Definition and General Understanding:
Shrewdness, in a biblical context, refers to the quality of having or showing sharp powers of judgment, astuteness, or practical wisdom. It is often associated with the ability to make sound decisions and to navigate complex situations effectively. In the Bible, shrewdness can be seen as a positive trait when used for righteous purposes, but it can also have negative connotations when employed for deceit or manipulation.

Biblical References:

1. Positive Aspects of Shrewdness:
· Proverbs 1:4 : "to impart prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young." Here, shrewdness is linked with prudence and discretion, suggesting that it is a desirable quality that can be taught and cultivated, especially in the young.
· Proverbs 14:8 : "The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them." This verse highlights the value of shrewdness in discerning the right path, contrasting it with the folly of those who lack such insight.
· Matthew 10:16 : "Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Jesus instructs His disciples to be shrewd, indicating that it is necessary for navigating a hostile world while maintaining innocence.

2. Negative Aspects of Shrewdness:
· Genesis 3:1 : "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made." The serpent's shrewdness is depicted negatively, as it uses its cunning to deceive Eve, leading to the fall of man.
· Luke 16:8 : "The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light." This parable acknowledges the shrewdness of the manager, yet it is within the context of dishonesty, highlighting a worldly wisdom that contrasts with godly wisdom.

Theological Implications:
Shrewdness, when aligned with godly wisdom, is a virtue that enables believers to live wisely and effectively in the world. It involves a keen understanding of circumstances and the ability to make decisions that honor God. However, when shrewdness is detached from moral integrity, it can lead to manipulation and deceit, which are condemned in Scripture.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to cultivate shrewdness in a manner that reflects the character of Christ. This involves being wise and discerning in interactions with others, making decisions that are both strategic and ethical, and using one's abilities to further the Kingdom of God. Shrewdness should be balanced with innocence and purity, ensuring that one's actions are not only effective but also righteous.

Conclusion:
While shrewdness is a complex trait with both positive and negative aspects, the Bible encourages its use in a way that aligns with godly principles. It is a tool for navigating the challenges of life, provided it is exercised with integrity and a heart aligned with God's will.3834. panourgia -- cleverness, craftiness
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: panourgia Phonetic Spelling: (pan-oorg-ee'-ah) Short
Definition: cunning, craftiness Definition: shrewdness, skill; hence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3834.htm - 7k6193. orem -- craftiness
... 6192, 6193. orem. 6194 . craftiness. Transliteration: orem Phonetic
Spelling: (o'-rem) Short Definition: shrewdness. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6193.htm - 6k

7922. sekel -- prudence, insight
... from sakal Definition prudence, insight NASB Word Usage discretion (3), insight
(4), intelligent* (1), repute (1), sense (1), shrewdness (1), understanding (4 ...
/hebrew/7922.htm - 6k

Whether Shrewdness is Part of Prudence?
... OF EACH QUASI-INTEGRAL PART OF PRUDENCE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether shrewdness is part
of prudence? ... Therefore shrewdness does not pertain to prudence. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether shrewdness is part of.htm

Whether Three Parts of Prudence are Fittingly Assigned?
... Again under the head of prudence he mentions "conjecture," "shrewdness," "sense"
and "understanding." And another Greek philosopher [*Andronicus; Cf. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether three parts of prudence.htm

The Duty of Self-Denial.
... he has built; then they amuse themselves with conjecturing what this or that man's
property may be, where he lost, where he gained, his shrewdness, or his ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon vii the duty of.htm

Truth Hidden when not Sought After.
... village, it will commonly be found, that those who have greater gifts of mind than
others around them, who have more natural quickness, shrewdness, and wit ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xiii truth hidden when.htm

Jeroboam
... No one can read his biography carefully without noticing his shrewdness in seeing
his chance when it came, and his boldness and promptitude in seizing it. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/jeroboam.htm

Answer to a Psychical Objection.
... This piece of shrewdness on the part of the Psychics was (naturally) sequent; and
accordingly we have reserved for this place the cautions which, even in the ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xviii answer to a psychical.htm

Thou Shalt not Covet Thy Neighbor's House. Thou Shalt not Covet ...
... derived from the law codes; yea, we even dare impertinently to refer to it, and
boast of it, and will not have it called rascality, but shrewdness and caution. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not covet thy.htm

Now There were Few Barriers Between the Emperor and the People. .. ...
... Vergilius thought for a second of that strange overhauling of Manius the night before,
and of the shrewdness of the great father in returning him, kindly, to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 6 now there were.htm

Grace and Glory
... craft"the glory of the sophist, who could prove or disprove anything for gain or
display; the glory of the successful adventurer, whose shrewdness made its ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxv grace and glory.htm

Snares of Satan
... Then he employs all his cunning and shrewdness so to control circumstances that
the message may not reach those whom he is deceiving on that very point. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 32 snares of satan.htm

Shrewdness (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shrewdness (3 Occurrences). Luke 16:8 "And the
master praised the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for ...
/s/shrewdness.htm - 7k

Wisdom (320 Occurrences)
... a false impression in such passages), of military ability (Isaiah 10:13), of the
intelligence of the lower animals (Proverbs 30:24), of shrewdness applied to ...
/w/wisdom.htm - 101k

Relation (86 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:8 "And the master praised the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for,
in relation to their own contemporaries, the men of this age are shrewder than ...
/r/relation.htm - 33k

Praised (101 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:8 "And the master praised the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for,
in relation to their own contemporaries, the men of this age are shrewder than ...
/p/praised.htm - 36k

Contemporaries (2 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:8 "And the master praised the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for,
in relation to their own contemporaries, the men of this age are shrewder than ...
/c/contemporaries.htm - 7k

Shrewdly (2 Occurrences)

/s/shrewdly.htm - 7k

Smart (2 Occurrences)
... 13. (vi) Marked by acuteness or shrewdness; quick in suggestion or reply;
vivacious; witty; as, a smart reply; a smart saying. 14. ...
/s/smart.htm - 8k

Shrewd (14 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:8 "And the master praised the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for,
in relation to their own contemporaries, the men of this age are shrewder than ...
/s/shrewd.htm - 10k

Shrewder (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 16:8 "And the master praised the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for,
in relation to their own contemporaries, the men of this age are shrewder than ...
/s/shrewder.htm - 6k

Shriek (2 Occurrences)

/s/shriek.htm - 7k

What does it mean to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He spoke of making friends by worldly wealth (Luke 16:9)? | GotQuestions.org

Shrewdness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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