Proverbs 20:21 kjv
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
Proverbs 20:21 nkjv
An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end.
Proverbs 20:21 niv
An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.
Proverbs 20:21 esv
An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.
Proverbs 20:21 nlt
An inheritance obtained too early in life
is not a blessing in the end.
Proverbs 20 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hab 2:6 | "Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion!" | Condemns ill-gotten gains. |
| Jer 17:11 | "Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains wealth by unjust means..." | Wealth from injustice will not last. |
| Prov 13:11 | "Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow." | Contrast between quick vs. steady gain. |
| Prov 21:6 | "A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare." | Dishonest wealth is temporary and dangerous. |
| Prov 28:20 | "A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished." | Patience vs. greed in gaining wealth. |
| Prov 28:22 | "A greedy man hurries for riches, but does not know that poverty will come to him." | Haste motivated by greed leads to ruin. |
| Prov 10:22 | "The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it." | God's blessing is the source of true wealth. |
| Prov 15:27 | "The greedy bring trouble to their families, but those who hate bribes will live." | Greed brings trouble, honesty brings life. |
| Prov 16:8 | "Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice." | Righteousness over unjust wealth. |
| Prov 22:16 | "Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, will only come to poverty." | Gaining wealth unjustly leads to loss. |
| 1 Tim 6:9 | "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap..." | Desire for quick wealth leads to ruin. |
| Matt 6:33 | "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." | Prioritize God; blessings will follow. |
| Psa 37:16 | "Better the little that the righteous have than the great wealth of the wicked." | Godly smallness is better than wicked greatness. |
| Psa 37:22 | "those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off." | Inheritance linked to divine blessing. |
| Job 27:16-17 | "Though he heap up silver like dust... he may heap it up, but the righteous will wear it." | Ill-gotten wealth will be lost or taken. |
| Eccl 5:10 | "Whoever loves money never has enough..." | Dissatisfaction from loving money. |
| Luke 12:15 | "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed..." | Warning against greed. |
| Deut 8:18 | "But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth..." | God as the source of ability to gain wealth. |
| Hag 1:6 | "You have sown much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough..." | Lack of blessing on ungodly endeavors. |
| Isa 55:2 | "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?" | Efforts without divine blessing are futile. |
| Psa 73:18-19 | "Surely you place them on slippery ground... How suddenly are they destroyed!" | Prosperity of the wicked is fleeting. |
| Phil 4:19 | "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." | God provides; patience and trust required. |
Proverbs 20 verses
Proverbs 20 21 Meaning
Proverbs 20:21 conveys a foundational truth that wealth, especially an inheritance, acquired through hasty or improper means will ultimately lack divine blessing and will not endure or bring lasting prosperity. It implies that true and lasting abundance is granted by God, not by human shortcuts or dishonest practices driven by impatience or greed.
Proverbs 20 21 Context
Proverbs 20:21 is a concise ethical proverb within a chapter that provides a series of unconnected but thematically related wise sayings. Chapter 20 covers a variety of topics, including righteous judgment, honesty in commerce, the dangers of surety, and the importance of careful living. This specific verse warns against methods of acquiring an "inheritance" that lack patience, integrity, or justice. In ancient Israel, "inheritance" (נַחֲלָה - nachalah) primarily referred to land, which was a fundamental source of security, identity, and legacy. Hasty acquisition would often imply manipulative, fraudulent, or overly aggressive actions to secure a greater share or prematurely seize control, potentially depriving others or disregarding traditional rights and divine allocation. The proverb therefore stands against a spirit of greed and short-sightedness, reinforcing the value of righteous living and trust in God's providence over immediate, ill-gotten gains. It indirectly polemicizes against the common human tendency to pursue material gain at any cost, rather than adhering to covenantal standards of justice and waiting for God's appointed time and manner of blessing.
Proverbs 20 21 Word analysis
- An inheritance (נַחֲלָה - nachalah): Refers to a legacy, possession, or portion, most often land or property passed down, signifying long-term wealth and familial identity. Its significance extends beyond mere monetary value to encompass generational continuity and divine promise, as the land of Israel was seen as a divine inheritance.
- hastily gotten (מְבֻהֶלֶת - mevuhelet): Derived from the root בהל (bahal), meaning to be hurried, alarmed, or to act rashly. It implies not merely speed but a chaotic, impetuous, or frantic acquisition, often suggesting a lack of proper process, patience, or integrity. This could involve fraud, manipulation, exploitation, or seizing what is not yet fully due or ethically obtained. The term carries a negative connotation of agitated and perhaps unprincipled action.
- will not be blessed (לֹא־תְבֹרָךְ - lo'-tevorakh): Tevorakh comes from the root ברך (barak), meaning "to bless." The negation "lo" indicates an absence of divine favor. This implies that the acquired wealth, though seemingly present, will lack God's sustaining power, favor, and spiritual fruitfulness. It suggests instability, dissatisfaction, loss, or trouble.
- in the end (אַחֲרִיתָהּ - acharitah): Refers to the outcome, future, or latter part. This word highlights the long-term consequences and the ultimate destiny of such ill-gotten gains. It emphasizes that while there might be temporary success, divine disapproval will manifest in lasting futility, often in financial loss, personal suffering, or spiritual barrenness.
Words-group analysis:
- "An inheritance hastily gotten": This phrase precisely identifies the problem: not the inheritance itself, but the manner of its acquisition. "Haste" here implies unethical speed, a scramble for gain driven by covetousness rather than righteous diligence, thus corrupting the very nature of the inheritance.
- "will not be blessed in the end": This declaration links the negative outcome directly to the lack of divine favor. God's blessing is the ultimate guarantor of lasting prosperity and peace. Its absence signals that the wealth, regardless of its size, will prove fleeting, unsatisfying, or even detrimental in the long run.
Proverbs 20 21 Bonus section
The "haste" condemned in this proverb is primarily a matter of character—a lack of trust in God's provision, a yielding to covetousness, and a willingness to compromise integrity for immediate gain. It is not diligence or industriousness, which are elsewhere commended in Proverbs, but rather an impatient, almost predatory, eagerness for acquisition. The proverb touches on the broader biblical theme that true blessing is from the Lord (Prov 10:22) and that efforts undertaken outside of His principles, no matter how materially successful in the short term, are ultimately cursed with futility in the long run. It encourages believers to prioritize righteous living and humble reliance on God over worldly accumulation.
Proverbs 20 21 Commentary
Proverbs 20:21 stands as a powerful warning against the lure of quick, illicit, or ethically questionable financial gain. It asserts that true and lasting wealth is a function of God's blessing, which is withheld from possessions acquired through unrighteous haste. "Hasty" implies more than just speed; it often signifies methods driven by impatience, greed, or a disregard for justice, whether through deceit, exploitation, or premature grasping. Such an inheritance, while it may temporarily fill one's coffers, lacks the divine foundation and spiritual vitality that bring genuine peace and enduring fruit. Ultimately, it will dissipate, be lost, or bring forth curses rather than blessings, confirming the biblical principle that wealth apart from righteousness is empty and destructive. The verse calls for integrity, patience, and reliance on God's timing and provision for all sustenance and legacy.