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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/9-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/20_Pro_09_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 9:10 - The Way of Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/9-10.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/9-10.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 10</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/9-9.htm" title="Proverbs 9:9">◄</a> Proverbs 9:10 <a href="/proverbs/9-11.htm" title="Proverbs 9:11">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD <i>is</i> the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy <i>is</i> understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“The fear of the LORD <i>is</i> the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One <i>is</i> understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The [reverent] fear of the LORD [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning <i>and</i> the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding <i>and</i> spiritual insight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Respect and obey the LORD! This is the beginning of wisdom. To have understanding, you must know the Holy God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />To be wise you must first have reverence for the LORD. If you know the Holy One, you have understanding. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is where wisdom begins, and knowing holiness demonstrates understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The beginning of wisdom is to fear the LORD, and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The commencement of wisdom [is] the fear of YHWH, "" And a knowledge of the Holy Ones [is] understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The commencement of wisdom is the fear of Jehovah, And a knowledge of the Holy Ones is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The beginning of wisdom is the fear of Jehovah, and the knowledge of the holy ones is understanding.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holiness is prudence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The beginning of wisdom is fear of the LORD, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The reverence of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the righteous is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The beginning of wisdom is the awe of LORD JEHOVAH and the knowledge of the Righteous Ones is understanding;<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the All-holy is understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the counsel of saints is understanding: for to know the law is <i>the character</i> of a sound mind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/9-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=1597" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/9.htm">The Way of Wisdom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">9</span>Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3374.htm" title="3374: yir·’aṯ (N-fsc) -- A fear. Feminine of yare'; fear; morally, reverence.">The fear</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/8462.htm" title="8462: tə·ḥil·laṯ (N-fsc) -- A beginning. From chalal in the sense of opening; a commencement; rel. Original.">is the beginning</a> <a href="/hebrew/2451.htm" title="2451: ḥāḵ·māh (N-fs) -- Wisdom. From chakam; wisdom.">of wisdom,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1847.htm" title="1847: wə·ḏa·‘aṯ (Conj-w:: N-fsc) -- Knowledge. From yada'; knowledge.">and knowledge</a> <a href="/hebrew/6918.htm" title="6918: qə·ḏō·šîm (Adj-mp) -- Sacred, holy. Or qadosh; from qadash; sacred; God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary.">of the Holy One</a> <a href="/hebrew/998.htm" title="998: bî·nāh (N-fs) -- An understanding. From biyn; understanding.">is understanding.</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/28-28.htm">Job 28:28</a></span><br />And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/111-10.htm">Psalm 111:10</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/2-5.htm">Proverbs 2:5</a></span><br />then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:13</a></span><br />When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-2.htm">Isaiah 11:2</a></span><br />The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/33-6.htm">Isaiah 33:6</a></span><br />He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-21.htm">Daniel 2:21</a></span><br />He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-9.htm">Micah 6:9</a></span><br />The voice of the LORD calls out to the city (and it is sound wisdom to fear Your name): “Heed the rod and the One who ordained it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a></span><br />At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-77.htm">Luke 1:77</a></span><br />to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-52.htm">Luke 11:52</a></span><br />Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/17-3.htm">John 17:3</a></span><br />Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.</p><p class="hdg">the fear</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a></b></br> The fear of the LORD <i>is</i> the beginning of knowledge: <i>but</i> fools despise wisdom and instruction.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/28-28.htm">Job 28:28</a></b></br> And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that <i>is</i> wisdom; and to depart from evil <i>is</i> understanding.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/111-10.htm">Psalm 111:10</a></b></br> The fear of the LORD <i>is</i> the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do <i>his commandments</i>: his praise endureth for ever.</p><p class="hdg">the knowledge</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/2-5.htm">Proverbs 2:5</a></b></br> Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/30-3.htm">Proverbs 30:3</a></b></br> I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/28-9.htm">1 Chronicles 28:9</a></b></br> And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/8-26.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/ezra/4-6.htm">Commencement</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-13.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-7.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/psalms/150-1.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-6.htm">Insight</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-6.htm">Intelligence</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-9.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-6.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-22.htm">Start</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-6.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-1.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-9.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/daniel/9-23.htm">Commencement</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-24.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-2.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-25.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-8.htm">Insight</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-8.htm">Intelligence</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-20.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-18.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm">Start</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-16.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-12.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-12.htm">Wise</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/9-1.htm">The discipline</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/9-4.htm">and the doctrine of wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/9-13.htm">The custom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/9-16.htm">and error of folly</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the biblical context, "fear" refers to a deep respect and awe for God's power and authority, rather than terror. This concept is rooted in the Hebrew understanding of wisdom, which is not merely intellectual but involves living in accordance with God's will. The idea that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/job/28-28.htm">Job 28:28</a> and <a href="/psalms/111-10.htm">Psalm 111:10</a>, highlighting its centrality in the biblical worldview. Historically, this reverence was integral to the Israelite identity, setting them apart from surrounding nations that worshipped multiple deities. Theologically, this fear is seen as the starting point for a relationship with God, leading to a life of obedience and moral integrity.