Focused Passage

Proverbs 1:1-7

The Beginning of Wisdom: Instruction, Fear of the LORD, and the Refusal of Folly

The chapter moves from purpose, to parental instruction, to public wisdom appeal, showing that wisdom confronts the learner privately, socially, and publicly.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

1 These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,

2 for gaining wisdom and discipline, for comprehending words of insight,

3 and for receiving instruction in wise living and in righteousness, justice, and equity.

4 To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young,

5 let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel

6 by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Cross-references

Proverbs 9 BSB references Proverbs 10:1 Classic cross-references 1 Chronicles 22:9 Classic cross-references 1 Chronicles 28:5 Classic cross-references Proverbs 25:1 Classic cross-references Ecclesiastes 1:1 Classic cross-references

Original words

[These are] the proverbs מִ֭שְׁלֵי H4912 Noun - masculine plural construct of Solomon שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה H8010 Noun - proper - masculine singular son בֶן־ H1121 Noun - masculine singular construct of David דָּוִ֑ד H1732 Noun - proper - masculine singular king מֶ֝֗לֶךְ H4428 Noun - masculine singular construct of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ H3478 Noun - proper - masculine singular

Verse 2

Cross-references

Proverbs 7:4 Classic cross-references Proverbs 8:33 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 4:5 Classic cross-references 1 Kings 3:9 Classic cross-references 2 Timothy 3:15 Classic cross-references

Original words

for gaining לָדַ֣עַת H3045 Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct wisdom חָכְמָ֣ה H2451 Noun - feminine singular and discipline וּמוּסָ֑ר H4148 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular for comprehending לְ֝הָבִ֗ין H995 Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct words אִמְרֵ֥י H561 Noun - masculine plural construct of insight בִינָֽה׃ H998 Noun - feminine singular

Verse 3

Cross-references

Proverbs 2:1 Classic cross-references Job 22:22 Classic cross-references 1 Kings 3:28 Classic cross-references John 17:8 Classic cross-references Proverbs 8:10 Classic cross-references

Original words

[and] for receiving לָ֭קַחַת H3947 Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct instruction מוּסַ֣ר H4148 Noun - masculine singular construct in wise living הַשְׂכֵּ֑ל H7919 Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute and in righteousness צֶ֥דֶק H6664 Noun - masculine singular justice וּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט H4941 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular and equity וּמֵישָׁרִֽים׃ H4339 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural

Verse 4

Cross-references

Psalms 19:7 Classic cross-references Psalms 119:9 Classic cross-references Psalms 119:130 Classic cross-references Proverbs 8:5 Classic cross-references Proverbs 8:12 Classic cross-references

Original words

To impart לָתֵ֣ת H5414 Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct prudence עָרְמָ֑ה H6195 Noun - feminine singular to the simple לִפְתָאיִ֣ם H6612 Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural [and] knowledge דַּ֣עַת H1847 Noun - feminine singular and discretion וּמְזִמָּֽה׃ H4209 Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular to the young לְ֝נַ֗עַר H5288 Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular

BSB notes

The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs refers to one who is naive, without moral direction, or inclined to evil.

Verse 5

Cross-references

Proverbs 12:1 Classic cross-references Proverbs 9:9 Classic cross-references 1 Corinthians 10:15 Classic cross-references Acts 17:11 Classic cross-references Job 34:10 Classic cross-references

Original words

{let} the wise חָ֭כָם H2450 Adjective - masculine singular listen יִשְׁמַ֣ע H8085 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular and gain וְי֣וֹסֶף H3254 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular instruction לֶ֑קַח H3948 Noun - masculine singular and the discerning וְ֝נָב֗וֹן H995 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular acquire יִקְנֶֽה׃ H7069 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular wise counsel תַּחְבֻּל֥וֹת H8458 Noun - feminine plural

Verse 6

Cross-references

Psalms 78:2 Classic cross-references Mark 4:11 Classic cross-references Psalms 49:4 Classic cross-references Acts 8:30 Classic cross-references Hebrews 5:14 Classic cross-references

Original words

by understanding לְהָבִ֣ין H995 Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct the proverbs מָ֭שָׁל H4912 Noun - masculine singular and parables וּמְלִיצָ֑ה H4426 Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular the sayings דִּבְרֵ֥י H1697 Noun - masculine plural construct and riddles וְחִידֹתָֽם׃ H2420 Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural of the wise חֲ֝כָמִ֗ים H2450 Adjective - masculine plural

Verse 7

Cross-references

Job 28:28 Classic cross-references Proverbs 31:30 Classic cross-references Psalms 111:10 Classic cross-references Ecclesiastes 12:13 Classic cross-references Proverbs 9:10 Classic cross-references

Original words

The fear יִרְאַ֣ת H3374 Noun - feminine singular construct of the LORD יְ֭הוָה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular [is] the beginning רֵאשִׁ֣ית H7225 Noun - feminine singular construct of knowledge דָּ֑עַת H1847 Noun - feminine singular [but] fools אֱוִילִ֥ים H191 Noun - masculine plural despise בָּֽזוּ׃פ H936 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural wisdom חָכְמָ֥ה H2451 Noun - feminine singular and discipline וּ֝מוּסָ֗ר H4148 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular

BSB notes

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

Read full chapter context All Proverbs chapters

Proverbs 1 Proverbs 2 ->