1:7

Notice the parallelism. The individual parts of 1:7a do not contrast with the parallel parts of 1:7b. Instead, the overall meaning of the second line contrasts with the meaning of the first line.

7a The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

7b but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

This contrast expresses an important principle in the book of Proverbs. See the General Comment following 1:7b for different ways to translate this verse.

1:7a

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: The main idea of this clause is restated in slightly different words in 9:10a and 15:33a. In each of these three verses, the parallel line expresses a different idea.

The fear of the LORD: The Hebrew word translated as fear indicates both real fear and reverential awe. It also involves submitting to the LORD and obeying him. Most English versions translate only one aspect of the meaning. For example:

reverence for the Lord (Good News Translation)
-or-
The fear of the Lord (Revised Standard Version)

The Contemporary English Version has two aspects:

Respect and obey the LORD! (Contemporary English Version)

If possible, you should choose a word or words that express at least two aspects of the meaning, for example, “fear and reverence” or “reverence and obedience.” (Compare 1:29a–b and 9:10a.)

is the beginning of knowledge: In this context, the word beginning indicates the prerequisite, foundation/basis, or first step to attaining knowledge.

knowledge: The word knowledge (Hebrew: daʿat) has the broadest meaning of the words that are associated with wisdom. It can refer to knowing information, but usually it also refers to knowing how to live successfully. When knowledge is used in this sense, it has a very similar meaning to wisdom. (Compare 1:7 with 9:10.)

1:7b

but fools despise wisdom and discipline: The word order in Hebrew puts emphasis on the word fools. Some ways to express this emphasis in English are:

Only fools despise wisdom and discipline. (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice. (Contemporary English Version)

fools: The word “fool” (Hebrew ʾewil) refers to someone who is a moral fool, not someone who is mentally stupid or uneducated. A moral fool is someone who cannot or will not do what is right or avoid what is wrong. He does stupid and wrong things because of his evil character. In some verses the word is also used to describe a person who is insolent or stubborn, refusing to accept advice or correction. Other ways to translate this word are:

Stubborn fools (God’s Word)
-or-
⌊insolent⌋ fools

despise wisdom and discipline: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as despise means to reject or consider to be worthless. For discipline, see the note on 1:2a. Another way to translate the phrase despise wisdom and discipline is:

have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 1:7a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to use one or more “if” clauses to translate this verse. For example:

7a
If a person fears and respects the LORD, he will begin to have knowledge,

7b but if he thinks that wisdom has no value and he refuses to learn, that kind of person is truly foolish.

The Berean Standard Bible uses the plural word “fools.” The above example uses third person singular (“a person…he”). In some languages, it is more natural to express a general principle like this with the second person pronoun “you” (singular or plural). For example:

7a Have respect/reverence for the LORD and obey him. Then you will begin to have knowledge.

7b If you reject/despise the advice of a wise person you are a fool.

Use a natural way in your language to translate this important principle.

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