proverbs-1:7,-proverbs-9:8-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 1:7-9

Solomon, having undertaken to teach a young man knowledge and discretion, here lays down two general rules to be observed in order thereunto, and those are, to fear God and honour his parents, which two fundamental laws of morality Pythagoras begins his golden verses with, but the former of them in a wretchedly corrupted state. Primum, deos immortales cole, parentesque honora?First worship the immortal gods, and honour your parents. To make young people such as they should be, I. Let them have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge ,.... Here properly the book begins, and this is the first of the proverbs, and an excellent one; it is such an one as is not to be found in all the writings of the Heathens. By "the fear of the Lord" is not meant a servile fear, a fear of punishment, of hell, wrath, and damnation, which is the effect of the first work of the law upon the conscience; but a filial fear, and supposes knowledge of God as a father, of his love and grace in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord - In the preceding verses Solomon shows the advantage of acting according to the dictates of wisdom; in the following verses he shows the danger of acting contrary to them. The fear of the Lord signifies that religious reverence which every intelligent being owes to his Creator; and is often used to express the whole of religion, as we have frequently had occasion to remark in different places. But what is religion? The love of God, and the love of man; the former... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. This proposition is by some commentators regarded as the motto, symbol, or device of the book (Delitzsch, Umbreit, Zockler, Plumptre). Others, following the Masoretic arrangement of the Hebrew text, consider it as forming part of the superscription (Ewald, Bertheau, Elster, Keil). As a general proposition expressing the essence of the philosophy of the Israelites, and from its relation to the rest of the contents of this book, it seems... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:7

The relation of religion to knowledge "The fear of the Lord" being the most common Old Testament name for religion, we must take it here in its large and general sense, and understand that religion in all its relations is set forth as the true basis of knowledge; though it may welt be that awe and reverence for the majesty and mystery of God have a special prominence in regard to the pursuit of truth. I. RELIGION IS AN IMPORTANT REQUISITE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF ALL ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:7

Religion the true beginning This is the motto of the book. It is often found ( Proverbs 9:10 ; Sirach 1:16, 25, 26; Psalms 111:10 ). The Arabs have adopted it at the head of their proverbial collections. I. THE OLD TESTAMENT DESIGNATION OF RELIGION . It is the fear of Jehovah. That is reverence for him who is One, who is eternal, incomparable with any of the gods of the heathen, the Deliverer of Israel in the past and ever, the All-holy, just and merciful One. Such... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:7

The foundation truth These words invite our attention to— I. THAT WHICH CONSTITUTES THE FEAR OF GOD . "The fear of the Lord" was the chief note of Hebrew piety. It expressed itself in that form (see Genesis 42:18 ; Exodus 18:21 ; Le Exodus 19:14 ; Nehemiah 5:15 ; Psalms 66:16 ; Ecclesiastes 12:13 , etc.). What did it signify? Evidently something more and other than mere dread. The piety of the Jews was an immeasurably higher thing than the abject terror with... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:7

The beginning of wisdom is found in the temper of reverence and awe. The fear of the finite in the presence of the Infinite, of the sinful in the presence of the Holy (compare Job 42:5-6), this for the Israelite was the starting-point of all true wisdom. In the Book of Job 28:28 it appears as an oracle accompanied by the noblest poetry. In Psalms 111:10 it comes as the choral close of a temple hymn. Here it is the watchword of a true ethical education. This fear has no torment, and is... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 1:7. The fear of the Lord That is, reverence for and obedience to God; is the beginning of knowledge The foundation and source of it; without which all other knowledge is vain and useless. Mark well this sentence, reader: all wisdom, which is not founded in religion, in the true and genuine fear of God, is empty and unprofitable, and will be found such in the time of affliction, in the hour of death, and at the day of judgment. But fools Wicked men, or men devoid of true... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:1-7

1:1-9:18 THE VALUE OF WISDOMPurpose of the book (1:1-7)The instruction given in the book of Proverbs aims at producing wisdom. This wisdom involves not only growth in knowledge, but also the ability to use that knowledge in discerning what is right and true, then acting accordingly. It calls for training and discipline. The result will be purity in personal behaviour and justice in dealings with others (1:1-3).Although this wisdom is available to the young and immature, even the wise and... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 1:7-9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 1:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 1:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 1:7

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 1:7

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 1:1-7

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