Proverbs 22 is a treasure trove of practical and spiritual wisdom, part of the Solomonic collection in the Bible. It’s a chapter that mixes everyday advice with deep moral and theological insights, aiming to guide readers toward a life of righteousness, prudence, and reverence for God.
- Verse 1: “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Reputation and respect outweigh wealth. It’s a call to prioritize character over cash.
- Verse 2: “Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.” God’s sovereignty levels the playing field—status doesn’t define your worth.
- Verse 3: “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the price.” Foresight saves; recklessness costs.
- Verse 4: “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” Reverence and humility bring true rewards.
- Verse 5: “In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.” Avoid evil’s traps to protect yourself.
- Verse 6: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Early training has lasting impact—ideally.
- Verse 7: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” A stark look at power and debt’s bondage.
- Verse 8: “Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.” Evil actions boomerang; oppression fails.
- Verse 9: “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” Generosity gets rewarded.
- Verse 10: “Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.” Remove troublemakers, restore peace.
- Verse 11: “One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.” Integrity and kindness win favor.
- Verse 12: “The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.” God protects truth, thwarts deceit.
- Verse 13: “The sluggard says, ‘There’s a lion outside!’ or ‘I’ll be murdered in the streets!’” Laziness breeds excuses.
- Verse 14: “The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.” Seduction’s danger is real, especially under judgment.
- Verse 15: “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.” Discipline corrects youthful foolishness.
- Verse 16: “One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.” Exploitation and flattery backfire.
- Verses 17-21: “Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise… for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart…” An intro to a new section, urging the reader to internalize wisdom for trust in God.
- Verse 22-23: “Do not exploit the poor… for the Lord will take up their case…” God defends the vulnerable.
- Verse 24-25: “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person… or you may learn their ways…” Bad company corrupts.
- Verse 26-27: “Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge… if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched…” Avoid rash financial commitments.
- Verse 28: “Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.” Respect tradition and property.
- Verse 29: “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings…” Excellence gets noticed.
The chapter’s a blend of moral maxims, social observations, and spiritual exhortations. It’s grounded in the “fear of the Lord” as the root of wisdom, while tackling real-world issues like money, relationships, and work. It’s less about abstract philosophy and more about living well in a messy world.
Now, let’s zoom in on Truth and Wisdom, two pillars that run through Proverbs 22 like a heartbeat. They’re not just buzzwords here—they’re active, relational, and tied to God’s character.
Truth
Truth in Proverbs 22 isn’t some detached, academic concept—it’s living, practical, and guarded by God Himself. Take verse 12: “The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.” Here, “knowledge” (Hebrew da‘at) is closely tied to truth—understanding that aligns with reality as God sees it. The Lord actively protects it, while undermining the deceptive spin of the “unfaithful” (those who betray covenant loyalty). Truth, then, is under divine surveillance—it’s not up for grabs or subjective spin. This suggests a worldview where truth isn’t just what works or feels good; it’s what holds up under God’s gaze.
Look at verse 21 too: “…teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve.” The Hebrew for “truth” here (emet) carries connotations of reliability, faithfulness, stability. Truth is something you embody and deliver—it’s performative, not just propositional. It’s about being a trustworthy person, not just spouting facts. In a chapter warning against mockers (v. 10) and adulterers (v. 14), truth stands as the antidote to deceit and chaos. It’s the glue that holds relationships and society together, rooted in God’s own consistency.
Wisdom
Wisdom in Proverbs 22 is the practical outworking of truth—it’s knowing how to live rightly because you see the world as it really is. Verse 4 ties it to humility and the “fear of the Lord,” framing wisdom as a posture, not just a skill. The Hebrew chokmah (wisdom) is about mastery of life—skill in navigating its twists and turns. It’s less about IQ and more about moral clarity and shrewdness, as seen in verse 3: “The prudent see danger and take refuge…” Wisdom spots the lion in the street (unlike the sluggard’s excuse in v. 13) and acts.
Verse 17-19 doubles down: “Apply your heart to my knowledge… so that your trust may be in the Lord.” Wisdom isn’t self-generated—it’s received, internalized, and lived out in dependence on God. It’s relational, not solitary. And it’s purposeful: it leads to trust, not just cleverness. By verse 29, wisdom shows up as skill: “someone skilled in their work” rises to serve kings. This isn’t book-smarts—it’s competence honed by discipline and insight, reflecting wisdom’s tangible fruit.
Interplay of Truth and Wisdom
Truth and wisdom in Proverbs 22 aren’t separate tracks—they’re intertwined. Truth provides the map (what’s real, what God upholds), and wisdom is the navigation (how to move through it). Without truth, wisdom becomes cunning; without wisdom, truth stays theoretical. Verse 11—“One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace”—marries them: a heart aligned with truth (purity) expresses itself wisely (graceful speech), earning favor. Meanwhile, verse 12 shows God defending this combo—preserving knowledge (truth) against the unfaithful, who lack the wisdom to live it out.
In a deeper sense, both point to God. Truth reflects His unchanging nature (emet echoes His faithfulness in Exodus 34:6). Wisdom mirrors His creative order (Proverbs 8 personifies it as present at creation). Proverbs 22 invites us into this divine dance: know what’s true because God reveals it, live wisely because He enables it. It’s less about mastering a rulebook and more about syncing with the One who wrote reality.