New: 30 January 2025; Update: 14 May 2025
Wisdom & the Fear
of the LORD
Proverbs 1:7; 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10
Question
Why is the fear of the LORD the beginning of knowledge and wisdom?
Context
The biblical Book of Proverbs is about God's wisdom and how to acquire knowledge for life based on God's Word or Law (Torah). The beginning of knowledge (1:7) and wisdom (9:10; cf., Psalm 111:10) is the fear of the LORD. What has gaining knowledge and wisdom to do with the fear of the LORD? What is the fear of the LORD and how does it relate to our quest to gain knowledge and wisdom?
Answer
The 'beginning' of something is a starting or entry point. Hence, the starting point of or entry to gaining divine wisdom and knowledge is the fear of the LORD. The term LORD speaks of the Name Yahweh (from the Hebrew consonants YHWH), the God of Israel as revealed in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). Yahweh is the personal Name of God. And since the fear of Him is the beginning of wisdom, the Deity is clearly defined. It is not just any god, but the God revealed in Scripture. Figuratively speaking, we may say that the fear of the LORD is the 'door' to God's 'room' of wisdom, true knowledge and understanding. In a world of more information than we could possibly process, we lack wisdom for life. The Bible offers us the key that unlocks divine knowledge, wisdom and understanding. What this meant by this is found in the verses mentioned above (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; Psalm 111:10).
Proverbs 1:7 NKJV
'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.'
This antithetical verse contrasts the attitude of those who seek knowledge the right way (by fearing God) with those who have the wrong attitude towards it (foolishly despising both wisdom and instruction). It's a lack of humility and teachability (despising instruction), as well as a lack of appreciation for the value of knowledge and wisdom (despising wisdom itself). Wisdom's value, however, is greater than that of gold and silver (Proverbs 3:14-15; 8:19; 16:16; cf., Psalm 19:10), for by wisdom people gain counsel and kings rule (vv 14-16). Even riches and honour are found in God's wisdom (v 18). Wisdom is the principal thing in life; therefore we should pursue it humbly and eagerly (4:7). That priceless wisdom for life is found in God's commandments (7:1-4), which is 'the law of light' (6:23). Fools despise it because they reject instruction and miss out on understanding wisdom. The right attitude in life is to value wisdom's wealth, and not to despise its worth. Fools despise it because they lack the humility to acquire it and refuse to see the value of it. It is like throwing pearls to the pigs (Matthew 7:5): they do not see any value in pearls (presumably because they can neither eat them nor wear them!)
Proverbs 9:10 NKJV
'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.'
The synonymous parallelism in this verse expresses the importance of the knowledge of God as the foundation for true wisdom. In Scripture, God is the source of all life and wisdom. 'Wisdom in the fullest sense belongs to God alone' (see Job 12:13; Daniel 2:20). Biblical wisdom stems from the fear of the LORD and touches all aspects of life. Wisdom, as all Hebrew 'intellectual virtues… is intensely practical, not theoretical.' Biblical wisdom has a divine origin and 'takes insights gleaned from the knowledge of God's ways and applies them in the daily walk.'* Wisdom apart from the knowledge of God is mere human or pagan wisdom, devoid of divine insight and revelation (cf., Romans 1:20-21; 1 Corinthians 1:18—2:16; James 3:13-17). True wisdom of divine quality is rooted in the knowledge of God and in His standards and ways. This is not to despise human or pagan wisdom, for there is value in what humanity has accumulated in terms of knowledge. There is utility in what scientists have discovered and philosophers have written. God as Creator has given them the capacity to do so. Yet the divine quality of wisdom is found only in Yahweh and His Word. His Law makes one wise, notably in terms of the fundamental issues of life and in view of salvation and eternal life (see 1 Timothy 1:5-11). Knowledge and wisdom are not only an issue of scientific knowledge, but of morality and justice. Some of the greatest minds and most powerful rulers were/are corrupt and brought/bring great harm to others. Knowledge apart from moral values can be dangerous for its potential to be misused. True wisdom is expressed in justice and the well-being for others. Biblical wisdom is taught with godly values, for knowledge without them, as C.S. Lewis has observed, makes people only better devils (i.e., using knowledge to do evil for one's own gain, rather than using it to make life better for everyone).
