# Proverbs 1.7 **Book:** [Proverbs](/codex/proverbs/) · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT ## Immediate context (±2 verses) **ASV** ([ASV](/codex/asv/)) > 5. That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels: 6. To understand a proverb, and a figure, The words of the wise, and their dark sayings. > > **7. The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; But the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.** > > 8. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother: 9. For they shall be a chaplet of grace unto thy head, And chains about thy neck. (Proverbs 1:5-9, ASV) **WEB** ([WEB](/codex/web/)) > 5. that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel: 6. to understand a proverb, and parables, the words and riddles of the wise. > > **7. The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.** > > 8. My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching: 9. for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck. (Proverbs 1:5-9, WEB) **KJV** ([KJV](/codex/kjv/)) > 5. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6. To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. the interpretation: or, an eloquent speech > > **7. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. the beginning: or, the principal part** > > 8. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9. For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. an: Heb. an adding (Proverbs 1:5-9, KJV) **YLT** ([YLT](/codex/ylt/)) > 5. (The wise doth hear and increaseth learning, And the intelligent doth obtain counsels.) 6. For understanding a proverb and its sweetness, Words of the wise and their acute sayings. > > **7. Fear of Jehovah [is] a beginning of knowledge, Wisdom and instruction fools have despised!** > > 8. Hear, my son, the instruction of thy father, And leave not the law of thy mother, 9. For a graceful wreath [are] they to thy head, And chains to thy neck. (Proverbs 1:5-9, YLT) ## Setting - **Speaker:** Solomon (principal); Agur; Lemuel; wise men - **Audience:** young Israelite men in the wisdom tradition - **Location:** Israel, Solomonic court - **Time period:** principal composition c. 970-930 BC (Solomon); compilation c. 700 BC (Hezekiah) ## Theological reading ## Key words - [H3068 - YHWH](/codex/h3068-yhwh/), *YHWH* (Strong's H3068). Also appears in: [Genesis 2.4](/codex/genesis-2-4/), [Genesis 2.7](/codex/genesis-2-7/), [Genesis 2.16-17](/codex/genesis-2-16-17/). - [H7225 - reshit](/codex/h7225-reshit/), *reshit* (Strong's H7225). Also appears in: [Genesis 1.1](/codex/genesis-1-1/), [Deuteronomy 21](/codex/deuteronomy-21/), [1 Samuel 15](/codex/1-samuel-15/). ## Why these four translations ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the **most literal English translations available** (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the **public domain in the United States**, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance. The four: - **[ASV](/codex/asv/)** (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition. - **[WEB](/codex/web/)** (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English. - **[KJV](/codex/kjv/)** (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base. - **[YLT](/codex/ylt/)** (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff. See [Bibles](/codex/bibles/) for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses. ## Quoted in **Arguments and defeaters:** - [Fitness Beats Truth Argument](/codex/fitness-beats-truth-argument/) - [Hand of God Argument](/codex/hand-of-god-argument/) - [Kantian Critique of Natural Theology Defeater](/codex/kantian-critique-of-natural-theology-defeater/) - [Performative Self-Refutation of Atheist Denial](/codex/performative-self-refutation-of-atheist-denial/) - [Stealing from God Argument](/codex/stealing-from-god-argument/) - [Transcendental Argument for God](/codex/transcendental-argument-for-god/) - [Tree of Knowledge Objection Defeater](/codex/tree-of-knowledge-objection-defeater/) **Concepts:** - [Atheism](/codex/atheism/) - [Endogenous Retroviruses](/codex/endogenous-retroviruses/) - [Tree of Knowledge Objection](/codex/tree-of-knowledge-objection/) **People:** - [Solomon](/codex/solomon/) **Lexicon:** - [H3045 - yada](/codex/h3045-yada/) - [H7225 - reshit](/codex/h7225-reshit/) **Passages:** - [Deuteronomy 21](/codex/deuteronomy-21/)