Proverbs 20:21

KJV

¶ An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

KJV (with Strong's)

An inheritance {H5159} may be gotten hastily {H926}{H973} at the beginning {H7223}; but the end {H319} thereof shall not be blessed {H1288}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Possessions acquired quickly at first will not be blessed in the end.

Berean Standard Bible

An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.

American Standard Version

An inheritancemay be gotten hastily at the beginning; But the end thereof shall not be blessed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 20:21 issues a profound caution against the perils of acquiring an inheritance or wealth through impulsive, ill-considered, or overly eager means. While such a rapid gain might initially appear advantageous, the proverb asserts that its ultimate outcome will lack genuine divine favor and lasting well-being. It underscores the foundational biblical principle that true, enduring prosperity is not merely about accumulation, but about the righteous manner of acquisition and the presence of God's holistic blessing, which consistently accompanies diligence, patience, and integrity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 20 is situated within the "Sayings of Solomon," a substantial collection of wisdom literature spanning [Proverbs 10:1-22:16](/proverbs/10-1-22-16 "Proverbs 10:1-22:16 - Sayings of Solomon"). This chapter, characteristic of the book's didactic style, presents a series of independent, often antithetical, wisdom aphorisms that offer practical guidance for navigating life righteously. Proverbs 20:21 specifically addresses themes of wealth, stewardship, and the long-term consequences of one's choices, integrating seamlessly into the book's overarching emphasis on discerning wisdom from folly. It stands in direct alignment with other proverbs that caution against quick riches and advocate for diligent labor, such as [Proverbs 13:11](/proverbs/13-11 "Proverbs 13:11 - Wealth from Vanity vs. Labor") and [Proverbs 28:20](/proverbs/28-20 "Proverbs 28:20 - Dangers of Haste to Be Rich"), reinforcing the consistent message that shortcuts to wealth often lead to ruin.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, an "inheritance" (Hebrew: `nachălâh`) was far more than a mere financial asset; it primarily referred to land, which served as the bedrock of family identity, security, and economic livelihood. The division, transfer, and stewardship of such an inheritance were governed by specific Mosaic laws and deeply ingrained customs, emphasizing careful, orderly succession and the preservation of familial patrimony. The concept of "blessing" (Hebrew: `bârak`) was profoundly embedded in the Israelite worldview, signifying God's active favor, resulting in holistic prosperity, shalom (peace), and flourishing across all facets of life—family, land, and spiritual well-being. To acquire an inheritance "hastily" (Hebrew: `bâhal`) would have stood in stark contrast to the patient, diligent, and often generational process of stewardship and wealth accumulation that was highly esteemed within their agrarian society.

