Proverbs 19:14
Proverbs 19:14 in Multiple Translations
Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers; But a prudent wife is from Jehovah.
House and wealth are a heritage from fathers, but a wife with good sense is from the Lord.
You inherit a house and wealth from your father, but a sensible wife is a gift from the Lord.
House and riches are the inheritance of the fathers: but a prudent wife commeth of the Lord.
House and wealth [are] the inheritance of fathers, And from Jehovah [is] an understanding wife.
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
House and riches are given by parents: but a prudent wife is properly from the Lord.
We can inherit a house or money from our parents when they die, but only Yahweh can give someone a sensible wife.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 19:14
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
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Proverbs 19:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בַּ֣יִת
וָ֭/הוֹן
נַחֲלַ֣ת
אָב֑וֹת
וּ֝/מֵ/יְהוָ֗ה
אִשָּׁ֥ה
מַשְׂכָּֽלֶת
בַּ֣יִת
bayith
H1004
place
N-ms
וָ֭/הוֹן
hôwn
H1952
substance
Conj | N-ms
נַחֲלַ֣ת
nachălâh
H5159
inheritance
N-fs
אָב֑וֹת
ʼâb
H1
father
N-mp
וּ֝/מֵ/יְהוָ֗ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
Conj | Prep | N-proper
אִשָּׁ֥ה
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs
מַשְׂכָּֽלֶת
sâkal
H7919
be prudent
V-Hiphil
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 19:14
בַּ֣יִת
bayith
H1004
"place"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
וָ֭/הוֹן
hôwn
H1952
"substance"
Conj | N-ms
This word refers to wealth or substance, implying that something is enough or of high value. It can also be translated as riches or sufficiency.
Definition: 1) wealth, riches, substance 1a) wealth 1b) price, high value interj 2) enough!, sufficiency
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: enough, [phrase] for nought, riches, substance, wealth. See also: Psalms 44:13; Proverbs 19:4; Psalms 112:3.
נַחֲלַ֣ת
nachălâh
H5159
"inheritance"
N-fs
Inheritance refers to something passed down, like property or a family heirloom, as seen in the Bible's discussion of dividing land among tribes in Joshua. It represents a person's share or possession. The concept is crucial in understanding biblical ideas of family and legacy.
Definition: 1) possession, property, inheritance, heritage 1a) property 1b) portion, share 1c) inheritance, portion
Usage: Occurs in 191 OT verses. KJV: heritage, to inherit, inheritance, possession. Compare H5158 (נַחַל). See also: Genesis 31:14; Joshua 23:4; Psalms 2:8.
אָב֑וֹת
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-mp
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
וּ֝/מֵ/יְהוָ֗ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
Conj | Prep | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אִשָּׁ֥ה
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
מַשְׂכָּֽלֶת
sâkal
H7919
"be prudent"
V-Hiphil
To be circumspect means to be careful and thoughtful in your actions. In the Bible, this word is used to describe someone who is intelligent and prudent, like Solomon in 1 Kings 3:12.
Definition: 1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper 1a) (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to look at or upon, have insight 1b2) to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent 1b3) to have insight, have comprehension 1b3a) insight, comprehension (subst) 1b4) to cause to consider, give insight, teach 1b4a) the teachers, the wise 1b5) to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely 1b6) to prosper, have success 1b7) to cause to prosper Aramaic equivalent: se.khal (שְׂכַל "to contemplate" H7920)
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(-ly), guide wittingly. See also: Genesis 3:6; Proverbs 1:3; Psalms 2:10.
Study Notes — Proverbs 19:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 19:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 19:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 19:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 19:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 19:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 19:14
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 19:14
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 19:14
- Sermons on Proverbs 19:14
Context — The Man of Integrity
12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.
14Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger. 16He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 18:22 | He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. |
| 2 | Proverbs 31:10–31 | A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants. She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong. She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well: “Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates. |
| 3 | Proverbs 13:22 | A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous. |
| 4 | Proverbs 3:6 | in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. |
| 5 | James 1:17 | Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. |
| 6 | Genesis 28:1–4 | So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. “Do not take a wife from the Canaanite women,” he commanded. “Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel, and take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother. May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a company of peoples. And may He give the blessing of Abraham to you and your descendants, so that you may possess the land where you dwell as a foreigner, the land God gave to Abraham.” |
| 7 | 2 Corinthians 12:14 | See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 21:16 | when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. |
| 9 | Joshua 11:23 | So Joshua took the entire land, in keeping with all that the LORD had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to the allotments to their tribes. Then the land had rest from war. |
| 10 | Genesis 24:7 | The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me from my father’s house and my native land, who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’—He will send His angel before you so that you can take a wife for my son from there. |
Proverbs 19:14 Summary
[This verse reminds us that while we may inherit physical things like houses and wealth from our families, a wise and discerning spouse is a special gift from God, as seen in Proverbs 19:14 and Proverbs 31:10-31. This means that we should prioritize prayer and trust in God's sovereignty when it comes to finding a spouse, rather than just relying on our own efforts or expectations. By doing so, we can experience the joy and harmony that comes from having a prudent and wise spouse, as described in Ephesians 5:22-33 and Colossians 3:18-19.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have a prudent wife from the Lord?
Having a prudent wife from the Lord means that a wise and discerning spouse is a gift from God, as seen in Proverbs 19:14, and is a blessing that brings joy and harmony to a marriage, as described in Proverbs 31:10-31 and Ephesians 5:22-33.
