Proverbs 1:29
in Proverbs 1For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
For that they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of Jehovah,
KJV
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:
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This verse in Proverbs 1
Commentary
10 notes on this verseA commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
Others think that wisdom, as the divine attribute specially employed in acts of counsel and admonition, is here personified, and represents God. In either case the address is a most solemn and divine admonition, whose matter and spirit are eminently evangelical and impressive (see on Pr 8:1).
This site's exposition
Then shall they call upon me
on Proverbs 1:28-33
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer describes a door that does not stay open forever, the same reversal the enticement scene ended on, the seeking that comes too late finds nothing, because it hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord in its season. Eat of the fruit of their own way states the whole chapter's logic in one line, consequence as harvest rather than external punishment, filled with their own devices. The chapter's last word turns from threat to promise, whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil, the offer chapters 8 and 9 will make again at greater length.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church1 voice
Because they hated knowledge, etc. By merit they are deprived of salvation, who not only do not have the beginning of wisdom, the fear of the Lord, and discipline but also pursue them with hatred; but the son of salvation says, I have hated the …
The Puritans and the Awakening4 voices
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — verbatim-scripture
6 ), and therefore she goes on to tell them what will be in the end hereof. (1.) The crime is recited and it is highly provoking. See what it is for which judgment will be given against impenitent sinners in the great day, and you will say they deserve it, and the Lord is righteous in it.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-citation-number+unbalanced-parens
In vain - The fowler who spreads, his net in the sight of the bird looseth his labour. But these, are more foolish than the silly birds, and though they are not ignorant of the mischief which these evil courses will bring upon themselves, yet they will not take warning. Their own blood - The destruction which they design to others, fall upon themselves.
For that they hated knowledge,....
3 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
The threatenings here will have their full accomplishment in the judgment of the great day and the eternal misery of the impenitent, of which yet there are some earnests in present judgments. [1.] Now sinners are in prosperity and secure; they live at ease, and set sorrow at defiance.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
They hated knowledge - This argues the deepest degree of intellectual and moral depravity.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
This is no arbitrary sentence. The fault was all along their own. The fruit of their own ways is death.
The words behind it
8 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| תַּ֭חַת | tachat | because | H8478 → | 505 times |
| כִּי־ | ki- | for | H3588 → | 4482 times |
| שָׂ֣נְאוּ | saneu | they hated | H8130 → | 146 times |
| דָ֑עַת | daat | knowledge | H1847 → | 92 times |
| וְיִרְאַ֥ת | veyirat | and [the] fear of | H3374 → | 45 times |
| יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה | yahweh | Yahweh | H3068 → | 6520 times |
| לֹ֣א | lo' | not | H3808 → | 5168 times |
| בָחָֽרוּ׃ | vacharu | they chose | H977 → | 171 times |
תַּ֭חַתbecause
tachatH8478 →505 times
כִּי־for
ki-H3588 →4482 times
שָׂ֣נְאוּthey hated
saneuH8130 →146 times
דָ֑עַתknowledge
daatH1847 →92 times
וְיִרְאַ֥תand [the] fear of
veyiratH3374 →45 times
יְ֝הֹוָ֗הYahweh
yahwehH3068 →6520 times
לֹ֣אnot
lo'H3808 →5168 times
בָחָֽרוּ׃they chose
vacharuH977 →171 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Proverbs 6:23For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life,
it leads to
- Psalms 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
- 2 Peter 1:19
We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day…
- Psalms 19:8
The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
- Proverbs 15:31
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
- Proverbs 4:13
Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life.
- Psalms 119:105
Through
Hebrews 11:25He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin.
it leads to
- Psalms 84:10
For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
- 2 Timothy 2:3–10
Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- Job 36:21
Be careful not to turn to iniquity, for this you have preferred to affliction.
- Psalms 84:10
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies2
On this verse
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About Proverbs
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on Proverbs; Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.