The Beginning of Knowledge-6
- lastdays13
- 4 days ago
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Pro. 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
The theme of the book
Fearing the Lord, Solomon wrote, is the beginning of knowledge. The fear of the Lord occurs 11 times in Proverbs (and “fear the Lord” occurs 4 times). “Beginning” is the Hebrew rē'šı̂ṯ which means “the start.” One cannot gain knowledge of spiritual things if he begins at the wrong point, refusing to fear the Lord (i.e., to recognize God’s character and respond by revering, trusting, worshiping, obeying, and serving Him). Rē'šı̂ṯ also means the capstone or essence. The essence of true knowledge is fearing God. Apart from Him a person is ignorant of spiritual things (Rom. 1:22; Eph. 4:18; 1Pet. 1:14). The words of Pro. 1:7 are repeated in Pro. 9:10 near the end of the first section (also cf. Job 28:28; Psm. 111:10).
In contrast with those who fear God and have knowledge, fools despise wisdom and discipline. “Despise” translates the Hebrew bûz, “to hold in contempt, to belittle, to ridicule” (cf. Num. 15:31; Neh. 2:19). Bûz is also used seven other times in Proverbs: Pro. 6:30; 11:12; 13:13; 14:21; 23:9, 23:22; 30:17. Three Hebrew words are translated “fool” in Proverbs. One kind of fool (kesı̂l) is characterized by a dull and closed mind. He is thickheaded and stubborn. This word occurs more frequently in Proverbs than the other two words; it is used 49 times in this book. By his laziness and shortsightedness, this kind of fool rejects information from others (cf. Pro. 15:14). Another word for fool is nāḇāl. It is used only three times in Proverbs (Pro. 17:7, 17:21; 30:22) and refers to one who lacks spiritual perception. A third kind of fool ('ĕwı̂l) is arrogant and flippant as well as mentally dull. He is coarse and hardened in his ways. This word is used 19 times in Proverbs and only 7 times elsewhere. The “fools” in Pro. 1:7 are those who in their arrogant, coarse ways reject God and wisdom (cf. Pro. 1:29). Two kinds of people are contrasted in this verse: those who humbly fear God and thus acquire true knowledge, and the arrogant fools who by their refusal to fear God demonstrate that they hold wisdom and discipline in contempt (cf. “wisdom and discipline” in Pro. 1:2). These two kinds of people are contrasted throughout much of the book.
Religious reverence. Translated "fear" 14 times in Proverbs (Pro. 1:7, 1:29; 2:5; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:26-27; 15:16, 15:33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17). In Pro. 1:2-6 Solomon shows the advantage of acting according to the dictates of wisdom; in Pro. 1:7-33 he shows the danger of acting contrary to them.
The fear...
יִרְאָה
yir'âh
yir-aw'
Feminine of fearing; morally reverent; fear (also used as infinitive); morally reverence: - X dreadful, X exceedingly, fear (-fulness).
of the Lord (Father)...
יְהֹוָה
yehôvâh
yeh-ho-vaw'
From to exist, that is, be; (the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: - Jehovah, the Lord.
The first principle. Religious reverence is the beginning, not the end of knowledge. True wisdom is to justify God and condemn self.
is the beginning...
רֵאשִׁית
rê'shı̂yth
ray-sheeth'
From the same as to shake, the head; the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically a first-fruit): - beginning, chief (-est), first (-fruits, part, time), principal thing.
of knowledge:...
דַּעַת
da‛ath
dah'-ath
From properly to ascertain by seeing; knowledge: - cunning, [ig-] norantly, know(-ledge), [un-] a wares (wittingly).
Three Hebrew Words Translated "Fool" in Proverbs
1. The Hebrew: ’eviyl means lax or careless habit of mind and body; to be perverse, silly, and a fool. Used 19 times in Proverbs (Pro. 1:7; 7:22; 10:8, 10:10, 10:14, 10:21; 11:29; 12:15-16; 14:3, 14:9; 15:5; 16:22; 17:28; 20:3; 24:7; 27:3, 27:22; 29:9).
2. The Hebrew: keciyl means dense or stupid, manifesting itself in impiety and irreverence. Used 49 times in Proverbs (Pro. 1:22, 1:32; 3:35; 8:5; 10:1, 10:18, 10:23; 12:23; 13:16, 13:19-20; 14:7-8.
3. The Hebrew: nabal refers to a vile and vulgar person. Used 3 times in Proverbs (Pro. 17:7, 17:21; 30:22; cp. Psm. 14:1; 53:1).
but fools...
אֱוִיל
'ĕvı̂yl
ev-eel'
From an unused root (meaning to be perverse); (figuratively) silly: - fool (-ish) (man).
Five examples of despising wisdom:
1. Cain (Gen. 4:6-8)
2. Hophni and Phinehas (1Sam. 2:12, 2:25)
3. Nabal (1Sam. 25:25)
4. Rehoboam (1Kgs. 12:13)
5. Athenians (Acts 17:18, 17:32)
despise...
בּוּז
bûz
booz
A primitive root; to disrespect: - contemn, despise, X utterly.
wisdom...
חָכְמָה
chokmâh
khok-maw'
From in mind word or act; wisdom (in a good sense): - skillful, wisdom, wisely, wit.
and instruction...
מוּסָר
mûsâr
moo-sawr'
From to chastise, literally (with blows); properly chastisement; figuratively reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint: - bond, chastening ([-eth]), chastisement, check, correction, discipline, doctrine, instruction, rebuke.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: [in contrast] but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Pro. 1:7).
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning." Now, the word beginning here in Greek, or in Hebrew rather, the Hebrew here means sort of the head or the sum total. In other words, the fear of the Lord, this is knowledge all wrapped up. It’s the summation of knowledge, the fear of the Lord. We come to chapter 9 and he says again there, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge or the beginning of wisdom" (Pro. 9:10). It sounds like he’s saying the same thing but he’s not. The word beginning there is a different Hebrew word, which does mean more what our word beginning means, is the first steps of wisdom. So the fear of the Lord is the first step, but it is also the total.