Archaic KJV Word
Wisdom
Modern equivalent: intelligence
What Was Lost
The craftsmanship metaphor. Chokmah was the word used for Bezalel's artistry in building the tabernacle -- skilled hands creating something beautiful and functional. Wisdom was not head knowledge but life mastery, the skill of a master craftsman applied to the raw material of daily existence.
Closest Survivor in Modern English
wisdom (still used but heard as 'being really smart' rather than 'skilled at the art of living')
Peak Usage (1611)
KJV Proverbs 4:7 -- 'Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom'; James 1:5 -- 'If any of you lack wisdom'
Died still used but intellectualized (~1800)
Hebrew chokmah ('skilled living/masterful craftsmanship of life') reduced to 'being smart about things.' Wisdom became intellectual knowledge rather than embodied skill at living well.
What Replaced It
“intelligence”
Cognitive capacity; chokmah was practical life-skill -- the same word described artisans who built the tabernacle
“knowledge”
Information possession; wisdom was the ability to apply understanding to the craft of daily living
“good judgment”
Decision-making faculty; chokmah was a comprehensive art of living that included relationships, work, worship, and community