PROV 1:7 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, green:YHWH.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX Ἀρχὴ σοφίας φόβος Κυριου, σύνεσις δὲ ἀγαθὴ πᾶσι τοῖς ποιοῦσιν αὐτήν· εὐσέβεια δὲ εἰς Θεὸν ἀρχὴ αἰσθήσεως, σοφίαν δὲ καὶ παιδείαν ἀσεβεῖς ἐξουθενήσουσιν.
(Arⱪaʸ sofias fobos Kuriou, sunesis de agathaʸ pasi tois poiousin autaʸn; eusebeia de eis Theon arⱪaʸ aisthaʸseōs, sofian de kai paideian asebeis exouthenaʸsousin. )

BrTr The fear of the Lord is the [fn]beginning of wisdom; and there is good understanding to all that practise it: and piety toward God is the beginning of discernment; but the ungodly will set at nought wisdom and instruction.

ULT The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;
⇔ fools despise wisdom and instruction.

UST In order to become knowledgeable, a person must begin by deeply respecting Yahweh.
⇔ But foolish people detest what is wise or instructive.

1:7 The Hebrew words rendered as fool in Proverbs denote one who is morally deficient.

OEB No OEB PROV book available

WEBBE ⇔ The fear of the LORD[fn] is the beginning of knowledge,
⇔ but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

1:7 When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh).

WMBB ⇔ The fear of the LORD[fn] is the beginning of knowledge,
⇔ but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

1:7 When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name.

NET Fearing the Lord is the beginning of moral knowledge,
⇔ but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

LSV Fear of YHWH [is the] beginning of knowledge,
Fools have despised wisdom and instruction!

FBV Honoring the Lord is where true knowledge begins, but fools treat wisdom and good advice with contempt.

T4T ⇔ If you want to be wise, you must begin by revering Yahweh.
⇔ Only foolish people despise wisdom and good advice/discipline.

LEB • Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; wisdom and instruction, fools despise.

BBE The fear of the Lord is the start of knowledge: but the foolish have no use for wisdom and teaching.

Moff Reverence for the Eternal is the first thing in knowledge,
⇔ but the impious scorn sagacity and intelligence.
¶ 

JPS The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and discipline.

ASV ⇔ The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge;
⇔ But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

DRA The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

YLT Fear of Jehovah [is] a beginning of knowledge, Wisdom and instruction fools have despised!

Drby The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge: fools despise wisdom and instruction.

RV The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

SLT The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge: the foolish despised wisdom and instruction.

Wbstr The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

KJB-1769 ¶ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.[fn]

1.7 the beginning: or, the principal part

KJB-1611 ¶ The feare of the LORD is [fn]the beginning of knowledge: but fooles despise wisedome and instruction.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above apart from footnotes)

1:7 Or, the principall part.

Bshps The feare of the Lorde is the begynnyng of knowledge: but fooles dispise wisdome and instruction.
(The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.)

Gnva The feare of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fooles despise wisedome and instruction.
(The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. )

Cvdl The feare of the LORDE is the begynnynge of wysdome. But fooles despyse wysdome and nurtoure.
(The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. But fools despise wisdom and nurtoure.)

Wycl The drede of the Lord is the bigynning of wisdom; foolis dispisen wisdom and teching.
(The dread of the Lord is the bigynning of wisdom; fools despise wisdom and teaching.)

Luth Des HErr’s Furcht ist Anfang zu lernen. Die Ruchlosen verachten Weisheit und Zucht.
(Des LORD’s fear(n) is beginning to/for learn. The nefarious_one(s) despise/scorn wise_(people) and culture/discipline.)

ClVg Timor Domini principium sapientiæ; sapientiam atque doctrinam stulti despiciunt.][fn]
(Timor Master principle of_wisdom; wisdom and_yet teaching fools they_look_down_on.] )

1.7 Timor Domini. ID. Duo sunt timores Domini, etc., usque ad Uterque in futuro cessabit, charitas nunquam excidet.

1.7 Timor Master. ID. Duo are fears Master, etc., until to Uterque in/into/on future will_cease, charity never/certainly_not excidet.

TTN Tyndale Theme Notes:

Fear of the Lord

As Moses is giving final instructions to the people of Israel prior to his death, he exhorts the people several times to “fear the Lord” (see, e.g., Deut 6:1-13; 10:12-21; 31:9-13). Joshua gives the same directive near the end of his life (Josh 24:14). Fear implies respect, awe, and at times, knee-knocking terror. Fear of the Lord encompasses a continual attentiveness to his sovereignty and power. For the Israelites to fear the Lord, it would mean an acknowledgment that everything needed for success comes from total dependence on God.

The main theme of Proverbs can be summed up in the ten words that appear near the beginning of the book: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge” (Prov 1:7). The fear of the Lord leads people toward humility and away from pride (3:7; 15:33). With such an attitude, people are more apt to listen to God than to their own independent judgment. Fear of the Lord recognizes God’s central place in the order of the world. God is the Creator and Master of all things. This is why Psalm 14:1 labels those who reject God as “fools”. Those who fear the Lord receive wisdom because they begin to understand that everything is under God’s rule and in his service. This is more than just an attitude; it is a way of living that takes into account God’s power and authority and our ultimate accountability to him.

Wisdom is closely connected to a proper relationship with God—both require choices in line with God’s character (see Job 28:28; Prov 14:2; Eccl 12:13). Do you want wisdom? Then you must enter into a relationship with the one who has all wisdom (see 1 Cor 1:1–2:16; Col 2:3).

Passages for Further Study

Job 28:28; Pss 14:1; 111:10; Prov 1:7; 3:7; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:2, 26-27; 15:16, 33; 19:23; 22:4; Eccl 12:13; Isa 11:1-2; 33:6

SOTN 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,

If a person wants to have knowledge, he must first fear and revere Yahweh.
Have respect/reverence for Yahweh and obey him. Then you^(sing) will begin to have knowledge.
If a person fears and respects Yahweh, he will begin to have knowledge,
A person’s fear and reverence for Yahweh is the basis/foundation of what he knows.

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.

Only fools reject/despise wise advice and correction/instruction.
If you^(sing) reject/despise the advice of a wise person, you are a stubborn/insolent fool.
but if he thinks that wisdom has no value and he refuses to learn, that kind of person is truly foolish.
But as for fools, they cannot be taught, and they consider wisdom to be worthless.

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.

UTN 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