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* New Bible Dictionary (Third Edition), I. Howard Marshall et al (eds.), 'Wisdom,' 1244
I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate.
Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, power is mine.
By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all who judge rightly.
Proverbs 8:12-16
Not only does the Book of Proverbs, the accumulation of wisdom, speak of the importance of the fear of Yahweh as the sources of wisdom, a verse in the Book of Psalms also emphasises this truth. As in Proverbs, the emphasis is on godly morality found in His commandments. True wisdom is expressed in moral virtue as opposed to pride, arrogance and the evil ways.
Psalm 111:10 NKJV
‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
a good understanding have all those who do His commandments.’
God's 'commandments and wisdom are linked' (see Deuteronomy 4:5-6).** Good understanding comes from obeying (living according to) God's commandments. The fear of God as the starting point of gaining divine wisdom is related to knowing and obeying God's commandments, that is, living according to His word and will. Placing oneself in reverence and humility before God, acknowledging His existence as Life-giver and His authority as Law-giver, forms the foundation for understanding true wisdom and divine knowledge. Contempt for God and His word is foolishly rejecting what is good for us. Wisdom is found in God's 'law of light' (Proverbs 6:23).
The whole purpose of Proverbs is to instruct us in God's word and its wisdom (Proverbs 1:1-7). The fear of the LORD is the reverence for God as Creator, Lord, Law-giver and Judge. Yet He instructs us as a loving Father, not a merciless tyrant. In fact, His mercy is for those who fear Him (Psalm 103:11, 17). We acknowledge His authority and place ourselves in humility before Him to learn His ways because we know they are good for us. The fear of the LORD is to depart from evil (Proverbs 16:6b; cf., Job 28:28) and hate all evil, pride and arrogance (Proverbs 8:13). Pride leads to a downfall; wisdom is in humility before God (Proverbs 16:18; 18:12). The fear of God is not to be afraid of God, but to revere and respect Him as God, Life-giver and Law-giver (cf., Exodus 20:20). We should respect God as the One who has power over life and death, but trust Him that we are valuable and precious to Him (Matthew 10:28-33). Living in reverence and humility before God is the right way to receive instruction in wisdom (Proverbs 15:33). This is a fountain of life (14:26-27).
The fear of God keeps us humble before God and accountable to God and, therefore, on the right path in life. As moral beings we best live in accountability before a moral God who gave us a moral Law. God knows what is best for us. The conclusion by the wise Preacher was to 'fear God and keep His commandments,' as we will be held accountable for our lives and choices (see Ecclesiastes 11:13-14). Moral accountability and a healthy fear of bad consequences from wrong decisions are no bad things. The way we must be accountable to the laws of the land we live in, we must be accountable to the laws of the Creator. We should, however, do the right thing for the right reasons with the right motives.
The Law of God is perfect and makes the simple wise, and warns us regarding the wrong ways in life. In keeping His word there is great reward (Psalm 19:7-11; cf., Proverbs 7). We should not be wise in our own eyes (Isaiah 5:21), in a human wisdom apart from God, for there is moral distortion in that (v 20). We should rather trust Him in all things and follow His ways (Proverbs 3:5-7). Broad is the way to destruction, narrow the path to life (Matthew 7:13-14). Wisdom for and stability in life are in obeying God's Word (7:24-27). We should trust God in meekness and do good as He has instructed us (Psalm 37). We should walk humbly before our God and love and do what is morally right (Micah 6:8).
Conclusion
The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom because it places us in reverence before Him as God, Life-giver and Law-giver. An attitude of humility and teachability is the foundation that we can be instructed in divine wisdom, so that we can live a life pleasing to God and a life worthy of living. The fear of LORD will keep us in the ways of God, which are the paths of life and light, lived according to the 'law of light.' Blessed are all those who live this way!
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New Bible Dictionary (Third Edition), I. Howard Marshall et al (eds.), 'Wisdom,' 1245