?’

Therefore [I now see] I have [rashly] uttered that which I did not understand,

Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

[fn]Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example],

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of [fn]scoffers (ridiculers).

How long must I take counsel in my soul,

Having sorrow in my heart day after day?

How long will my enemy exalt himself and triumph over me?

You [evildoers] shamefully plan against the poor,

But the LORD is his safe refuge.

May He grant you your heart’s desire

And fulfill all your plans.

The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations;

He makes the thoughts and plans of the people ineffective.

You will guide me with Your counsel,

And afterward receive me to honor and glory.

But they quickly forgot His works;

They did not [patiently] wait for His counsel and purpose [to be revealed regarding them],

Many times He rescued them;

But they were rebellious in their counsel,

And sank down in their wickedness.

Because they had rebelled against the precepts of God

And spurned the counsel of the Most High.

Your testimonies also are my delight

And my counselors.

And you treated all my counsel as nothing

And would not accept my reprimand,

They would not accept my counsel,

And they spurned all my rebuke.

“Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;

I am understanding, power and strength are mine.

The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes,

But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel.

Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction,

That you may be wise in the time to come.