9:10

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

10a
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

10b and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

9:10a

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: This clause is identical to 1:7a except that 1:7a has “knowledge” instead of wisdom. Also, a different but synonymous Hebrew word is used for beginning.

9:10b

and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding: The relationship between knowledge of the Holy One and understanding may be expressed in various ways:

To have understanding, you must know the Holy God. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
If you know the Holy One, you have understanding. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Understanding begins with knowing the Holy One. (New Century Version)
-or-
Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding. (New Living Translation (1996))

Choose a way that clearly and naturally expresses the meaning in your language.

knowledge of the Holy One: This phrase refers to people knowing God, not to what God knows. For the similar phrase “knowledge of God,” see the note on 2:5a–b.

the Holy One: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as the Holy One is plural. Usually it refers to righteous people or to heavenly beings. However, in this verse, it clearly refers to God, because of the parallel with the first line.

In this context, the phrase the Holy One refers to God as a divine being. He is sacred and is essentially different from everything that he has created. He is perfect in every way and is completely pure and sinless. Because of these qualities, he is worthy of awe. In some languages, there may be an idiom to describe this.

Some ways to translate the Holy One in this context are:

the Holy God (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
the one who is totally pure/good
-or-
the one who is worthy of all worship/awe
-or-
the perfect one

General Comment on 9:10a–b

In this verse, the parallel terms “the LORD” and “the Holy One” refer to the same God. In some languages, using these two terms may imply that two different Gods are being referred to. If that is true in your language, there are at least two options:

• Use a word like “him” or “this” in 9:10b that clearly refers back to the LORD in 9:10a. For example:

10b…and if a person knows him, the Holy God, he will have understanding.
-or-
10b…and if a person knows this God, who is perfectly pure, he will have understanding.

• Combine and/or reorder the parallel lines. For example:

If you want to become wise and have the ability to think clearly, you must first know the LORD, the holy God. You must also respect and obey him.

See also 9:10a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.

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