Proverbs 22:1

Proverbs 22:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
• New International Version (NIV)A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

Context of Proverbs 22:1

A good name [earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity] is more desirable than great riches; And favor is better than silver and gold. 2The rich and poor have a common bond; The Lord is the Maker of them all. 3A prudent and far-sighted person sees the evil [of sin] and hides himself [from it], But the naive continue on and are punished [by suffering the consequences of sin].

Proverbs 22:1 word by word

נִבְחָ֣ר שֵׁ֭ם מֵעֹ֣שֶׁר רָ֑ב מִכֶּ֥סֶף וּ֝מִזָּהָ֗ב חֵ֣ן טֽוֹב׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• nameשֵׁםshêm · nameH8034
• rather to be chosenבָּחַרbâchar · to chooseH977
• than greatרַבrab · manyH7227
• richesעֹ֫שֶׁר‛ôsher · richesH6239
• lovingטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• favourחֵןchên · favorH2580
• rather than silverכֶּ֫סֶףkeseph · silver: moneyH3701
• and goldזָהָבzâhâb · goldH2091

Cross-references for Proverbs 22:1

• Acts 7:10and He rescued him from all his suffering, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made Joseph governor over Egypt and over his entire household.

Commentaries on Proverbs 22:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1A good name - שם shem, a name, put for reputation, credit, fame. Used nearly in the same way that we use it: "He has got a name;" "his name stands high;" for "He is a man of credit and reputation." טבא toba, , hamood, and bonum, are added by the Chaldee, Septuagint, Arabiac, and Vulgate, all signifying good or excellent. Is rather to be chosen than great riches - Because character will support a man in many circumstances; and there are many rich men that…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Omit “good.” The word is an insertion. To the Hebrew, “name” by itself conveyed the idea of good repute, just as “men without a name” (compare Job 30:8 margin) are those sunk in ignominy. The margin gives a preferable rendering of the second clause of this verse.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Verse 1 We should be more careful to do that by which we may get and keep a good name, than to raise or add unto a great estate.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1A wise person will not risk their reputation for money.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-29Pr 22:1-29. 1. A good name--(Job 30:8, Hebrew); "good" is supplied here from Ec 7:1. loving favour--kind regard, that is, of the wise and good.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 22:1

• Character
• Holiness
• Name
• Reputation

In the dictionaries

• Evil
• Hide
• Lender
• Prudent
• Rob
• Train
• Poor
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Silver

Commentaries on Proverbs 22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings