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Proverbs 15:33

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 15:33 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honor [goeth] humility.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honor [goeth] humility.
Proverbs 15:33 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; [And] good tidings make the bones fat.
31The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise.
32He that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul; But he that hearkeneth to reproof getteth understanding.
33The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honor [goeth] humility.
← Proverbs 15:32Proverbs 16:1 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The fear of the Lord [is] the instruction of wisdom, etc.] It is “the beginning of wisdom”, (<200910>Proverbs 9:10); it leads unto it, instructs a man in it; by means of it he attains to true spiritual and evangelical wisdom; it teaches him to abstain from sin, and to serve the Lord; and to seek the salvation of his soul in the way God has appointed, which is by his Son Jesus Christ, which to do is the highest wisdom; and before honour [is] humility; the fear of God and humility go together, where the one is the other is; and as the one is the way to wisdom, the other is the way to glory; Christ’s humiliation was before his exaltation; men are first humbled and laid low in their own eyes,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The fear . . . wisdom--Wisdom instructs in true piety. before . . . humility--(compare Luk 24:26; Pe1 1:11); opposite (compare Pro 16:18). Next: Proverbs Chapter 16”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The instruction of wisdom - i. e., The discipline that leads to wisdom. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Proverbs 15". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/proverbs-15.html. 1870. StudyLight.org &copy;&#160;2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The instruction - Doth instruct men in true wisdom. Next: Proverbs Chapter 16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:33 Fear of the Lord fosters humility because proper regard for God counteracts our delusions of self-sufficiency.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“fear: Pro 1:7, Pro 8:13; Job 28:28; Psa 34:11, Psa 111:10 and: Pro 18:12, Pro 25:6, Pro 25:7, Pro 29:23; Luk 14:11; Phi 2:5-11; Jam 4:10; Pe1 5:5 Next: Proverbs Chapter 16”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“33 The fear of Jahve is a discipline to wisdom, And before honour is humility. We may regard 'יראת ה (the fear of Jahve) also as pred. here. The fear of Jahve is an educational maxim, and the end of education of the Chokma; but the phrase may also be the subject, and by such a rendering Luther's parallelism lies nearer: "The fear of the Lord is discipline to wisdom;" the fear of God, viz., continually exercised and tried, is the right school of wisdom, and humility is the right way to honour. Similar is the connection מוּסר השׂכּל, discipline binds understanding to itself as its consequence, Pro 1:3. Line second repeats itself, Pro 18:12, "Pride comes before the fall." Luther's "And ere one…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification