- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
- I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
The first proverb was spoken by Solomon (1:1 ff.) and the second by Agur to Ithiel and Ucal (Prov. 30:1).
These two references to the knowledge of the holy appear in a book dealing with practical matters. Note in 1:7 and 9:10 that one's conduct is determined by one's estimation of God. The fear of God is fundamental to spiritual knowledge and wisdom (cf. Job 28:28) which affect one's entire life. So holiness is directly related to practical matters, since it influences them and is manifest in them.
Note also the difference between the two men who mention the knowledge of the holy. One is the great King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived next to Jesus Christ (1 Kings 4:31). The other is an obscure figure named Agur the son of Jakeh (Prov. 30:1), who prophesies the material in Prov. 30 to two other obscure men, and is never mentioned again in scripture. Here is a comforting truth: not only can the great and the wise have the knowledge of the holy, but also the mean and obscure. It depends on your heart condition before God. Note Agur's humility in vv. 2-3. He actually disclaims the knowledge that he manifestly has, as shown by his magnificent prophecy. People who have the knowledge of the holy don't claim to have it. Solomon didn't either. He merely describes what it is in Prov. 9:10. His heart condition, at this point in his life, might be illustrated by 1 Kings 3:7-9, "...I am but a little child...I know not...Give...thy servant an understanding heart..." Very similar to Agur's.
So the knowledge of the holy is hid from the proud and those who do not fear God, but generously shared with the humble believer who trembles before God, regardless of his station in life. Glory to God!
