Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
Original Language Analysis
אִ֣ישׁ
man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
1 of 8
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֱ֭מוּנוֹת
A faithful
H530
אֱ֭מוּנוֹת
A faithful
Strong's:
H530
Word #:
2 of 8
literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
רַב
shall abound
H7227
רַב
shall abound
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
3 of 8
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וְאָ֥ץ
but he that maketh haste
H213
וְאָ֥ץ
but he that maketh haste
Strong's:
H213
Word #:
5 of 8
to press; (by implication) to be close, hurry, withdraw
לְ֝הַעֲשִׁ֗יר
to be rich
H6238
לְ֝הַעֲשִׁ֗יר
to be rich
Strong's:
H6238
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich
Cross References
Proverbs 13:11Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.Revelation 2:10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.Proverbs 10:6Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.Proverbs 20:21An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.Proverbs 28:22He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.Psalms 101:6Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.Nehemiah 7:2That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.Revelation 2:13I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.Proverbs 23:4Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.Proverbs 17:5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Historical Context
Ancient commerce offered many temptations to dishonest gain—false weights, deceptive contracts, exploitative lending. Israel's law prohibited such practices (Leviticus 19:35-36, Deuteronomy 25:13-16). The contrast: faithful, patient work brings blessing; greedy haste brings guilt and eventual loss.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas of life are you being faithful rather than seeking quick results?
- What shortcuts to wealth or success tempt you to compromise integrity?
- How does this proverb challenge prosperity gospel teaching that equates faith with rapid financial gain?
Analysis & Commentary
A faithful man shall abound with blessings (אִישׁ אֱמוּנוֹת רַב־בְּרָכוֹת, ish emunot rav-berakhot)—אִישׁ אֱמוּנָה (ish emunah, 'man of faithfulness, trustworthiness, steadfastness') will have רַב (rav, 'many, abundant') בְּרָכָה (berakhah, 'blessings'). אֱמוּנָה shares roots with אָמֵן (amen)—firmness, reliability, faithfulness. Jesus's parable: 'Well done, good and faithful servant... enter thou into the joy of thy lord' (Matthew 25:21).
But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent (וְאָץ לְהַעֲשִׁיר לֹא יִנָּקֶה, ve'atz leha'ashir lo yinnaqqeh)—אוּץ (uts, 'to hasten, hurry, press') toward עָשַׁר (ashar, 'to be rich, wealthy') will not be נָקָה (naqqah, 'innocent, clean, unpunished'). Getting rich quick requires compromises, corner-cutting, exploitation. Proverbs 13:11: 'Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.'