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OET interlinear PROV 1:7

← PROV 1:7 ↓ → ► ║ ©

Hebrew word order

    1. Hebrew word
    2. Hebrew lemma
    3. OET-LV words
    4. OET-RV words
    5. Strongs
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. Gloss
    8. CAPS codes
    9. OET tags
    10. OET word #
    1. יִרְאַת
    2. 387107
    3. The fear of
    4. -
    5. 3374
    6. S-Ncfsc
    7. the_fear_of
    8. S
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269447
    1. יְהוָה
    2. 387108
    3. YHWH
    4. Yahweh
    5. 3068
    6. S-Np
    7. of_Yahweh
    8. -
    9. Person=God; Y-1000
    10. 269448
    1. רֵאשִׁית
    2. 387109
    3. +is +the beginning of
    4. beginning
    5. 7225
    6. P-Ncfsc
    7. [is_the]_beginning_of
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269449
    1. דָּעַת
    2. 387110
    3. knowledge
    4. knowledge
    5. 1847
    6. P-Ncfsa
    7. knowledge
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269450
    1. חָכְמָה
    2. 387111
    3. wisdom
    4. wisdom
    5. 2451
    6. O-Ncfsa
    7. wisdom
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269451
    1. וּ,מוּסָר
    2. 387112,387113
    3. and discipline
    4. and
    5. 4148
    6. O-C,Ncmsa
    7. and,discipline
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269452
    1. אֱוִילִים
    2. 387114
    3. fools
    4. -
    5. 191
    6. S-Aampa
    7. fools
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269453
    1. בָּזוּ
    2. 387115
    3. they despise
    4. despise they
    5. 936
    6. V-Vqp3cp
    7. they_despise
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269454
    2. 387116
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -x-sof-pasuq
    8. -
    9. -
    10. 269455
    2. 387117
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -x-pe
    8. S
    9. -
    10. 269456

OET (OET-LV) The_fear_of YHWH is_the_beginning_of knowledge wisdom and_discipline fools they_despise.

OET (OET-RV) Deciding to obey Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge.
 ⇔ Fools despise wisdom and being told what they should do.

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:1–7: This is the purpose of Proverbs

This section is the writer’s introduction to the book of Proverbs. It contains an overall title for the book (1:1), a statement of purpose (1:2–6), and a motto or key verse (1:7). In Hebrew, the first six verses form a single sentence that gives related goals or functions for the proverbs. Proverbs 1:2a, 1:2b, 1:3a, 1:4a, and 1:6a all begin with a verb phrase that relates back to the title and gives one of the functions. The BSB translates these phrases as: “for gaining…, for comprehending…, for receiving…. To impart…, by understanding….” Proverbs 1:5 begins with a different grammatical construction. Several scholars therefore consider this verse to be a parenthesis, clarifying that the proverbs are also useful to people who are wise.

Some other headings for this section are:

The Purpose of Proverbs (NLT)

How Proverbs Can Be Used (CEV)

The Importance of Proverbs (NCV)

1:7

Notice the parallelism. The individual parts of 1:7a do not contrast with the parallel parts of 1:7b. Instead, the overall meaning of the second line contrasts with the meaning of the first line.

7aThe fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

7bbut fools despise wisdom and discipline.

This contrast expresses an important principle in the book of Proverbs. See the General Comment following 1:7b for different ways to translate this verse.

1:7a

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: The main idea of this clause is restated in slightly different words in 9:10a and 15:33a. In each of these three verses, the parallel line expresses a different idea.

The fear of the LORD: The Hebrew word translated as fear indicates both real fear and reverential awe. It also involves submitting to the LORD and obeying him. Most English versions translate only one aspect of the meaning. For example:

reverence for the Lord (GNT)

The fear of the Lord (RSV)

The CEV has two aspects:

Respect and obey the LORD! (CEV)

If possible, you should choose a word or words that express at least two aspects of the meaning, for example, “fear and reverence” or “reverence and obedience.” (Compare 1:29a–b and 9:10a.)

is the beginning of knowledge: In this context, the word beginning indicates the prerequisite, foundation/basis, or first step to attaining knowledge.Ross (page 907), Fox (page 67), Cook (page 17), Delitzsch (page 58).

knowledge: The word knowledge (Hebrew: daʿat) has the broadest meaning of the words that are associated with wisdom. It can refer to knowing information, but usually it also refers to knowing how to live successfully. When knowledge is used in this sense, it has a very similar meaning to wisdom.Fox (pages 31, 68–69). (Compare 1:7 with 9:10.)

See knowledge in the Glossary.

