Proverbs 9:10 kjv
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10 nkjv
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10 niv
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10 esv
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Proverbs 9:10 nlt
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
Proverbs 9 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Pr 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge... | Directly parallels, foundational statement. |
| Ps 111:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom... | Closely echoes this central truth. |
| Job 28:28 | ...Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom... | Emphasizes fear as the essence of wisdom. |
| Eccl 12:13 | ...Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. | Connects fear with obedience, full human purpose. |
| Deut 10:12 | ...to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways... | Links fear to obedience and right living. |
| Isa 11:2-3 | The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him...the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. | Holy Spirit brings wisdom, knowledge, and fear of God. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | ...let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me... | True boast is in knowing God. |
| 1 Kgs 3:9 | Give your servant therefore an understanding mind... | Solomon’s request for discerning wisdom. |
| Col 2:3 | In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. | Christ as the ultimate source of wisdom. |
| Eph 1:17 | ...spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him... | Pray for deeper knowledge of God through revelation. |
| Phil 3:8 | ...I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. | Knowledge of Christ is supremely valuable. |
| Rom 11:33 | Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! | Acknowledges God's infinite wisdom and knowledge. |
| Heb 12:28-29 | ...let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. | Links reverential fear to proper worship. |
| Jas 3:17 | But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable... | Contrasts divine wisdom with worldly wisdom. |
| Jn 17:3 | And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God... | Knowing God intimately leads to eternal life. |
| 2 Pet 1:2-3 | Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. | Blessings flow from knowing God and Christ. |
| Rev 15:4 | Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? | Acknowledges the universal reverence for God. |
| 1 Sam 2:3 | For the LORD is a God of knowledge... | God Himself is the epitome of knowledge. |
| Pr 2:5-6 | Then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom... | Links seeking wisdom to finding fear and knowledge of God. |
| 1 Jn 4:7-8 | Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God... Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. | Intimate knowledge of God involves reflecting His nature. |
| Ps 19:9 | The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever... | Describes the purifying and eternal nature of this fear. |
| Ps 34:11 | Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. | Encourages seeking instruction in fearing God. |
| Ps 25:12 | Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct... | God instructs those who fear Him. |
Proverbs 9 verses
Proverbs 9 10 Meaning
Proverbs 9:10 proclaims that reverential awe for the LORD is the essential foundation from which all true wisdom originates. It further clarifies that gaining an intimate understanding and deep knowledge of God, who is uniquely holy, is the very essence of true insight and discerning comprehension. This verse asserts a fundamental principle: genuine wisdom and understanding are not merely intellectual achievements but are rooted in a proper relationship with the divine Creator.
Proverbs 9 10 Context
Proverbs chapter 9 concludes the initial instructional poems of chapters 1-9. It vividly contrasts two calls: Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly. Lady Wisdom, having built her house with seven pillars and prepared her feast, sends out her maidens to invite the simple and foolish to turn from their ways and live. Verse 10 serves as Lady Wisdom's foundational lesson to those she invites. It is a re-statement and deepening of the core premise introduced in Proverbs 1:7. Historically, wisdom literature flourished in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel. This verse stands as a unique Hebrew articulation of wisdom, rooting it firmly in a covenantal relationship with YHWH, differentiating it from purely humanistic or polytheistic understandings of knowledge and skill common in contemporary societies. It presents a polemic against any wisdom tradition that does not originate from and respect the one true God.
Proverbs 9 10 Word analysis
- The fear of the LORD:
fear(יִרְאַת - yir'at): Not mere terror, but a profound, reverential awe. It encompasses deep respect, humble submission, and a recognition of God's immense power, holiness, and just authority. This 'fear' naturally leads to obedience and seeking to please Him. It is an active posture of the heart.of the LORD(יְהוָה - YHWH): Refers to God's covenant name, revealing Him as the personal, faithful, and supreme God who establishes relationship. This particular fear is directed solely towards Him.
- is the beginning:
beginning(רֵאשִׁית - re'shith): Signifies not just a chronological starting point, but the principle, foundation, source, or chief part. It means the "first fruit," the best, or the essential element. True wisdom cannot even commence without it.
- of wisdom:
wisdom(חָכְמָה - chochmah): This is comprehensive wisdom, involving moral discernment, practical skill in living righteously, and the ability to apply divine truth to everyday situations. It’s living skillfully according to God’s design.
- and the knowledge:
knowledge(דַּעַת - da'at): Implies deep, intimate, experiential understanding. It’s not just factual information but a personal acquaintance and discernment, similar to a relational knowing.
- of the Holy One:
Holy One(קְדֹשִׁים - qedoshim): This refers to God, highlighting His distinctness, purity, and sacredness, His absolute separation from all creation and sin. The plural form (literal "Holy Ones") is often used in Hebrew to denote majesty, intensity, or the fullness of divine attributes, indicating the ultimate Holiness of God.
- is insight:
insight(בִּינָה - binah): Refers to understanding, discernment, and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, true and false. It is a deeper comprehension that goes beyond mere information to grasp the underlying reasons and implications.
Words-group analysis
- "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom": This phrase establishes the foundational premise of biblical wisdom. It asserts that proper reverence and submission to God are indispensable prerequisites for acquiring genuine wisdom that truly guides life. Without this foundation, any pursuit of knowledge or skill is ultimately misdirected or flawed.
- "and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight": This parallel statement reinforces and clarifies the first. It suggests that profound, personal understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, is identical to true discernment. Knowing Him intimately provides the interpretive framework necessary for distinguishing truth and error, making sound judgments, and gaining deep comprehension of reality. The two clauses together use synonymous parallelism, emphasizing that wisdom and insight flow directly from a reverent relationship with God.
Proverbs 9 10 Bonus section
The concept of "fear of the LORD" throughout the Old Testament is intricately tied to obedience to God's commandments, suggesting that true reverence manifests in action and adherence to His covenant. Furthermore, Lady Wisdom's invitation and the truth of verse 10 are echoed in the New Testament with the person of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the embodiment of divine wisdom (Col 2:3). Therefore, to have the "fear of the Lord" and "knowledge of the Holy One" finds its ultimate fulfillment in a relationship with Jesus, through whom the Father's holiness and wisdom are fully revealed. This verse also implicitly critiques any worldly wisdom that excludes God, deeming it incomplete or ultimately foolish in its aims and methods.
Proverbs 9 10 Commentary
Proverbs 9:10 serves as the heart of the book’s wisdom teaching. It asserts that a life truly aligned with divine truth must begin with reverential awe towards God, His character, and His commands. This "fear" is not paralysis, but a humble recognition of God’s absolute sovereignty and moral purity, fostering a desire to honor Him in all things. From this fundamental posture springs true wisdom, enabling discerning and righteous living.
The parallel clause emphasizes that intellectual accumulation is insufficient; it’s an experiential knowledge of God, the "Holy One," that grants genuine insight. This knowledge equips one to understand life from God's perspective, discern His will, and apply spiritual truths practically. The verse thus integrates a right relationship with God (fear) and a deep understanding of Him (knowledge) as two indispensable pillars for attaining the fullest life of wisdom and discernment.For example, knowing God is holy means understanding the consequences of sin, fostering a desire for purity. Knowing His wisdom allows one to trust His plans even when unclear, leading to peace. Practical applications include valuing God's Word above all other sources of truth, seeking His guidance in decisions, and responding to challenging situations with humility and prayer, rather than relying solely on human cleverness.