SUMMARY
A proper relationship with God is the first and most essential element of wisdom.
ANALYSIS
Proverbs 1:7 is the last verse of the introduction, and is, in many ways, the central verse of the entire book. The phrase, “Fear of the Lord” is found 14 times throughout the book (2×7, a doubly important number) and is intimately linked to WisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, "The fear of the.... (See 1:7, 29; 2:5; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:26-27; 15:16, 33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4, and 23:17.) The underlying sense of “fear” is not “to be afraid of” but to honor or respect. Here is a reminder that the most important feature in the pursuit of all learning is acknowledging and honoring God, the creator of all. “Fear of the LORD” stands as an assertion that there is no true wisdom apart from God and faith. (See Fear of the Lord in Theological Themes.)
