Proverbs / Question
Proverbs 9:10 states that wisdom begins with “the fear of the LORD.” It also links knowledge of the Holy One with understanding. The verse restates Proverbs’ core foundation in a concise motto form.
Proverbs 9:10 states a compact motto about how wisdom starts and how understanding grows. Wisdom does not begin with cleverness or experience but with a reverent stance toward Yahweh that recognizes his authority and weight. Proverbs 9 closes the opening set of speeches that contrast two invitations: Wisdom calls the uncommitted to leave naïveté and live well, while Folly offers a seductive shortcut that ends in ruin.
Proverbs 9:10 presents a compact motto: wisdom has a true starting point, and that starting point is “the fear of Yahweh.” The verse does not treat wisdom as value‑neutral technique. It links wisdom to taking Yahweh with full seriousness—his authority, moral weight, and uniqueness.
A common mistake is to turn the wording into a slogan. The better reading keeps the phrase tied to the passage, the speaker, and the problem the book is addressing.
Start with Proverbs 9:10, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
10The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.