Can I inherit a prudent wife, like I would inherit houses and wealth?
No, a prudent wife is not something that can be inherited like physical possessions, but rather it is a gift from the Lord, as stated in Proverbs 19:14, and requires prayer, patience, and trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11.
How does this verse relate to the idea of finding a good spouse?
This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking a spouse who is wise and prudent, as a gift from the Lord, rather than just focusing on external qualities, as warned against in 1 Samuel 16:7 and Proverbs 11:22, and is in line with the biblical teachings on marriage and relationships, such as in Ephesians 5:25-33 and Colossians 3:18-19.
What role does faith play in finding a prudent wife?
Faith plays a significant role in finding a prudent wife, as it requires trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Romans 8:28, and being patient and prayerful in the process, as encouraged in Psalm 37:7 and Philippians 4:6-7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some qualities of a prudent wife, and how can I cultivate those qualities in my own life, whether as a spouse or in other relationships?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty and provision when it comes to finding a spouse or building a strong marriage, and what does that look like in practical terms?
- In what ways can I prioritize prayer and patience in my search for a prudent spouse, and how can I avoid getting caught up in worldly or superficial expectations?
- What are some potential pitfalls or dangers of seeking a spouse based on external qualities rather than inner character, and how can I guard against those in my own life?
- How can I balance the desire for a prudent spouse with the recognition that ultimately, a good marriage is a gift from the Lord, and not something I can manufacture on my own?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 19:14
Houses and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers,.... Which they are careful to provide and leave to their children.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 19:14
House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. House and riches (are) the inheritance of fathers - i:e., are to be obtained by inheritance from them.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 19:14
Is vouchsafed to a man by the singular providence of God, who is the only searcher and ruler of hearts, exactly discerning who are prudent or pious, in which even wise men’ s judgments are commonly mistaken, and inclining the minds and hearts of persons one towards another.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 19:14
Proverbs 19:14 House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD.Ver. 14. House and riches are the inheritance of the fathers.] Viz., More immediately. God gives them to the parents, and they leave them to their children, being moved thereto by God. Though a carnal heart looks no higher than parents, cares not, so he may have it, whence he hath it. It is dos non Deus that maketh marriages with them - good enough, if goods enough. Money is the greatest meddler, and drives the bargain and business to an upshot. Mostly such matches prove unhappy and uncomfortable. How can it be otherwise, since Hic Deus nihil fecit? God indeed had a hand in it, but for their just punishment that so followed after lying vanities, and so forsook their own mercies. But a prudent wife is of the Lord.] Nature makes a woman, election a wife; but to be prudent, wise, and virtuous is of the Lord.
A good wife was one of the first real and royal gifts bestowed on Adam. God set all the creatures before him ere he gave him a wife, that, seeing no other fit help, he might prize such a gift; not a gift of industry, but of destiny, as one saith; for "marriages are made in heaven," as the common sort can say, and as very heathens acknowledge. The governor of Eskichisar, hearing Othoman the great Turk’ s relation of a fair lady whom he was in love with, and had highly commended for her virtues, seemed greatly to like his choice, saying that she was by the divine providence appointed only for him to have. Turkish Hist., fol. 136.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 19:14
Verse 14. A prudent wife is from the Lord.] One who has a good understanding, אשה משכלת ishshah mascaleth; who avoids complaining, though she may often have cause for it.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 19:14
14. the inheritance of] Rather, an inheritance from (R.V.); i.e. derived from. And] Rather, But. οἶκονκαὶὕπαρξινμερίζουσιπατέρεςπαισὶ, παρὰδὲκυρίουἁρμόζεταιγυνὴἀνδρί, LXX. Domus et divitiζ dantur a parentibus; a Domino autem proprie uxor prudens, Vulg. Comp. Proverbs 18:22; Genesis 24:12-14.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 19:14
14. Inheritance of fathers — That is, such as may be inherited. A prudent wife — The greatest of earthly blessings is a special boon from Jehovah. Compare Proverbs 18:22.
Sermons on Proverbs 19:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Do Not Fear to Take Mary by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about his search for a wife. He emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance in relationships and shares how God spoke to |
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Precious Purity - Engagement by Erlo Stegen | Erlo Stegen emphasizes the importance of purity and holiness in engagements, urging young people to seek God's guidance in choosing a spouse rather than succumbing to worldly stand |
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(Secrets of Victory) 10. Faith in God - or Faith in Money? by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen preaches about the power struggle between serving God and serving money (Mammon), emphasizing the need for believers to have more faith in God than the world has in mone |
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(Practical Discipleship) 2. Discipleship and the Home by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes that true discipleship begins at home, where honoring parents is foundational to following Jesus. He explains that while Jesus taught to 'hate' one's parents, |
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Homily 23 on Romans by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the importance of being subject to higher powers, emphasizing that God has ordained rulers for the better ordering of society and to prevent unnecessary |
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A Gift From God by Ed Wrather | Ed Wrather reflects on the importance of having a prudent spouse, highlighting the wisdom and guidance that comes from the Lord in relationships. He contrasts a prudent wife with a |
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(Godly Courtship) 04 Testimonies of Courtship by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of cause and effect in our lives, both positively and negatively. He encourages the audience to strive for spiritual maturity |