* **Key Themes:** This proverb significantly contributes to several pervasive themes throughout the book of Proverbs. It vividly illustrates the stark contrast between **divine wisdom and human folly**, demonstrating that what may initially appear as a shortcut to prosperity often culminates in long-term detriment and spiritual impoverishment. It powerfully emphasizes the **consequences of impatience** and the inherent dangers of seeking immediate gratification over the enduring, deeper blessing that accompanies righteous living. Furthermore, it underscores the critical distinction between **true blessing and superficial gain**, positing that genuine well-being and lasting prosperity emanate from God's favor, not from mere material accumulation or human ingenuity. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that God's blessing is the ultimate source of all enduring good, as articulated in passages like [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - The Lord Builds the House"), which declares that without the Lord's building, human labor is in vain.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Inheritance (Hebrew, _nachălâh'_):** From H5159, this term properly denotes something inherited, encompassing an heirloom, an estate, a patrimony, or a portion. In ancient Israel, an inheritance, particularly land, was foundational to a family's identity, security, and future, often representing God's provision and faithfulness to His covenant. The proverb's use of this word highlights that even legitimate forms of wealth, if acquired improperly, can become a source of trouble rather than true blessing.
* **Hastily (Hebrew, _bâhal'_):** From H926, this word signifies to tremble inwardly, be alarmed, agitated, or to hasten anxiously. It implies a sense of urgency, impulsiveness, or even a rash, greedy eagerness to acquire without due consideration, proper process, or divine timing. It suggests an acquisition driven by human desire for quick gain, bypassing patient, diligent, or divinely guided means. The underlying agitation points to a lack of peace in the pursuit.
* **Blessed (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** From H1288, this primitive root means to kneel, and by implication, to bless God (as adoration) or man (as a benefit). In this proverb, it is used in the negative ("shall not be blessed"), indicating the absence of divine favor, stability, and lasting well-being. It implies that wealth gained hastily will lack the true spiritual and practical benefits that accompany God's endorsement, often leading to instability, dissatisfaction, moral decay, or even ruin, rather than holistic flourishing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"An inheritance [may be] gotten hastily at the beginning;":** This initial clause describes the immediate acquisition of wealth or property. The adverb "hastily" (Hebrew: `bâhal`) suggests an acquisition driven by impatience, impulsiveness, or an overly aggressive, even greedy, eagerness to gain without the necessary diligence, ethical consideration, or proper timing. It implies a shortcut or an overly zealous pursuit of gain, rather than a patient and righteous process. While the gain might be immediate and seemingly advantageous "at the beginning," the manner of its acquisition is fundamentally problematic and sets the stage for future consequences.
* **"but the end thereof shall not be blessed."**: This subsequent clause presents the inevitable and negative consequence of such hasty acquisition. The "end" (Hebrew: `ʼachărîyth`) refers to the ultimate outcome, the future, or the lasting result of the initial action. The declaration that it "shall not be blessed" (Hebrew: `lōʼ yəbōrāḵ`) signifies a profound absence of divine favor, true prosperity, and lasting well-being. This lack of blessing can manifest in various forms: the wealth might be quickly squandered, lead to family strife, bring dissatisfaction or anxiety, be lost through poor decisions, or fail to provide genuine security and joy. It powerfully demonstrates that superficial gain without God's endorsement ultimately brings no true peace or enduring security.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 20:21 masterfully employs **Antithetical Parallelism**, a hallmark literary device in Hebrew wisdom literature. The first clause describes the hasty acquisition of an inheritance, setting up a contrast with the second clause, which reveals its negative, unblessed outcome. This structure creates a clear moral lesson by juxtaposing cause and effect. The proverb also functions as a concise piece of **Proverbial Wisdom**, offering a timeless, memorable statement that distills complex moral and theological truths into a practical, actionable insight for righteous living. Furthermore, the concept of "blessing" carries significant **Symbolism**, representing not merely material prosperity but also divine favor, holistic peace, and enduring well-being, standing in stark contrast to the superficial and unstable nature of wealth acquired through human impatience or greed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb deeply resonates with the broader biblical teaching on wealth, stewardship, and divine sovereignty. It challenges the inherent human tendency to prioritize immediate gain over righteous process, serving as a potent reminder that true prosperity is not merely measured by material accumulation but by the presence of God's blessing and the integrity of its acquisition. The Scriptures consistently warn against the dangers of greed and the love of money, portraying them as roots of many evils that distract from a life centered on God and His kingdom. It emphasizes that God is the ultimate provider and that His blessing, not human striving or shortcuts, is the singular source of lasting peace and abundance. This profound wisdom encourages believers to cultivate patience, diligence, and unwavering trust in God's timing and methods for provision, rather than succumbing to the allure of quick, unblessed gains.

* [Proverbs 13:11](/proverbs/13-11 "Proverbs 13:11 - Wealth from Vanity vs. Labor")
* [Proverbs 28:20](/proverbs/28-20 "Proverbs 28:20 - Dangers of Haste to Be Rich")
* [1 Timothy 6:9-10](/1_timothy/6-9-10 "1 Timothy 6:9-10 - The Love of Money and Its Dangers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 20:21 serves as a timeless caution in a contemporary world often obsessed with "get-rich-quick" schemes, speculative ventures, and the relentless pursuit of immediate gratification. It compels us to critically examine the source and manner of our gains, whether financial, professional, or even relational. Are we seeking shortcuts that bypass integrity, patience, or ethical considerations? Are we so eager for a swift return that we neglect the foundational principles of diligent labor, wise stewardship, and humble reliance on God's sovereign provision? This proverb calls us to cultivate a profound mindset of contentment and trust, recognizing that true and lasting blessing emanates from God's hand, often through patient, righteous effort, rather than impulsive grabs for gain. It encourages us to prioritize character, integrity, and divine favor over mere material accumulation, understanding that what is genuinely blessed endures, while what is hastily acquired often crumbles into dissatisfaction or ruin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to seek "hasty" gains rather than patiently trusting God's process and timing?**
* **What does "not be blessed" practically look like in contemporary financial, career, or relational contexts?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of contentment and trust in God's provision, rather than succumbing to the pressure for immediate results or superficial success?**
* **How does this proverb influence my approach to inheritances, investments, career opportunities, or even the pursuit of personal goals?**

