Proverbs 22:1

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 22:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “A [good] name is rather to be chosen than great riches, [And] loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

A [good] name is rather to be chosen than great riches, [And] loving favor rather than silver and gold.
Proverbs 22:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1A [good] name is rather to be chosen than great riches, [And] loving favor rather than silver and gold.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches, etc.] The word “good” is not in the text, but is rightly supplied, as it is by the Targum, Septuagint, and Vulgate Latin versions; for it is not any name that is more eligible than riches; nor is it a need name among any sort of persons; for to have a good name with some turns to a man’s reproach rather than to his credit; but a good name among good men, a name in the house of God, which is better than sons and daughters; a new name, the name of the children of God, which no man knoweth but he that receiveth it; this is to be preferred to a multitude of riches: it is not to be procured by them, and is where they are not, or are lost,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Pro. 22:1-29) A good name-- (Job 30:8, Hebrew); "good" is supplied here from Ecc 7:1. loving favour--kind regard, that is, of the wise and good.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Omit “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. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Favour - A good report among men, especially good men, and that hearty kindness which attends it. Proverbs 22:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:1 A wise person will never compromise his reputation in pursuit of money.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“name: Kg1 1:47; Ecc 7:1; Luk 10:20; Phi 4:3; Heb 11:39 loving favour rather than: or, favour is better than, etc. Act 7:10 Proverbs 22:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Pro 21:1 1 A good name has the preference above great riches; For more than silver and gold is grace. The proverb is constructed chiastically; the commencing word נבחר (cf. Pro 21:3), and the concluding word טוב, are the parallel predicates; rightly, none of the old translators have been misled to take together חן טוב, after the analogy of שׂכל טוב, Pro 3:14; Pro 13:15. שׁם also does not need טוב for nearer determination; the more modern idiom uses שׁם טוב, (Note: e.g., Aboth iv. 17: there are three crowns: the crown of the Tra, the crown of the priesthood, and the crown of royalty; but כתר שׁם טוב, the crown of a good name, excels them all.) the more ancient uses שׁם alone (e.g., Ecc 7:1),…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification