A Verse Mapping Bible Study on Proverbs
For a review of the format for our Bible study, check out this post!
Week 3: Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Scripture Memory
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7
T f o t L I t b o k: b f d w a i. Proverbs 1:7
Bible Context
Who?
King Solomon
When?
Early in his reign, after 970 B.C.
Why?
To apply God’s wisdom to daily life.
For whom?
Israelites (The Jewish People).
Word Studies
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Fear | יִרְאָה
yir'â
Pronunciation: yir-aw'
Definition:
- Fear, terror, fearing
- Fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety
- revered
Beginning | רֵאשִׁית
rē'šîṯ
Pronunciation: ray-sheeth'
Definition:
- first, beginning, best, chief
- choice part
Also translated:
- firstfruits 11x
- first 9x
- chief 8x
Knowledge | דַּעַת
daʿaṯ
Pronunciation: dah'-ath
Definition:
- knowledge, perception, skill
- discernment, understanding, wisdom
Also translated:
Fools | אֱוִיל
'ĕvîl
Pronunciation: ev-eel'
Definition:
- foolish
- of one who despises wisdom
- of one who is quarrelsome
- of one who mocks when guilty
Also translated:
Wisdom | חָכְמָה
ḥāḵmâ
Pronunciation: khok-maw'
Definition:
- Wisdom, skill
- Prudence
- Shrewdness
Also translated:
Instruction | מוּסָר
mûsār
Pronunciation: moo-sawr'
Definition:
- Discipline, correction
- Chastening
Also translated:
- Correction 8x
- Chasten 4x
- Chastisement 3x
Paraphrase
The [respect, reverence] of the LORD is the [first, choice part] of [discernment, understanding]: but [those who are quarrelsome] despise [skill, prudence] and [discipline, chastening].
Bible Cross References
Job 28:28
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Reflections
About God
There is no wisdom without reverence for God. It is the beginning (so, the first), but also the preeminent part of gaining wisdom – revering God.
About Self
If I want to pursue wisdom, I must first pursue God – but then also must not resist God’s correction in my life when I’m wrong. I pursue God and show my reverence for him by studying and understanding His word and following His commandments.
Questions to Ask Myself
- Am I seeking to fear and revere God over everything else in my life? This looks like studying to understand the Bible and following the commandments of God.
- In what areas of my life am I resisting the correction and chastening of God? This is the opposite of wisdom.
