2:5 fear of the LORD. This phrase, “the fear of the LORD,” occurs fourteen times in Proverbs (1:7, 29; 2:5; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 14:26,27; 15:16,33; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4; 23:17). The concept of “fear,” of course, implies reverence, such as a good son would feel toward his godly father. When necessary, of course, God—just as would an earthly father—may chastise His disobedient sons.