Proverbs 19:14 kjv
House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Proverbs 19:14 nkjv
Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Proverbs 19:14 niv
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Proverbs 19:14 esv
House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Proverbs 19:14 nlt
Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth,
but only the LORD can give an understanding wife.
Proverbs 19 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 18:22 | "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." | Wife as God's favor |
| Prov 12:4 | "An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones." | Contrast: excellent wife as a blessing |
| Prov 31:10 | "An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels." | Valuing the excellent wife |
| Jas 1:17 | "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights..." | God as the ultimate giver of good gifts |
| Mt 7:11 | "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father... give good things" | God's superior gift-giving |
| Prov 2:6 | "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding..." | Wisdom as a divine gift |
| Prov 3:5-6 | "Trust in the Lord with all your heart... he will make straight your paths." | Divine guidance for life decisions |
| Ps 127:1 | "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build labor in vain." | Human effort futile without God's blessing |
| Ps 127:3 | "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord..." | Children also a divine heritage |
| Gen 2:18 | "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.'" | Foundation of marriage, God provides partner |
| Gen 24:12-14 | Abraham's servant prays for divine guidance to find Isaac a wife, and God provides Rebekah. | God's specific provision of a spouse |
| 1 Kgs 3:9 | Solomon asks for a discerning heart to govern God's people. | Wisdom (discerning heart) as a divine request |
| Ecc 9:9 | "Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life..." | Valuing marital companionship |
| Phil 4:19 | "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." | God's comprehensive provision |
| Rom 11:36 | "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." | God's ultimate sovereignty over all things |
| 1 Cor 7:7 | "I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another." | Marriage and singleness as God-given gifts |
| Prov 16:9 | "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." | God's direction over human plans |
| Prov 16:33 | "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." | God's sovereignty even in seemingly random events |
| Dan 2:20-21 | Daniel praises God as the one who "gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding." | God as the source of wisdom and understanding |
| 1 Jn 5:14-15 | Confidence that God hears requests made according to His will. | Prayer for wisdom/good spouse is according to will |
| Ps 37:4 | "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." | God fulfilling desires in alignment with Him |
| Ps 84:11 | "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." | God bestows favor, provides good things |
Proverbs 19 verses
Proverbs 19 14 Meaning
Proverbs 19:14 concisely contrasts the origin of material possessions with the source of a virtuous relationship. It teaches that while "house and wealth" (material and familial inheritance) are typically passed down through human generations from "fathers," a truly "prudent wife"—one characterized by wisdom and discerning understanding—is a unique and precious gift that originates directly "from the Lord." This verse underscores the divine role in providing life's most profound and valuable blessings, which cannot be acquired solely through human effort, social standing, or inherited means.
Proverbs 19 14 Context
Proverbs chapter 19 is part of a larger collection of Solomon's proverbs (Proverbs 10:1-22:16), which offers practical wisdom for living righteously. This chapter presents numerous contrasts: diligence versus laziness (v. 15, 24), rich versus poor (v. 4, 6-7), wise versus foolish (v. 8, 13, 25, 29). It emphasizes the consequences of choices and the importance of righteousness, humility, and seeking wisdom. Within this fabric, verse 14 highlights a specific area of life—marriage—and introduces a distinction between what humans can provide and what only God can bestow. It redirects attention from material security to the invaluable divine blessing of a wise partner, contrasting it with commonplace earthly inheritances, thereby subtly re-prioritizing life's true treasures in the ancient Near Eastern context where material wealth and progeny were highly valued indicators of blessing and status.
Proverbs 19 14 Word analysis
- House (בַּיִת, bayit): Refers not merely to a dwelling place but encompasses the household, family lineage, ancestral stability, and established status. In ancient Israelite society, the "house" represented generational continuity and social identity.
- and wealth (וְהוֹן, vĕhōn): Hon signifies material possessions, fortune, or riches. Together, "house and wealth" represent tangible, transmissible assets and social standing.
