Proverbs 18:22
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
מָ֣צָא
Whoso findeth
H4672
מָ֣צָא
Whoso findeth
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
מָ֣צָא
Whoso findeth
H4672
מָ֣צָא
Whoso findeth
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
ט֑וֹב
a good
H2896
ט֑וֹב
a good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
4 of 7
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
Cross References
Proverbs 19:14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.Proverbs 12:4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.Ecclesiastes 9:9Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.1 Corinthians 7:2Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.Genesis 2:18And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.Hosea 12:12And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.Proverbs 3:4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.Proverbs 8:35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.Genesis 24:67And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.Genesis 29:28And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures practiced arranged marriages, with families negotiating matches. Yet even within that system, Proverbs presents marriage as more than social arrangement—it reflects divine providence. The verse assumes the search for a godly spouse, not just any marriage partner. The Proverbs 31 woman exemplifies the excellent wife whose value far exceeds rubies (31:10).
Questions for Reflection
- If married, do you view your spouse as a 'good thing' and gift from God, or have you lost that perspective?
- If unmarried, are you seeking a spouse according to godly wisdom, or following cultural or personal standards disconnected from biblical values?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This proverb celebrates marriage as divine gift: 'Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.' Finding a wife is not merely human achievement but discovery of a 'good thing' (tov) and obtaining Yahweh's favor (ratson). Marriage is presented as blessing from God, not mere social contract or personal choice divorced from divine providence. The language echoes Genesis 2:18 where God declared it 'not good' for man to be alone and provided a helper suitable for him. A godly wife is a gift from the LORD (19:14), and finding such a partner demonstrates God's blessing.