Proverbs 15:33

Proverbs 15:33 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
• New International Version (NIV)Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.

Context of Proverbs 15:33

31The ear that listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure) Will remain among the wise. 32He who neglects and ignores instruction and discipline despises himself, But he who learns from rebuke acquires understanding [and grows in wisdom]. The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the instruction for wisdom [its starting point and its essence]; And before honor comes humility.

Proverbs 15:33 word by word

יִרְאַ֣ת יְ֭הוָה מוּסַ֣ר חָכְמָ֑ה וְלִפְנֵ֖י כָב֣וֹד עֲנָוָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The fearיִרְאָהyir'âh · fearH3374
• of the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• the instructionמוּסָרmûsâr · discipline: instructionH4148
• of wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
• and beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• honourכָּבוֹדkâbôd kâbôd · gloryH3519
• humilityעֲנָוָה‛ănâvâh · humilityH6038

Cross-references for Proverbs 15:33

• Proverbs 1:7The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.
• Proverbs 8:13The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes the hatred of evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate.
• Job 28:28But to man He said, ‘Behold, the reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord—that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”
• Psalms 34:11Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you to fear the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience].
• Psalms 111:10The [reverent] fear of the Lord is the beginning (the prerequisite, the absolute essential, the alphabet) of wisdom; A good understanding and a teachable heart are possessed by all those who do the will of the Lord; His praise endures forever.
• Proverbs 18:12Before disaster the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance, But humility comes before honor.
• Proverbs 25:6Do not be boastfully ambitious and claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men;
• Proverbs 29:23A man’s pride and sense of self-importance will bring him down, But he who has a humble spirit will obtain honor.
• Luke 14:11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled [before others], and he who habitually humbles himself (keeps a realistic self-view) will be exalted.”
• Philippians 2:5Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],
• James 4:10Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].
• 1 Peter 5:5Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for God is opposed to the proud [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], but He gives grace to the humble.

Commentaries on Proverbs 15:33

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 33The fear of the Lord - See note on Proverbs 1:7. Much is spoken concerning this fear; It is the beginning of wisdom. It is also the beginning of knowledge. It is the instruction of wisdom. Wisdom derives its most important lessons from the fear of God. He who fears God much, is well taught. And before honor is humility - That is, few persons ever arrive at honor who are not humble; and those who from low life have risen to places of trust and confidence…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 33The instruction of wisdom - i. e., The discipline that leads to wisdom.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 33Verse 33 The fear of the Lord will dispose us to search the Scriptures with reverence; and it will cause us to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit. While we humbly place all our dependence on the grace of God, we are exalted in the righteousness of Christ.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 33Fearing the Lord encourages humility because respecting God helps us see we are not self-sufficient.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3333. The fear ... wisdom--Wisdom instructs in true piety. before ... humility--(compare Lu 24:26; 1Pe 1:11); opposite (compare Pr 16:18).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 15:33

• Fear of God
• Humility
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Abomination
• Cheerful
• Continual
• Countenance
• Disappoint
• Disperse
• Feast
• Grievous
• Humility
• Poetry

Commentaries on Proverbs 15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings