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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7The 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 9BSB references Proverbs 10:1Classic cross-references 1 Chronicles 22:9Classic cross-references 1 Chronicles 28:5Classic cross-references Proverbs 25:1Classic cross-references Ecclesiastes 1:1Classic cross-references

Original words

[These are] the proverbsמִ֭שְׁלֵיH4912Noun - masculine plural constructof Solomonשְׁלֹמֹ֣הH8010Noun - proper - masculine singularsonבֶן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Davidדָּוִ֑דH1732Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶ֝֗לֶךְH4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃H3478Noun - proper - masculine singular

Verse 2

Cross-references

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

Original words

for gainingלָדַ֣עַתH3045Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructwisdomחָכְמָ֣הH2451Noun - feminine singularand disciplineוּמוּסָ֑רH4148Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singularfor comprehendingלְ֝הָבִ֗יןH995Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive constructwordsאִמְרֵ֥יH561Noun - masculine plural constructof insightבִינָֽה׃H998Noun - feminine singular

Verse 3

Cross-references

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

Original words

[and] for receivingלָ֭קַחַתH3947Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructinstructionמוּסַ֣רH4148Noun - masculine singular constructin wise livingהַשְׂכֵּ֑לH7919Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absoluteand in righteousnessצֶ֥דֶקH6664Noun - masculine singularjusticeוּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗טH4941Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singularand equityוּמֵישָׁרִֽים׃H4339Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural

Verse 4

Cross-references

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

Original words

To impartלָתֵ֣תH5414Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructprudenceעָרְמָ֑הH6195Noun - feminine singularto the simpleלִפְתָאיִ֣םH6612Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural[and] knowledgeדַּ֣עַתH1847Noun - feminine singularand discretionוּמְזִמָּֽה׃H4209Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singularto the youngלְ֝נַ֗עַרH5288Preposition-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 12:1Classic cross-references Proverbs 9:9Classic cross-references 1 Corinthians 10:15Classic cross-references Acts 17:11Classic cross-references Job 34:10Classic cross-references

Original words

{let} the wiseחָ֭כָםH2450Adjective - masculine singularlistenיִשְׁמַ֣עH8085Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularand gainוְי֣וֹסֶףH3254Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singularinstructionלֶ֑קַחH3948Noun - masculine singularand the discerningוְ֝נָב֗וֹןH995Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singularacquireיִקְנֶֽה׃H7069Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularwise counselתַּחְבֻּל֥וֹתH8458Noun - feminine plural

Verse 6

Cross-references

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

Original words

by understandingלְהָבִ֣יןH995Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive constructthe proverbsמָ֭שָׁלH4912Noun - masculine singularand parablesוּמְלִיצָ֑הH4426Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singularthe sayingsדִּבְרֵ֥יH1697Noun - masculine plural constructand riddlesוְחִידֹתָֽם׃H2420Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine pluralof the wiseחֲ֝כָמִ֗יםH2450Adjective - masculine plural

Verse 7

Cross-references

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

Original words

The fearיִרְאַ֣תH3374Noun - feminine singular constructof the LORDיְ֭הוָהH3068Noun - proper - masculine singular[is] the beginningרֵאשִׁ֣יתH7225Noun - feminine singular constructof knowledgeדָּ֑עַתH1847Noun - feminine singular[but] foolsאֱוִילִ֥יםH191Noun - masculine pluraldespiseבָּֽזוּ׃פH936Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralwisdomחָכְמָ֥הH2451Noun - feminine singularand disciplineוּ֝מוּסָ֗רH4148Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular

BSB notes

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

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