Proverbs 1:7

Context

The Book of Proverbs opens in 1:1 with "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel." Verses 2–6 set out the book's purpose: to impart wisdom and instruction and to give subtilty to the simple. Verse 7, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction," concludes this prologue. The same idea recurs in Proverbs 9:10 as "the beginning of wisdom," so that the two verses frame the larger section formed by chapters 1–9.

Interpretation

• The meaning of "beginning": The Hebrew word re'shit can mean both "beginning" and "chief" (the most important part). Read as "beginning," the verse presents the fear of the LORD as the starting point of knowledge; read as "chief," it presents this fear as the most important part of all knowledge. Many interpreters hold that the word carries both senses.
• The meaning of "fear": Fear (yir'ah) refers not merely to terror but to the whole disposition of honoring, revering, and serving God. In Proverbs it is associated with hating evil (8:13) and with humility (15:33).
• The nature of knowledge: Knowledge here is less a matter of information than an understanding of how to live rightly; it is close to wisdom. The second half of the verse, "but fools despise wisdom and instruction," stands in contrast to it.

Questions of Application

The verse is cited in discussions of the relationship between faith and learning. The Reformed tradition uses it as a basis for Christian worldview education, which holds that all learning must rest on the knowledge of God. Others, however, observe that using the verse to disparage secular learning or rational inquiry departs from the intent of Proverbs. In this connection, it is also noted that Proverbs itself shares features with the wisdom traditions of neighboring nations.

In Korean Churches

In Korea, the verse serves as the motto or slogan of many Christian schools and universities. In Korean Protestant churches it is frequently read at church school graduation and enrollment services and at worship services held for students preparing for examinations.

Related Passages

• Proverbs 9:10
• Psalm 111:10
• Job 28:28
• Ecclesiastes 12:13