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.

KJV (with Strong's)

A good {H2896} man leaveth an inheritance {H5157} to his children's {H1121} children {H1121}: and the wealth {H2428} of the sinner {H2398} is laid up {H6845} for the just {H6662}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous.

Berean Standard Bible

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.

American Standard Version

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children; And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 13:22 encapsulates profound wisdom regarding the enduring impact of righteous living and the ultimate disposition of ill-gotten gain. It posits that a person of integrity and moral uprightness establishes a legacy that extends far beyond their immediate offspring, benefiting even their grandchildren through sustained blessing and provision. Conversely, the verse declares that wealth amassed through unrighteous means by the wicked is not ultimately for their lasting benefit but is providentially preserved and designated by God for the righteous, highlighting His sovereign justice and the ultimate futility of sin-stained prosperity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 13 is a collection of antithetical proverbs, frequently contrasting the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked, and their respective outcomes. This chapter emphasizes the practical consequences of moral choices in daily life, covering themes such as speech, diligence, discipline, and the nature of wealth. Proverbs 13:22 fits seamlessly within this literary framework, serving as a powerful antithetical statement that juxtaposes the lasting, multi-generational blessing of the righteous with the ephemeral, divinely reallocated wealth of the wicked. It reinforces the broader message of the book that true wisdom leads to life and prosperity (in the biblical sense), while folly leads to ruin. The verse's placement contributes to a cumulative argument about the ultimate triumph of righteousness and divine justice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concept of "inheritance" (Hebrew: _nachalah_) was deeply tied to land, family lineage, and covenant promises. The land was a gift from God, intended to be passed down through generations, ensuring family stability and identity. To "leave an inheritance" was therefore a fundamental act of responsible stewardship and a sign of a thriving, blessed family line. The idea of "children's children" underscores a long-term, generational perspective crucial in a society where family continuity was paramount. Furthermore, the accumulation of wealth was viewed through a moral lens; wealth gained through oppression or injustice was condemned, while prosperity as a result of diligent and righteous living was seen as a divine blessing. The verse reflects a worldview where God is actively involved in human affairs, overseeing justice and ensuring that ultimate outcomes align with His righteous character, even if immediate circumstances suggest otherwise.
* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 13:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Proverbs and biblical theology. The verse highlights **Generational Legacy**, emphasizing that the impact of a righteous life extends beyond one's own lifespan, creating a foundation of blessing and stability for future generations, echoing promises found in passages like [Psalm 37:26](/psalm/37-26 "Psalm 37:26 - The Righteous and Their Descendants"). It also powerfully articulates the theme of **Divine Justice and Sovereignty**, asserting God's ultimate control over all resources and His commitment to rectifying imbalances. The "wealth of the sinner" being "laid up for the just" is a recurring motif in wisdom literature, illustrating that God's providence ensures that ill-gotten gains will not ultimately benefit the wicked but will be redistributed according to His righteous purposes, as seen in [Ecclesiastes 2:26](/ecclesiastes/2-26 "Ecclesiastes 2:26 - God's Distribution of Wealth"). Finally, it underscores the importance of **Righteous Stewardship**, encouraging individuals to live with foresight and integrity, understanding that true security and lasting prosperity are rooted in alignment with God's will rather than the accumulation of material possessions by any means.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** This word signifies more than mere benevolence; it denotes moral uprightness, integrity, and alignment with God's will. A "good man" is one who is righteous, pleasing to God, and whose character is marked by virtue. This goodness is foundational to the ability to leave a lasting, positive inheritance.
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _nâchal'_):** While often referring to physical property or land, _nâchal_ broadly encompasses anything passed down through descent. In this context, it includes not only material assets but also a spiritual heritage, a good name, moral values, and the cumulative blessings that accrue from a life lived in accordance with divine wisdom. It speaks to the enduring legacy a righteous person establishes.
* **Laid up (Hebrew, _tsâphan'_):** This verb implies something reserved, hidden, or stored away for a specific purpose and future time. When applied to the wealth of the sinner, it suggests a divine act of reservation and a future transfer that is part of God's sovereign plan. It emphasizes that this wealth is not truly secure or permanent in the hands of the wicked but is held in divine escrow for the just.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's children:"** This clause highlights the long-term, multi-generational impact of a righteous life. A "good man" (one who lives in integrity and wisdom before God) acts with foresight, not merely for his immediate family but for future generations. The "inheritance" is comprehensive, encompassing not just financial assets but also a legacy of moral values, spiritual instruction, a good reputation, and the blessings that flow from a life lived in accordance with God's principles. This foresight and faithfulness secure blessings that extend to grandchildren and beyond, ensuring continuity and prosperity for the family line.
* **"and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just."** This second clause presents a stark contrast and reveals God's providential justice. The "wealth of the sinner," often accumulated through unjust means, exploitation, or greed, is not destined to remain with them permanently. Instead, it is "laid up" or reserved by divine decree for the righteous. This signifies God's ultimate sovereignty over all resources and His commitment to ensuring that justice prevails. While the wicked may prosper temporarily, their gains are ultimately insecure and will, in God's perfect timing, be transferred to those who are righteous, providing comfort and assurance to the faithful amidst apparent injustices.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 13:22 primarily employs **Antithetical Parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew wisdom literature. This device is evident in the direct contrast between the "good man" and the "sinner," and their respective outcomes concerning wealth and legacy. The first half of the verse describes the positive, enduring legacy of the righteous, while the second half describes the negative, ultimately futile outcome for the wicked. This juxtaposition serves to underscore the moral and spiritual implications of one's choices. Additionally, the phrase "children's children" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, stressing the expansive and long-lasting nature of the righteous man's influence and blessing. The concept of wealth being "laid up" for the just also carries strong **Theological Symbolism**, representing God's active **Providence** and **Sovereignty** over human affairs and material possessions, reinforcing the idea that ultimate justice will prevail.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 13:22 profoundly articulates God's providential justice and the enduring nature of righteousness. It teaches that true prosperity is not merely the accumulation of wealth, but the establishment of a legacy rooted in moral integrity and faithfulness to God. The verse assures believers that even when the wicked seem to flourish, their gains are temporary and ultimately under divine control. God, in His perfect timing, will ensure that resources are ultimately directed to those who honor Him, providing comfort and vindication for the righteous. This principle encourages a long-term perspective on life and wealth, prioritizing spiritual and moral capital over fleeting material possessions gained through ungodly means.