- are inherited from (מִנַּחֲלַת, minnachalat): From the root נַחֲלָה (nachalah), meaning "inheritance," "possession," "legacy." It speaks to the human process of bequest and familial succession. These are things naturally passed down through generations.
- fathers (אָבוֹת, abot): Ancestors, parents. This explicitly defines the human, generational origin of these assets, highlighting the predictable earthly chain of transmission.
- but (וְ, ve): This Hebrew conjunction here acts as a strong disjunctive, marking a stark contrast or antithesis between the first clause (human inheritance) and the second (divine provision).
- a prudent (מַשְׂכֶּלֶת, maskelet): A feminine participle from the root שָׂכַל (sakhal), meaning "to be discerning," "to understand," "to be wise," "to prosper through wisdom." This term denotes practical, applied wisdom, shrewdness, intelligent foresight, and successful management. It implies a woman of good judgment, skill, and insight who contributes positively and effectively to the well-being of the home and family. It is more than mere intelligence; it is wisdom put into action.
- wife (אִשָּׁה, ishshah): Woman, specifically in context, a spouse. The quality of being "prudent" is specifically attributed to her character and capability.
- is from the Lord (מֵיְהוָה, mi-Yahweh): Explicitly attributes the ultimate origin of such a wife to God (Yahweh), the sovereign Creator and Provider. This signifies that a prudent wife is a divine favor or blessing, something beyond human procurement, planning, or inheritance.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- House and wealth are inherited from fathers: This phrase speaks to the ordinary course of human affairs. It acknowledges the natural and expected means by which material stability and social status are transferred from one generation to the next. This is within the sphere of human effort, planning, and legal custom. It signifies worldly goods.
- but a prudent wife is from the Lord: This second phrase introduces a profound spiritual dimension. It sharply contrasts the source of material blessings with the source of an incomparably greater, character-based blessing. A "prudent wife" is not acquired through lineage, financial accumulation, or human strategizing but is a direct, providential gift from God, emphasizing His sovereignty over life's deepest relational endowments. This elevates the status of such a wife from a mere partner to a divine bestowal, invaluable and indispensable for true prosperity and blessing.
Proverbs 19 14 Bonus section
- The implicit "polemic" in this verse is against a purely materialistic or humanistic worldview that might assume all good things come through human acquisition, lineage, or social status. It re-directs focus to divine providence as the ultimate source of life's most foundational and relational blessings.
- This proverb invites an attitude of prayer concerning marriage, encouraging individuals to seek God's guidance and provision for a spouse, rather than relying solely on worldly advantages or human schemes. It suggests that a wise spouse is something to be earnestly desired and sought from the hand of God.
- The concept of wisdom in Proverbs is consistently portrayed as both an attribute of God and a gift that He bestows upon those who fear Him and seek Him (Prov 2:6, Prov 8). A "prudent wife" thus embodies this divine wisdom, making her a reflection of God's grace within the home.
- This verse can encourage appreciation for one's spouse if they exhibit the qualities of wisdom and discernment, recognizing their character as a specific and unique blessing from God. It sets a high bar for the value placed on the spiritual and practical virtues of a life partner.
Proverbs 19 14 Commentary
Proverbs 19:14 offers a vital distinction in understanding life's true treasures. While material assets and a good family name are conventionally passed down from parents and are valuable in their own right, the acquisition of a "prudent wife" transcends all human means. This highlights God's ultimate sovereignty not just over creation but over personal destiny and the profound blessings of relational intimacy. The "prudent wife" (מַשְׂכֶּלֶת) is characterized by applied wisdom, discernment, and practical understanding—qualities that nurture and build up a home, making her far more precious than any material inheritance. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that the most significant provisions in life, particularly those pertaining to character and personal relationships, are divine gifts, prompting gratitude and reliance on God rather than solely on human effort or accumulated wealth. It elevates the spiritual dimension of a marriage partnership above the temporal value of earthly possessions.