fear. reverence. This expression occurs fourteen times in Proverbs (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 1:29; Proverbs 2:5; Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 10:27; Proverbs 14:26; Proverbs 14:27; Proverbs 15:16; Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 16:6; Proverbs 19:23; Proverbs 22:4; Proverbs 23:17). See App-75.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
the beginning. And only the "beginning", not the end. It is not "wisdom" itself. True wisdom is to justify God and condemn oneself. See note on Job 28:28, and Compare Proverbs 9:10; Psalms 111:10.
fools. Hebrew. 'evil. In this book three Hebrew words are rendered "fools": (1). evil. lax or careless habit of mind and body. Occurs nineteen times in Proverbs, viz. here, Proverbs 7:22; Proverbs 10:8; Proverbs 10:10; Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 10:21; Proverbs 11:29; Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 12:16; Proverbs 14:3; Proverbs 14:9; Proverbs 15:5; Proverbs 16:22; Proverbs 17:28; Proverbs 20:3; Proverbs 24:7; Proverbs 27:3; Proverbs 27:22; Proverbs 29:9. (2) kesil = fat, and then dense, or stupid, which comes of it, showing itself in impiety. Occurs forty-nine times in Proverbs, viz. verses: Proverbs 1:22; Proverbs 1:32, Pro 1:35. Proverbs 8:5; Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 10:18; Proverbs 10:23; Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 13:16; Proverbs 13:19; Proverbs 13:20; Proverbs 14:7; Proverbs 14:8; Proverbs 14:16; Proverbs 14:24; Proverbs 14:33; Proverbs 15:2; Proverbs 15:7; Proverbs 15:14; Proverbs 15:20; Proverbs 17:10; Proverbs 17:12; Proverbs 17:16; Proverbs 17:21; Proverbs 17:24; Proverbs 17:25; Proverbs 18:2; Proverbs 18:6; Proverbs 18:7; Proverbs 19:1; Proverbs 19:10; Proverbs 19:13; Proverbs 19:29; Proverbs 21:20; Proverbs 23:9; Proverbs 26:1; Proverbs 26:3; Proverbs 26:4; Proverbs 26:5; Proverbs 26:6; Proverbs 26:7; Proverbs 26:8; Proverbs 26:9; Proverbs 26:10; Proverbs 26:11; Proverbs 26:12; Proverbs 28:26; Proverbs 29:11; Proverbs 29:20. and eighteen times in Ecclesiastes. (3) nabal =. vulgar churl. Occurs only three times in Proverbs: viz. Proverbs 17:7; Proverbs 17:21; Proverbs 30:22. not in Ecclesiastes.
despise. have always despised, &c. Illustrations: Cain (Genesis 4:6-8); Hophni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 2:12; 1 Samuel 2:25); Nabal (1 Samuel 25:25); Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:13); Athenians (Acts 17:18; Acts 17:32); Jews and Greeks (1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 1:24).