Proverbs 22:1 - Exposition

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches . It will be observed that "good" in the Authorized Version is in italics, showing that the epithet is not expressed in the Hebrew, which is simply שֵׁם ( shem ) , "name." But this word carried with it the notion of good repute, as in Ecclesiastes 7:1 ; for being well known implied honour and reputation, while being nameless ( Job 30:8 ) signified not only obscurity, but ignominy and discredit. Hence the versions have ὄνομα καλόν , nomen bonum, and Ecclesiasticus 41:12, "Have regard to thy name ( περὶ ὀνόματος ) , for that shall continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of gold. A good life," the moralist continues, "hath but few days; but a good name endureth forever" (contrast Proverbs 10:7 ). And loving favour rather than silver and gold; or, more accurately, and before gold and silver grace is good ; i.e. grace is far better than gold. Grace ( chen ) is the manner and demeanour which win love, as well as the favour and affection gained thereby; taken as parallel to "name," in the former hemistich, it means here "favour," the regard conceived by others for a worthy object. Publ. Syr; " Bona opinio hominum tutier pecunia est ." The French have a proverb, "Bonne renommee vaut mieux que ceinture doree." The latter hemistich gives the reason for the assertion in the former—a good name is so valuable because it wins affection and friendship, which are far preferable to material riches,