* [Job 27:16-17](/job/27-16 "Job 27:16-17 - The Wicked's Wealth for the Righteous")
* [Psalm 112:1-3](/psalm/112-1 "Psalm 112:1-3 - Blessings on the Righteous Man's Descendants")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Laying Up Treasures in Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 13:22 calls us to a profound re-evaluation of our priorities and our understanding of true wealth and legacy. It challenges us to consider not merely what we accumulate for ourselves, but what we are building and leaving for those who come after us—not just our immediate children, but their children too. This "inheritance" is far more than financial; it encompasses the moral framework, spiritual values, and a good name that can profoundly shape future generations. Are we living in a way that cultivates such a rich, enduring legacy, or are we consumed by fleeting gains? Furthermore, the verse offers immense comfort and a call to trust in God's ultimate justice. In a world where the wicked often appear to prosper, it reminds us that God is sovereign over all wealth. We are encouraged to live righteously, trusting that God will ultimately vindicate the just and reallocate resources according to His perfect will. This should motivate us to ethical financial practices, generous stewardship, and a steadfast faith in God's unwavering righteousness, rather than succumbing to the temptation of quick, ungodly gain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What kind of "inheritance"—beyond material possessions—am I actively building for my children's children?**
* **How does the promise that "the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just" shape my perspective on temporary injustices or the prosperity of the ungodly?**
* **In what ways can I demonstrate better stewardship of my resources, both material and spiritual, with a multi-generational perspective?**
* **How does this proverb challenge my definition of "success" or "prosperity"?**

### FAQ
**Does "inheritance" in this verse refer only to money or property?**

Answer: While the Hebrew word for "inheritance" (_nachalah_) often refers to physical property or land, especially in the context of the Promised Land, in Proverbs 13:22, it carries a broader meaning. It encompasses not only financial or material assets but also a spiritual and moral legacy. This includes a good name, a reputation for integrity, wise counsel, a foundation of faith, and the cumulative blessings that flow from a life lived in accordance with God's wisdom. The "good man" leaves behind a holistic inheritance that benefits future generations in every aspect of their lives, providing stability, guidance, and blessing.

**How does "the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just" work in practice? Does God literally transfer money?**

Answer: This phrase speaks to God's ultimate sovereignty and providential justice. It doesn't necessarily imply a direct, literal transfer of cash, though that can happen. More broadly, it means that wealth accumulated through unrighteous means by the wicked is insecure and will not ultimately serve their lasting benefit or the benefit of their descendants. God, in His perfect timing and through various means (e.g., economic downturns, legal judgments, the natural consequences of sin, or even the righteous inheriting from the wicked), ensures that such wealth eventually finds its way to those who are just. This principle is a declaration of divine control over all resources and an assurance that God will rectify injustices, ensuring that the righteous are ultimately provided for and vindicated, as seen in [Job 20:18-20](/job/20-18 "Job 20:18-20 - The Wicked's Gains Are Not Lasting").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 13:22, while rooted in Old Testament wisdom, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "good man" who leaves an enduring inheritance is supremely exemplified in Christ, who, though rich, for our sakes became poor that we through His poverty might become rich ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Sacrifice")). The inheritance He leaves is not merely material but eternal and spiritual: salvation, righteousness, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and a place in God's eternal kingdom ([Ephesians 1:11-14](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11-14 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). This inheritance is passed down not just to "children's children" by physical descent, but to all who are adopted into God's family through faith in Christ, becoming co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). Furthermore, the second clause—"the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just"—finds its most dramatic fulfillment in Christ's victory over sin and death. All the power and dominion that Satan, the ultimate sinner, wielded over humanity and the world, was ultimately stripped from him and "laid up" for Christ and His redeemed people. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The spiritual riches and authority that were once held captive by the enemy are now, through Christ, available to the "just"—those declared righteous by faith in Him. Thus, Christ is the ultimate "good man" who secures an eternal inheritance for His spiritual descendants, and through His triumph, He reclaims all that was unjustly held by the kingdom of darkness, laying it up for His saints.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ecclesiastes 2:26

For [God] giveth to a man that [is] good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to [him that is] good before God. This also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

Job 27:16

Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;

Job 27:17

He may prepare [it], but the just shall put [it] on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.

Proverbs 28:8

¶ He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

Psalms 37:25

I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Psalms 112:2

His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

Genesis 17:7

¶ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.