<p><b>and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding</b><br>This phrase underscores the importance of knowing God personally and intimately as the path to true understanding. The "Holy One" refers to God, emphasizing His purity, separateness, and perfection. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, knowing God was not just about intellectual assent but involved a relational and experiential knowledge. This is reflected in the Hebrew word "yada," which implies a deep, personal acquaintance. The connection between knowing God and understanding is also seen in <a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a>, where a lack of knowledge of God leads to destruction. In the New Testament, this concept is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate revelation of God (<a href="/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18</a>). Through Christ, believers gain access to the fullness of understanding and wisdom, as seen in <a href="/colossians/2-2.htm">Colossians 2:2-3</a>, where all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible, representing His eternal, self-existent nature and His relationship with His people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_holy_one.htm">The Holy One</a></b><br>A title for God, emphasizing His purity, holiness, and separateness from sin and imperfection.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom and his role as the king of Israel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to whom the Proverbs were originally addressed, representing God's chosen people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_literature.htm">Wisdom Literature</a></b><br>A genre of biblical writing that includes Proverbs, focusing on practical and moral teachings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_foundation_of_wisdom.htm">The Foundation of Wisdom</a></b><br>True wisdom begins with a reverent fear of the Lord. This fear is not terror but a profound respect and awe for God's majesty and holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_through_relationship.htm">Understanding Through Relationship</a></b><br>Knowledge of the Holy One implies an intimate relationship with God. Understanding comes from knowing God personally and deeply.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_wisdom.htm">Holiness and Wisdom</a></b><br>The pursuit of holiness is integral to gaining wisdom. As we grow in holiness, we align our lives with God's will, which is the essence of wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_obedience.htm">Practical Obedience</a></b><br>Wisdom is not merely intellectual but practical. It involves living out God's commandments in everyday life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in imparting wisdom and understanding. Believers should seek the Spirit's guidance in their pursuit of wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_higher_iqs_correlate_with_atheism.htm">Are higher IQ individuals less likely to believe in God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_proverbs_9_10_align_with_secular_wisdom.htm">Proverbs 9:10 asserts “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” How does this claim align with secular approaches to wisdom and knowledge that require no fear of a deity? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_wisdom_lead_to_foolishness.htm">How does wisdom lead to foolishness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_gain_wisdom_from_god.htm">How can I gain wisdom and understanding from God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) <span class= "bld">The fear of the Lord </span>. . .--Comp. <a href="/isaiah/11-2.htm" title="And the spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;">Isaiah 11:2</a>, where the "spirit of knowledge" and of the "fear of the Lord" is counted as the gift of God. (For the general sense of the passage, see above, on <a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm" title="The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.">Proverbs 1:7</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Knowledge of the holy--</span><span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, "the Holy One," as in <a href="/proverbs/30-3.htm" title="I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.">Proverbs 30:3</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - Wisdom returns to the first apothegm and principle of the whole book (<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>). Without the fear of God no teaching is of any avail. <span class="cmt_word">The knowledge of the holy is understanding.</span> The word translated "the holy" is <span class="hebrew">קְדשִׁים</span>, a plural of excellence (see on Proverbs 30:3) like <span class="accented">Elohim</span>, and equivalent to "the Most Holy One," Jehovah, to which it answers in the first hemistich. God is called "Holy, holy, holy" (<a href="/isaiah/6-3.htm">Isaiah 6:3</a>), in his threefold nature, and as majestic beyond expression. The only knowledge worth having, and which is of avail for the practical purposes of life, is the knowledge of God (see on Proverbs 2:5). Septuagint, "The counsel of the holy (<span class="greek">ἁγίων</span>) is understanding," with the explanatory clause; "for to know the Law is the character of good thought." This occurs again at <a href="/proverbs/13-15.htm">Proverbs 13:15</a>, though in the Hebrew in neither place. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/9-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The fear</span><br /><span class="heb">יִרְאַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(yir·’aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3374.htm">Strong's 3374: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fear, reverence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> </span><span class="str2">YHWH</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is the beginning</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּחִלַּ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(tə·ḥil·laṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8462.htm">Strong's 8462: </a> </span><span class="str2">A commencement, rel, original</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of wisdom,</span><br /><span class="heb">חָ֭כְמָה</span> <span class="translit">(ḥāḵ·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2451.htm">Strong's 2451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wisdom</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and knowledge</span><br /><span class="heb">וְדַ֖עַת</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḏa·‘aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1847.htm">Strong's 1847: </a> </span><span class="str2">Knowledge</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Holy One</span><br /><span class="heb">קְדֹשִׁ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(qə·ḏō·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6918.htm">Strong's 6918: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sacred, God, an angel, a saint, a sanctuary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is understanding.</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּינָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(bî·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_998.htm">Strong's 998: </a> </span><span class="str2">An understanding</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 9:10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/9-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 9:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 9:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/9-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 9:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 9:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>