Pro 9:10 | NETfull | STEP | The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord , and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10

10 The beginning ^{▼▼ The difference between תְּחִלַּת (t^ekhillat) here and רֵאשִׁית (re’shit) of 1:7, if there is any substantial difference, is that this term refers to the starting point of wisdom, and the earlier one indicates the primary place of wisdom (K&D 16:202).} of wisdom is to fear the Lord, ^{▼▼ Heb “fear of the Lord.”}
and acknowledging ^{▼▼ Heb “knowledge of the Holy One” (so ASV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV).} the Holy One ^{▼▼ The word is in the plural in the Hebrew (literally “holy ones”; KJV “the holy”). It was translated “holy men” in Tg. Prov 9:10. But it probably was meant to signify the majestic nature of the Lord. As J. H. Greenstone says, he is “all-holy” (Proverbs, 94). This is an example of the plural of majesty, one of the honorific uses of the plural (see IBHS 122–23 #7.4.3b).} is understanding.