Proverbs 20:7 kjv
The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
Proverbs 20:7 nkjv
The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
Proverbs 20:7 niv
The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.
Proverbs 20:7 esv
The righteous who walks in his integrity ? blessed are his children after him!
Proverbs 20:7 nlt
The godly walk with integrity;
blessed are their children who follow them.
Proverbs 20 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 37:25-26 | I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken... his seed is blessed. | The righteous's descendants are not forsaken. |
| Psa 112:1-2 | Blessed is the man who fears the Lord... His offspring will be mighty in the land. | Fearing God brings blessings to progeny. |
| Prov 13:22 | A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children... | Righteousness leaves an enduring legacy. |
| Prov 14:26 | In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. | Fear of the Lord provides refuge for children. |
| Prov 20:28 | Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by righteousness he upholds his throne. | Integrity brings stability and lasting rule. |
| Deut 5:9-10 | ...I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers... but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me... | God shows generational favor for obedience. |
| Exo 20:5-6 | ...showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. | Divine mercy extends through generations. |
| Deut 6:6-7 | And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children... | Parental duty to teach and transmit faith. |
| Psa 78:4-7 | We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord... | Importance of transmitting God's works to next generation. |
| Isa 14:20-21 | ...the offspring of evildoers will never be named... Prepare slaughter for his sons because of the guilt of their fathers... | Contrast: Wickedness brings judgment on progeny. |
| Lam 5:7 | Our fathers sinned, and are no more; and we bear their iniquities. | Consequence of ancestral sin borne by descendants. |
| Gen 12:2-3 | ...I will bless you and make your name great... in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. | Abraham's righteous walk brought blessing to all nations. |
| Eph 6:4 | Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. | Parents instruct children in the Lord. |
| Col 3:20-21 | Children, obey your parents... Fathers, do not exasperate your children... | Instruction for godly family relationships. |
| Prov 10:7 | The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. | Righteousness leaves a blessed memory. |
| Prov 22:6 | Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. | Godly training yields lasting positive effect. |
| Psa 103:17-18 | But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children... | God's steadfast love and righteousness for future generations. |
| Rom 15:2 | Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. | Living righteously builds up others. |
| Gal 3:29 | And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. | Spiritual inheritance through faith in Christ. |
| 1 Pet 3:12 | For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer... | God's favorable attention on the righteous. |
| Heb 11:4 | By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice... and through it he still speaks, though he died. | Righteous acts leave an enduring testimony. |
| 1 Ki 3:14 | If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments... then I will lengthen your days. | Obedience brings prolonged life and blessing. |
| Isa 58:11-12 | And the Lord will guide you continually... Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations. | Righteousness leads to rebuilding and multi-generational impact. |
| Titus 2:7-8 | Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works... | Living a life of good example. |
Proverbs 20 verses
Proverbs 20 7 Meaning
The verse conveys that a person whose life is characterized by integrity and righteous conduct, aligning with divine standards, establishes a spiritual and moral legacy. This consistent uprightness not only blesses their own life but also extends divine favor and beneficial circumstances to their descendants. The "blessing" upon the children signifies the positive effects, a good reputation, and potential for well-being that accrue to them due to the parent's godly walk.
Proverbs 20 7 Context
Proverbs 20 is part of the "Sayings of Solomon," focusing on practical wisdom for daily life and interactions within society and family. It covers a range of topics from warning against wine to the importance of honest weights, diligence, and seeking wise counsel. Verse 7 specifically addresses the foundational role of personal character, integrity, within the family unit and its intergenerational impact. In ancient Israelite culture, lineage, reputation, and the well-being of descendants were paramount, often reflecting on the standing of the ancestors. The emphasis here is on the ethical behavior of the parent establishing a favorable legacy that benefits subsequent generations, connecting personal piety with familial blessing.
Proverbs 20 7 Word analysis
- The just man (Hebrew: ’iš ṣaddîq – אִישׁ צַדִּיק): ’iš means "man," and ṣaddîq means "righteous," "just," "innocent," or "pious." It describes someone who acts according to what is right and equitable, in alignment with God’s revealed standards. This term implies more than outward compliance; it speaks of inner character and moral integrity before God.
- walks (Hebrew: holek – הוֹלֵךְ): This is a present participle, indicating a continuous, ongoing action or a lifestyle. It's not about a single act of righteousness but a consistent, habitual way of life. The "walk" (halakhah) signifies one's moral conduct, how one lives daily.
- in his integrity (Hebrew: bĕthummō – בְּתֻמּוֹ): From the root tummah (תֻּמָּה) or tom (תֹּם), meaning "completeness," "innocence," "blamelessness," or "sincerity." It denotes wholehearted devotion and freedom from duplicity, an absence of hidden motives or pretense. It contrasts sharply with hypocrisy and moral compromise.
- his children (Hebrew: banaiv – בָּנָיו): Refers to his sons, but in a broader sense, it includes his entire offspring, descendants, and future generations.
- are blessed (Hebrew: me’ushsharim – מְאֻשָּׁרִים): This is a passive participle, meaning "to be declared happy," "prospered," or "favored." The blessing is conferred upon them, typically by God. It denotes well-being, success, divine favor, and a fortunate state.
- after him (Hebrew: ’aharav – אַחֲרָיו): Literally "after him," signifying not only a temporal sequence but also a causal relationship. The blessing follows as a consequence of the father’s integrity, extending beyond his immediate life to affect future generations.
- "The just man walks in his integrity": This phrase emphasizes that righteousness is not a superficial trait but a deep-seated character. "Walks" denotes a consistent lifestyle, a persistent journey of faith and obedience. "Integrity" specifies the quality of this walk – it is complete, undivided, sincere, and free from corruption. This speaks to the internal truthfulness and coherence of a person's life that stands as an example.
- "his children are blessed after him": This phrase highlights the intergenerational transfer of blessing. It implies a legacy that extends beyond material inheritance to encompass spiritual favor, good reputation, a foundation of instruction, and an environment of peace and favor for the next generation. The blessing is a direct result and extension of the righteous parent's life.
Proverbs 20 7 Bonus section
The concept of "integrity" (tummah) is central to the Old Testament ideal of a blameless person before God, exemplified by Noah (Gen 6:9) and Job (Job 1:1, 2:3). This implies a singular, unwavering devotion to the Lord, contrasted with double-mindedness. The blessing received by the children is not an automatic or magical transmission of faith or salvation, but rather the providential goodness and favor of God operating in their lives, often through the established patterns of piety, prayer, and wise instruction of their parent. It emphasizes that a parent's most enduring inheritance for their children is not what they accumulate, but who they are in God. The verse serves as both an encouragement for godly living and a powerful motivator for parents to consider the long-term, multi-generational impact of their daily choices on their family's spiritual trajectory.
Proverbs 20 7 Commentary
Proverbs 20:7 powerfully articulates a principle of divine order: the righteous life of a parent creates a legacy of blessing for their children. It underscores that true prosperity extends beyond material wealth to encompass the spiritual and moral well-being of future generations. A "just man" is one who consistently lives in integrity, whose internal character aligns with their external actions according to God's standards. This steadfast commitment to righteousness sets a profound example and lays a spiritual foundation. The "blessing" upon the children is multi-faceted: it can involve God's favor and protection, a good name and reputation within the community, the transmission of godly values and instruction, and an environment where faith can flourish. While salvation is an individual choice and not inherited, the godly lifestyle of parents creates conditions conducive for their children to encounter and embrace faith, providing them with a strong spiritual heritage and a moral compass that can guide them throughout their lives, even long "after him."