The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
Ver. 10. The fear of the Lord.] See Trapp on " Pro 1:7 " Here it is given as a reason why wise men are the better for sharp and seasonable admonition, because the fear of the Lord is in them. This makes them, when they are reproved of all, "fall upon their faces, worship God, and say, God is in you of a truth." 1Co 14:26 What shall we say unto my lord? What shall we speak? How shall we justify ourselves? "God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants," &c. Gen 44:16
And the knowledge of the holy.] That is, Of the holy God. Holy is here in the plural number, importing the Trinity of Persons, as likewise Joshua 24:19. Howbeit we may well take in here holy angels and saints, whose kingdom is in Daniel said to be the same with the kingdom of God, Daniel 7:22 ; Dan 7:27 and whose knowledge is the right understanding of God's will revealed in his word.