Proverbs 22:4

Proverbs 22:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.
• New International Version (NIV)Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
• New King James Version (NKJV)By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.

Context of Proverbs 22:4

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]. The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord Is riches, honor, and life. 5Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate [for their lack of honor and their wrong-doing traps them]; He who guards himself [with godly wisdom] will be far from them and avoid the consequences they suffer. 6Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:4 word by word

עֵ֣קֶב עֲ֭נָוָה יִרְאַ֣ת יְהוָ֑ה עֹ֖שֶׁר וְכָב֣וֹד וְחַיִּֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Byעֵ֫קֶב‛êqeb · consequenceH6118
• humilityעֲנָוָה‛ănâvâh · humilityH6038
• the fearיִרְאָהyir'âh · fearH3374
• of the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• richesעֹ֫שֶׁר‛ôsher · richesH6239
• and honourכָּבוֹדkâbôd kâbôd · gloryH3519
• and lifeחַיִּיםchay · lifeH2416

Cross-references for Proverbs 22:4

• Proverbs 3:16Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
• Proverbs 21:21He who earnestly seeks righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
• Psalms 34:9O [reverently] fear the Lord, you His saints (believers, holy ones); For to those who fear Him there is no want.
• Psalms 112:1Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who fears the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with obedience], Who delights greatly in His commandments.
• Isaiah 33:6And He will be the security and stability of your times, A treasure of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is your treasure.
• Isaiah 57:15For the high and exalted One He who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy says this, “I dwell on the high and holy place, But also with the contrite and humble in spirit In order to revive the spirit of the humble And to revive the heart of the contrite [overcome with sorrow for sin].
• Matthew 6:33But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
• 1 Timothy 4:8For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.
• James 4:6But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].”

Commentaries on Proverbs 22:4

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Better, (compare the margin) The reward of humility (is) the fear of the Lord, “riches, and honor, and life.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4Verse 4 Where the fear of God is, there will be humility. And much is to be enjoyed by it; spiritual riches, and eternal life at last.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4Fear of the LORD (see Proverbs 1:7; 9:10) is closely linked with humility. A humble person understands he is not the center of the universe. Humility is more valuable than wealth (Proverbs 16:19; see also 11:2; 15:33; 18:12).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. humility and the fear of the Lord--are in apposition; one produces the other. On the results, compare Pr 3:16; 8:18.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 22:4

• Fear of God
• Humility

In the dictionaries

• Evil
• Hide
• Lender
• Prudent
• Rob
• Train
• Humility
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Sirach, the Alphabet of

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