Proverbs 13:22 kjv

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Proverbs 13:22 nkjv

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

Proverbs 13:22 niv

A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

Proverbs 13:22 esv

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.

Proverbs 13:22 nlt

Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,
but the sinner's wealth passes to the godly.

Proverbs 13 verses

Proverbs 13 22 Meaning

Proverbs 13:22 articulates a divinely established principle concerning wealth, legacy, and the contrasting outcomes of righteous and wicked living. It conveys that a righteous person, through diligence and godly living, secures a heritage not just for their immediate offspring but extends it through generations, embodying foresight and blessing. Conversely, the wealth accumulated by a sinner, often through ill-gotten means or ungodly pursuits, is transient in their hands and is ultimately preserved and redirected by God to benefit the righteous. This verse highlights divine justice, demonstrating God's sovereignty over earthly resources and His eventual redistribution according to His moral order.

Proverbs 13 22 Context

Proverbs chapter 13 is part of the collection of Solomonic proverbs, characterized by short, insightful statements often using antithetical parallelism to contrast the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked. Throughout this chapter, wisdom is linked with diligence, obedience, truthfulness, and life, leading to stability, prosperity, and respect. Folly, in contrast, is associated with idleness, pride, deceit, and evil, leading to poverty, ruin, and shame. Verse 22 sits within this framework, providing a specific illustration of the enduring, multi-generational benefit of righteous living versus the ephemeral nature of ill-gotten or ungodly wealth. It speaks to divine recompense, asserting that ultimately, God oversees the redistribution of earthly possessions to align with His moral justice, a recurring theme in wisdom literature.

Proverbs 13 22 Word analysis

• A good person: טוֹב (Tov). More than just "nice," it signifies moral uprightness, benefit, and divine approval. It is someone whose character is pleasing to God and whose actions align with His will. This "goodness" is the source of the lasting inheritance.
• leaves an inheritance: יַנְחִיל יְרֻשָּׁה (yanḥil yerushah). יַנְחִיל (yanḥil) is from the root נָחַל (nachal), meaning "to inherit," but here in the causative form, "to cause to inherit," "to bequeath," or "to enable to possess." יְרֻשָּׁה (yerushah) means "inheritance," "possession." This phrase emphasizes intentional, purposeful transmission, not just accidental acquisition.
• for their children’s children: בְּנֵי בָנִים (bnei vanim). Literally "sons of sons," referring to grandchildren or, more broadly, subsequent generations, descendants. This highlights the long-term, multi-generational scope of the inheritance, implying not just material wealth but also a spiritual legacy, character, reputation, and foundational training in wisdom and righteousness.
• but a sinner’s: וְחֹטֵא (vechote'). חֹטֵא (chote') is someone who "misses the mark," deviates from God's way, commits sin, is wicked. The conjunction וְ (ve) serves as an antithetical "but," setting up a clear contrast.
• wealth: חַיִל (chayil). This term has a broad semantic range including strength, ability, valor, and often "substance" or "wealth." It refers to the material resources, riches, or accumulated possessions.
• is stored up: צָפוּן (tsapun). A passive participle of צָפַן (tsaphan), meaning "to hide," "to lay up," "to reserve," "to conceal." It suggests something set aside, preserved, often with the connotation of being for a future, appointed purpose, under divine superintendence. It is not currently possessed or enjoyed by the sinner in a lasting way.
• for the righteous: לַצַּדִּיק (latsaddiq). צַדִּיק (tsaddiq) refers to one who is just, righteous, upright in character and conduct before God and man. This specifies the ultimate beneficiary of the divinely orchestrated redistribution of wealth.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children": This highlights the foresight and multi-generational impact of a life lived in righteousness. It implies a legacy of both material provisions and, crucially, moral and spiritual foundations that bless future kin. This "inheritance" is not merely money but wisdom, faith, and character which enable descendants to thrive.
• "but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous": This presents God's ultimate justice and sovereignty over wealth. The "sinner" might accumulate riches, perhaps through unjust means or with self-serving motives, but these gains are ephemeral and will not ultimately serve the sinner's lasting good or their descendants. Instead, God supernaturally reserves and eventually diverts these resources to benefit those who are righteous, aligning with His moral order for the earth. This reflects God's active involvement in human affairs and His ultimate vindication of the just.

Proverbs 13 22 Bonus section

This proverb highlights the holistic nature of "goodness" and "righteousness" in the biblical worldview. It's not just about what one possesses, but how one lives and the character one cultivates. The legacy mentioned isn't limited to physical assets but encompasses the far more valuable inheritance of spiritual wisdom, a good name, and faithful instruction that genuinely blesses succeeding generations. The term "good person" in this context points to someone who lives in wisdom, fearing God and following His ways (Prov 1:7). The wealth of the sinner, even if acquired legitimately by human law, is seen as tainted in God's eyes if it supports unrighteousness or is accumulated with no regard for divine principles. God's act of "storing up" implies not only preservation but also preparation for a rightful owner at the appointed time, further emphasizing His control over all earthly resources and destinies.

Proverbs 13 22 Commentary

Proverbs 13:22 beautifully encapsulates the theological principle of divine justice within the framework of wisdom literature. It is not a guaranteed promise of material wealth for every individual believer, nor an excuse for passivity, but rather an assertion about the ultimate outworking of God's governance over human affairs and resources.

The first clause, concerning the "good person," emphasizes responsibility and foresight. A truly righteous individual is not short-sighted, consuming all they gain. Instead, their life reflects wisdom and diligence, leading to stable provisions that can be passed down, creating a foundation for their family's well-being for generations. This inheritance extends beyond mere money; it includes a good name, spiritual guidance, godly training, and a heritage of faith, which are arguably more valuable than material possessions. The quality of a person's life and values shape the legacy they leave.

The second clause, "but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous," affirms God's providential control. This doesn't mean that wicked people are immediately stripped of their wealth. Rather, it signifies a long-term principle that wealth accumulated unjustly or apart from God's blessing often proves temporary or ultimately unprofitable for the wicked, eventually serving the purposes of the righteous. History provides many examples, from the Exodus account where the Israelites carried out the wealth of Egypt, to broader instances where corrupt regimes crumble, and their assets are redirected. This concept underscores God's ultimate sovereignty; He owns everything and can reallocate resources as He wills. It encourages believers not to envy the temporary prosperity of the wicked, knowing that their security is an illusion and God is just. This proverb thus serves as both an exhortation for righteous living and a comforting assurance of divine justice.