What Does It Mean to Fear the Lord?
What Does It Mean to Fear the Lord? The fear of the Lord is reverent awe and deep respect for God's holiness, power, and authority — it is the beginning of wisdom and the foundation of a righteous life.
Key verse: Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)
The fear of the Lord is reverent awe and deep respect for God's holiness, power, and authority — it is the beginning of wisdom and the foundation of a righteous life.
The fear of the Lord is reverent awe and deep respect for God's holiness, power, and authority — it is the beginning of wisdom and the foundation of a righteous life.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." — Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
Proverbs 9:10 declares, 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.' This fear is not terror but profound reverence. It recognizes who God is — infinitely holy, all-powerful, and perfectly just. 'The fear of the LORD is to hate evil' (Proverbs 8:13). It produces obedience: 'Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man' (Ecclesiastes 12:13). It brings blessing: 'In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge' (Proverbs 14:26). 'The fear of the LORD tendeth to life' (Proverbs 19:23). The early church 'walked in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost' (Acts 9:31) — showing that fear and comfort coexist. Moses told Israel, 'God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not' (Exodus 20:20). The fear of the Lord is not incompatible with love — it is love's proper response to encountering the Almighty.
Topic Overview
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What the Bible teaches about honesty, moral character, and living with integrity before God and others.
Key Scripture References
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."
"Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
"In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Does the Bible Say About Wisdom?
Biblical wisdom is the practical application of God's truth to daily life, beginning with reverence for God and found primarily through Scripture and the Holy Spirit.
What Does the Bible Say About Holiness?
God is holy and calls His people to be holy — set apart from sin and consecrated to His purposes.
What Does the Bible Say About Obedience to God?
Obedience is the primary evidence of genuine faith and love for God, demonstrated by keeping His commandments.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible defines love not as a feeling but as a sacrificial choice — modeled perfectly by God's gift of His Son.
How Do You Forgive Others According to the Bible?
Biblical forgiveness means releasing bitterness and choosing not to hold someone's offense against them — just as God in Christ forgave us.
Deep Dive Commentary
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Proverbs. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Proverbs on day 159 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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