1:7b

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

but fools despise wisdom and discipline: The word order in Hebrew puts emphasis on the word fools.Delitzsch (page 41). Some ways to express this emphasis in English are:

Only fools despise wisdom and discipline. (NLT96)

Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice. (CEV)

fools: The word “fool” (Hebrew ʾewil) refers to someone who is a moral fool, not someone who is mentally stupid or uneducated. A moral fool is someone who cannot or will not do what is right or avoid what is wrong. He does stupid and wrong things because of his evil character. In some verses the word is also used to describe a person who is insolent or stubborn, refusing to accept advice or correction.Ross (page 907), Kidner (page 41), Fox (page 40). Other ways to translate this word are:

Stubborn fools (GW)

insolent fools

See fool 1 in the Glossary.

despise wisdom and discipline: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as despise means to reject or consider to be worthless. For discipline, see the note on 1:2a. Another way to translate the phrase despise wisdom and discipline is:

have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn (GNT)

General Comment on 1:7a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to use one or more “if” clauses to translate this verse. For example:

7a If a person fears and respects the LORD, he will begin to have knowledge,

7bbut if he thinks that wisdom has no value and he refuses to learn, that kind of person is truly foolish.

The BSB uses the plural word “fools.” The above example uses third person singular (“a person…he”). In some languages, it is more natural to express a general principle like this with the second person pronoun “you” (singular or plural). For example:

7aHave respect/reverence for the LORD and obey him. Then you will begin to have knowledge.

7bIf you reject/despise the advice of a wise person you are a fool.

Use a natural way in your language to translate this important principle.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

יִרְאַ֣ת יְ֭הוָה

fear_of YHWH

Here, the author is using the possessive form to describe fear that a person should have for Yahweh. If this is not clear in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The fear for Yahweh”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

רֵאשִׁ֣ית דָּ֑עַת

beginning_of knowledge

Here, beginning refers to the basis of something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “is the prerequisite for acquiring knowledge” or “is what knowledge is based upon”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

יִרְאַ֣ת יְ֭הוָה

fear_of YHWH

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of fear, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “Being deeply respectful of Yahweh” or “Revering Yahweh”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

רֵאשִׁ֣ית דָּ֑עַת

beginning_of knowledge

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of knowledge, you could express the same idea in another way. See how you translated knowledge in [1:4](../01/04.md). Alternate translation: “is what enables you to know what is true” or “allows you to think wisely”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

חָכְמָ֥ה וּ֝⁠מוּסָ֗ר אֱוִילִ֥ים בָּֽזוּ

wisdom and,discipline fools despise

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of wisdom and instruction, you could express the same ideas in other ways. See how you translated wisdom and instruction in [1:2](../01/02.md). Alternate translation: “But fools do not care about being wise or learning from others”

Note 6 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

חָכְמָ֥ה וּ֝⁠מוּסָ֗ר אֱוִילִ֥ים בָּֽזוּ

wisdom and,discipline fools despise

This clause is a strong contrast with the previous clause. Use the most natural way in your language to indicate a contrast. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence. Alternate translation: “By contrast, fools despise wisdom and instruction”

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

    1. OET-LV words
    2. OET-RV words
    3. Strongs
    4. Hebrew word
    5. Hebrew lemma
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. Gloss
    8. CAPS codes
    9. OET tags
    10. OET word #
    1. The fear of
    2. -
    3. 3053
    5. 387107
    6. S-Ncfsc
    8. S
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269447
    1. YHWH
    2. Yahweh
    3. 3354
    5. 387108
    6. S-Np
    8. -
    9. Person=God; Y-1000
    10. 269448
    1. +is +the beginning of
    2. beginning
    3. 7148
    5. 387109
    6. P-Ncfsc
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269449
    1. knowledge
    2. knowledge
    3. 1710
    5. 387110
    6. P-Ncfsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269450
    1. wisdom
    2. wisdom
    3. 2730
    5. 387111
    6. O-Ncfsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269451
    1. and discipline
    2. and
    3. 1987,4857
    5. 387112,387113
    6. O-C,Ncmsa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269452
    1. fools
    2. -
    3. 8
    5. 387114
    6. S-Aampa
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269453
    1. they despise
    2. despise they
    3. 1280
    5. 387115
    6. V-Vqp3cp
    8. -
    9. Y-1000
    10. 269454

OET (OET-LV) The_fear_of YHWH is_the_beginning_of knowledge wisdom and_discipline fools they_despise.

OET (OET-RV) Deciding to obey Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge.
 ⇔ Fools despise wisdom and being told what they should do.

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The Hebrew text, lemmas, and morphology are all thanks to the OSHB and some of the glosses are from Macula Hebrew.OET logo mark

← PROV 1:7 ↑ → ► ║ ©