Proverbs 15:33

The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Cross-references

Proverbs 29:23 contrasts pride bringing low with lowliness obtaining honor, directly reinforcing the humility-before-honor theme.

Proverbs 25:7 continues the thought: better to be invited up than demoted, illustrating the principle of humility leading to honor.

Proverbs 18:12 states 'before honor is humility,' mirroring the second half of Proverbs 15:33 exactly.

Proverbs 1:7 introduces the fear of the LORD as the beginning of knowledge—the same foundational truth that humility precedes wisdom.

Proverbs 8:13 Related theme

Proverbs 8:13 adds that fear of the LORD means hating evil and pride—deepening the link between humility and wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2 echoes the same contrast: pride leads to disgrace, humility brings wisdom and honor.

1 Peter 5:5 Allusion

1 Peter 5:5 exhorts humility toward one another, quoting Proverbs 3:34 but sharing the theme of humility receiving grace/honor.

James 4:10 Parallel

James 4:10 commands humility before the Lord for exaltation, directly echoing the promise of honor after humility.

Philippians 2:5-11 models Christ's humility leading to exaltation, exemplifying the pattern of humility before honor.

Luke 14:11 Parallel

Luke 14:11 gives Jesus' teaching that the humble will be exalted, a NT application of the same principle.

Psalm 111:10 declares the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, paralleling the same foundational link between fear and wisdom.

Psalm 34:11 Parallel

Psalm 34:11 echoes the invitation to learn the fear of the Lord, directly connecting to the 'instruction in wisdom' aspect of Proverbs 15:33.

Job 28:28 Parallel

Job 28:28 explicitly equates fear of the Lord with wisdom and turning from evil—a direct echo of the same principle.

Psalm 25:12 Parallel

In Psalm 25:12, the same link between fearing the LORD and receiving instruction is made: God teaches those who fear Him.

In Matthew 23:12, Jesus teaches the same truth: those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Luke 18:14 Parallel

In Luke 18:14, Jesus directly applies this principle: the humble are exalted, echoing 'humility comes before honor.'

In Philippians 2:8, Christ embodies this humility—obedient to death—leading to His exaltation (v.9), fulfilling the wisdom principle.

James 4:6 Allusion

In James 4:6, the same contrast of pride and humility appears: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

In 1 Samuel 25:41, Abigail's willingness to be a servant exemplifies the humility that precedes her honor as David's wife.

In 1 Samuel 18:18, David's humble question ('Who am I?') reflects the humility that precedes his future honor as king.

Ruth 2:13 Parallel

In Ruth 2:13, Ruth's expression of unworthiness ('not one of your maidservants') shows humility before receiving favor.

Ruth 2:7 Parallel

In Ruth 2:7, Ruth's humble request to glean exemplifies the humility that precedes honor.