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 explain the book's purpose: to impart wisdom and instruction and to give subtilty to the simple. Verse 7 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 of 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 means that the fear of the LORD is the starting point of knowledge; read as "chief," it means that this fear is 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; in other words, it is close to wisdom. The second half of the verse, "but fools despise wisdom and instruction," stands in contrast to this.

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. On the other hand, some observe that using this 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 the Korean Church

The verse serves as the motto or slogan of many Christian schools and universities, and it is frequently read at church school graduation and entrance ceremonies and at worship services for students preparing for examinations.

Related Passages

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