### FAQ

**Does this proverb mean that all inheritances are problematic, or that quick wealth is inherently evil?**

Answer: No, the proverb does not condemn inheritances or wealth itself. The core issue is not the "inheritance" (Hebrew: `nachălâh`) but rather the manner in which it is "gotten hastily" (Hebrew: `bâhal`). The emphasis is squarely on the *process* and the *spirit* of acquisition. Wealth acquired through impatience, greed, or by bypassing ethical and diligent means is what the proverb warns against. A legitimate inheritance received and stewarded wisely is indeed a blessing; it is the "hasty" or impulsive acquisition, driven by human desire for shortcuts, that leads to an unblessed end. This aligns with other biblical teachings that consistently value diligent labor and wise stewardship, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 10:4](/proverbs/10-4 "Proverbs 10:4 - Diligence Brings Wealth").

**What does it mean for an inheritance to "not be blessed"?**

Answer: To "not be blessed" (from Hebrew: `bârak`) signifies the profound absence of God's favor, true well-being, stability, and lasting peace. It does not necessarily imply a direct curse or immediate financial ruin, but rather a lack of the holistic flourishing and enduring satisfaction that comes from God's endorsement. Practically, this can manifest in various ways: the wealth might be quickly squandered due to poor judgment, lead to bitter family strife, bring deep dissatisfaction or anxiety despite material abundance, be lost through unwise decisions, or fail to provide genuine security and joy. It powerfully suggests that without God's blessing, even great material gain can ultimately become a source of trouble and emptiness rather than true prosperity, as highlighted in [Proverbs 15:27](/proverbs/15-27 "Proverbs 15:27 - Greed Troubles a House").

**How does this proverb apply to modern financial practices like investing or entrepreneurship?**

Answer: This proverb offers crucial and enduring wisdom for modern financial practices. It serves as a potent caution against "get-rich-quick" schemes, overly speculative investments, or business ventures that promise immense returns with minimal effort or without ethical foundations. It strongly encourages patience, thorough due diligence, and unwavering integrity in all financial dealings. While innovation and calculated risk are inherent to entrepreneurship, the proverb warns against a "hasty" spirit driven by unbridled greed or a desire to bypass established principles of honest work and prudent management. It profoundly reminds us that lasting success and true blessing are often built on consistent, diligent effort, ethical practices, and a reliance on divine favor, rather than impulsive or unprincipled shortcuts, echoing the timeless wisdom found in [Proverbs 21:5](/proverbs/21-5 "Proverbs 21:5 - Diligence vs. Haste").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 20:21 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and teachings of Jesus Christ, who consistently reoriented our understanding of true wealth, lasting blessing, and eternal inheritance. While earthly inheritances can indeed be "gotten hastily" and lead to an unblessed end, Christ offers an eternal inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, securely reserved in heaven for all who place their faith in Him ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")). Jesus Himself powerfully warned against the futility of earthly accumulation, posing the penetrating question, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" ([Matthew 16:26](/matthew/16-26 "Matthew 16:26 - The Value of the Soul")). He taught His disciples to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that all necessary temporal things would be added to them ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")). The holistic blessing that an earthly, hastily acquired inheritance inevitably lacks is perfectly embodied in Christ, who is our peace and the inexhaustible source of all true spiritual riches ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). Through His perfect life, atoning sacrifice, and glorious resurrection, we are granted not an inheritance "gotten hastily" by human effort, but one freely given by divine grace, ensuring an end that is eternally blessed, gloriously secure, and infinitely satisfying.

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

Proverbs 13:22

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

1 Timothy 6:9

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Habakkuk 2:6

Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth [that which is] not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!

Proverbs 23:4

¶ Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

Proverbs 28:20

¶ A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

Proverbs 28:8

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

Proverbs 28:22

¶ He that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.