Proverbs 1:7

 
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:7 Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
 
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7 King James Bible (KJV)
 
Fearing the LORD is the beginning of moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7 New English Translation (NET)
 
The fear of the LORD
The phrase "The fear of the LORD" is foundational in the book of Proverbs and throughout the Bible. In Hebrew, the word for "fear" is "yirah," which can mean terror, respect, or reverence. In this context, it signifies a profound respect and awe for God, recognizing His power, holiness, and authority. This reverence is not about being afraid of God in a negative sense but about acknowledging His rightful place as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Historically, the Israelites understood this fear as the beginning of wisdom, a concept deeply rooted in their covenant relationship with God. It is the starting point for a life that seeks to align with God's will and purposes.
 
is the beginning
The word "beginning" in Hebrew is "reshit," which implies the first, chief, or principal part. It suggests that the fear of the LORD is not just an initial step but the foundation upon which all wisdom is built. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was highly valued, and its pursuit was seen as essential for a successful and righteous life. By stating that the fear of the LORD is the beginning, the verse emphasizes that true wisdom cannot be attained without first acknowledging and revering God. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, underscoring the importance of a God-centered worldview.
 
of knowledge
"Knowledge" in this context is more than just intellectual understanding; it encompasses moral insight and discernment. The Hebrew word "da'at" refers to a deep, intimate understanding that comes from experience and relationship. In the biblical sense, knowledge is closely tied to living in accordance with God's truth. It involves recognizing His character and commands and applying them to one's life. The pursuit of knowledge, therefore, is not merely academic but is a spiritual journey that leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more profound understanding of His creation.
 
but fools
The term "fools" is translated from the Hebrew word "ewil," which describes someone who is morally deficient and lacks judgment. In the wisdom literature of the Bible, a fool is not simply someone who is uneducated or ignorant but someone who rejects God's wisdom and chooses to live according to their own desires. This rejection of divine wisdom is seen as folly because it leads to destructive and unfulfilling paths. The contrast between the wise and the foolish is a recurring theme in Proverbs, highlighting the consequences of one's choices in relation to God's revealed truth.
 
despise wisdom and discipline
To "despise" means to regard with contempt or disdain. The Hebrew word "bazah" conveys a strong sense of rejection and scorn. "Wisdom" (Hebrew "chokmah") and "discipline" (Hebrew "musar") are closely linked in the biblical text. Wisdom involves the skillful application of knowledge in daily life, while discipline refers to correction and instruction that leads to moral and spiritual growth. Together, they represent the comprehensive guidance that God offers to His people. Fools, by despising these gifts, cut themselves off from the life-giving instruction that God provides, choosing instead a path that leads away from His blessings and protection. This verse serves as a stark warning and a call to embrace the wisdom and discipline that come from a reverent relationship with the LORD.
 
Berean Study Bible
 
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Fear of the LORD: This phrase doesn't refer to being scared of God but rather to a deep respect, reverence, and awe for God. It implies acknowledging God's sovereignty, power, and holiness. This respect is foundational because it sets the stage for all learning and wisdom by recognizing that true knowledge comes from understanding our place in relation to God.
 
Beginning of knowledge: The verse suggests that true knowledge starts with this reverence for God. In the biblical context, knowledge isn't just about facts or information but also about understanding life, morality, and one's purpose in relation to divine wisdom. This idea posits that without a proper understanding of God, one's pursuit of knowledge might be misguided or incomplete.
 
Fools despise wisdom and instruction: The second part of the proverb contrasts with the first. Those who are described as "fools" here are not merely those lacking in intelligence but those who reject wisdom and instruction, particularly that which comes from God or divine teachings. This foolishness is characterized by an arrogance or willful ignorance that rejects guidance, leading to a life devoid of true understanding or moral direction.
 
In summary, Proverbs 1:7 sets up a dichotomy between those who embrace a life of wisdom through reverence for God and those who reject this path, thereby positioning themselves as fools. This verse establishes a foundational principle for the entire book of Proverbs, emphasizing that wisdom in its truest form is inseparable from a relationship with God.
 
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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,.... Here properly the book begins, and this is the first of the proverbs, and an excellent one; it is such an one as is not to be found in all the writings of the Heathens. By "the fear of the Lord" is not meant a servile fear, a fear of punishment, of hell, wrath, and damnation, which is the effect of the first work of the law upon the conscience; but a filial fear, and supposes knowledge of God as a father, of his love and grace in Christ, particularly of his forgiving love, from whence it arises, Psa_130:4; it is a holy, humble, fiducial fear of God; a reverential affection for him, and devotion to him; it includes the whole of religious worship, both internal and external; all that is contained in the first table of the law, and the manner of performing it, and principle of acting: this is the first of all sciences to be learned, and it is the principal one; it is the basis and foundation of all the rest, on which they depend; and it is the head, the fountain, the root an source, from whence they spring; and unless a man knows God, knows God in Christ, and worships him in his fear, in spirit and in truth, according to his revealed will, he knows nothing as he ought to know; and all his knowledge will be of no avail and profit to him; this is the first and chief thing in spiritual and evangelical knowledge, and without which all natural knowledge will signify nothing; see Job_28:28;
 
but fools despise wisdom and instruction; the same with "knowledge" before; they do not desire the knowledge of God, and of his ways and worship, but despise it, make no account of it, but treat it with contempt; especially the knowledge of God in Christ, in which lies the highest wisdom, for this is "life eternal", Jhn_17:3; they despise Christ "the Wisdom of God", and the Gospel, and the truths of it, which are "the hidden wisdom" of God; and all "instruction" into it, and the means of it; they despise the Scriptures, which are able to make a man "wise unto salvation"; and the ministry of the word, and the ministers of it: such sort of "discipline" (n) was this, as the word signifies, they dislike and abhor; and especially "correction" or "chastisement" (o), which is also the sense of it; suffering reproach and affliction for the sake of wisdom, a profession of Christ and his Gospel; and they are fools with a witness that despise all this; such fools are atheists, deists, and all profane and wicked men. The Septuagint render it, "the ungodly"; and such sort of men are all along meant by "fools" in this book.
 
(n) מוסר "disciplinam", Tigurine version, Piscator, Cocceius, Schultens, (o) "Castigationem, correctionem", Vatablus.
 
John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible
 
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The fear of the Lord. What exactly is this? Well, as they say, it's complicated. It is a compound thought of three ideas that can be used separately or, as is most likely meant here, wrapped up together. First, it means dread or terror. Second, it means to stand in awe. Third, it means to revere or to respect. The basic thought then is that we need to have a right understanding of God, and our position before Him, before we can even hope to understand the wisdom found in Proverbs.
 
The word 'beginning' is also a multi-functional word meaning the first step in a course of action or the chief thing or principal aspect. Putting them together we understand that the fear of the Lord is the first step in acquiring moral knowledge and, at the same time, is the most important aspect of moral knowledge.
 
When speaking of moral knowledge we need to be clear that we aren't speaking of just head knowledge or, as some would put it, book knowledge. We are talking about experiential knowledge or the knowledge gained by, and from, experience. A large part of Proverbs is simply good, common sense.
 
Another thing about Proverbs we need to have a clear understanding of is what is meant when someone is referred to as a 'fool'. A fool is someone who lacks good sense or judgment, particularly when it comes to moral sense or judgment. In fact, as this verse points out, fools not only lack good moral sense or judgment, they despise it, they treat it with contempt, they deem it worthless. In other words, they actively work hard at being fools.
 
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Cross Reference:
 
Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!
 
Job 28:28
And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
 
James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.