For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

PROVERBS 1:29KJV
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Proverbs 1:29 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 1:29 mean?

Proverbs 1:29 says that people are facing consequences because they rejected wisdom and deliberately refused to respect and honor God. The verse points out that their troubles come from a choice: they did not want to learn or to live with a sense of reverence toward the LORD.

In the book of Proverbs, these words are spoken as part of a warning from Wisdom, personified as a woman calling out to people in the streets. The situation is that Wisdom has offered guidance, but many have ignored her and chosen their own way instead. The verse emphasizes that turning away from knowledge and the "fear of the LORD"—which means a deep respect and awe for God—leads to negative outcomes.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 1:29

  • "hated" (שָׂנֵא, śānēʾ): This word means more than just a mild dislike; it often carries the sense of strong rejection or hostility. Here, it shows a willful turning away from knowledge, not just indifference.
  • "knowledge" (דַּעַת, daʿat): This refers to understanding, insight, or wisdom—especially the kind that helps a person live rightly. The verse highlights that people are not just uninformed, but have actively rejected this kind of understanding.
  • "choose" (בָּחַר, bāḥar): This word stresses a deliberate decision. The people did not accidentally miss out on wisdom; they made a conscious choice not to embrace the fear of the LORD.
  • "fear" (יִרְאָה, yirʾāh): In Proverbs, this word means a deep respect, awe, or reverence for God, not just being afraid. It is considered the foundation of true wisdom.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, reminding the reader that the respect being rejected is directed toward the God of Israel.

Why Proverbs 1:29 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the problem is not ignorance, but a willful rejection of wisdom and reverence for God; this helps explain why consequences follow.
  • By connecting "knowledge" and "fear of the LORD," Proverbs 1:29 shows that true understanding and a right relationship with God go hand in hand in biblical wisdom.
  • This verse fits into the larger warning in Proverbs 1, where Wisdom explains why she will not answer when those who ignored her finally call for help—making the stakes of rejecting wisdom clear.

Where else these words appear

“fear” Hebrew H3374 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 20:11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.
  • Psalms 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
  • Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

“knowledge” Hebrew H1847 · used in 91 verses

  • Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
  • Proverbs 2:10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
  • Proverbs 24:5 A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

“hated” Hebrew H8130 · used in 139 verses

  • Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
  • Esther 9:1 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them,(though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
  • Proverbs 1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?