Proverbs 9:10 - Exposition

Wisdom returns to the first apothegm and principle of the whole book ( Proverbs 1:7 ). Without the fear of God no teaching is of any avail. The knowledge of the holy is understanding. The word translated "the holy" is קְדשִׁים , a plural of excellence (see on Proverbs 30:3 ) like Elohim, and equivalent to "the Most Holy One," Jehovah, to which it answers in the first hemistich. God is called "Holy, holy, holy" ( Isaiah 6:3 ), in his threefold nature, and as majestic beyond expression. The only knowledge worth having, and which is of avail for the practical purposes of life, is the knowledge of God (see on Proverbs 2:5 ). Septuagint, "The counsel of the holy ( ἁγίων ) is understanding," with the explanatory clause; "for to know the Law is the character of good thought." This occurs again at Proverbs 13:15 , though in the Hebrew in neither place.