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The Heaped-Up Treasures of the Sinners Goes to the Righteous

Proverbs 13:22 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²²A good man leaves an inheritance to his son’s sons,^[1]
but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

A good man leaves an inheritance to his son’s sons: Here the Hebrew (tob) masculine singular adjective “good” in our phrase a good man is referring to a person possessing or displaying moral virtue. He is one who evidences kindness, as he is good-hearted, he is friendly—giving of himself and finances, empathetic and sympathetic, and selfless. The following phrase leaves an inheritance is a causative form of the verb (to inherit), meaning that he causes others to inherit. Finally, the son’s sons or children’s children does not necessarily mean that the good man left his inheritance to his grandchildren but rather to a descendent, which could mean his children or grandchildren.

but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous: Sinner: (חָטָא chata ἁμαρτωλός hamartōlos) In the Scriptures “sinners” is generally used in a more specific way, that is, referring to those willfully living in sin, practicing sin, or have a reputation of sinning. (Matt. 9:10; Mark 2:15; Luke 5:30; 7:37-39; John 9:16; Rom. 3:7; Gal. 2:15; 1 Tim. 1:15; Heb. 7:26; Jam. 4:8; 1 Pet 4:18; Jude 1:15.) To sin (חָטָא chata; ἁμαρτία hamartia) is any spoken word (Job 2:10; Ps 39:1), wrong action (Lev. 20:20; 2 Cor. 12:21) or failing to act when one should have (Num. 9:13; Jam. 4:17), in mind and heart (Prov. 21:4; Rom. 3:9-18; 2 Pet 2:12-15) that is contrary to God’s personality, ways, will and purposes, standards, as set out in the Scriptures. It is also a major sin to lack faith in God, doubting in mind and heart, even subtly in our actions, that he has the ability to carry out his will and purposes. (Heb. 3:12-13, 18-19). It is commonly referred to as missing the mark of perfection. In short, a sinner is a person that has a bad moral character who is often contrasted with the righteous person in the Scriptures. The Hebrew word (חַיִל chayil) rendered wealth means any possessions of a person that could be considered valuable, material prosperity. The Hebrew verb (צָפַן tsaphan) rendered stored up refers to the material prosperity of some value that has been set aside for future use, and in this case, to be given to the righteous. The Hebrew word rendered righteous; upright; just: (צַדִּיק tsaddiq) refers to one who is in a righteous standing before God, who is characterized by righteous actions and morals in accordance with God’s moral standards. – Genesis 18:23-24; Proverbs 3:33; Zephaniah 2:3.

Proverbs 13:22a can be seen in the light of Proverbs as a whole and Solomon, the man of great wisdom from God. Consider the inheritance that a parent or grandparent can leave for their children or grandchildren if they had helped them take in knowledge of God as they cultivate an intimate relationship with the Father. This would be the ultimate gift to leave. Yet, God and Solomon being used by God often gave practical advice as well, so making arrangements to leave your material wealth to the children and grandchildren would be prudent.

The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

Proverbs 13:22b can be seen in a light that most would not consider. The apostle Peter tells us in his quoting the prophet Isaiah that “according to his [God’s] promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13; See Rev. 21:27) When this comes true at the second coming of Jesus Christ, the wicked will have been destroyed, cleared out of the way, making room so that “the meek shall inherit the earth and delight themselves in abundant peace.” – Psalm 37:11.

[1] Or to his children’s children