Marriage is a sacred, God-ordained partnership that grants favor from the Lord.
When the wise author of Proverbs declares “He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD” (v.22), he is underscoring the inherent blessing God bestows through the gift of marriage. The wording emphasizes not only the discovery of “a good thing” but also the special favor extended by God Himself. In the broader biblical context, God’s design for marriage often illustrates partnership, love, and mutual support, reflecting His care for humanity (Genesis 2:24). By describing the discovery of a wife as a good thing, this verse suggests that marriage aligns with God’s benevolent intentions for His people.
Furthermore, the phrase “And obtains favor from the LORD” (v.22) signifies that God actively participates in the union formed by husband and wife. Favor from the LORD implies a divine endorsement or blessing that transcends mere human affection. In ancient Israelite culture, marriages frequently connected families and communities, strengthening social bonds that God used for His covenant purposes. Although there is no mention of a specific location here, we can recognize that these proverbs emerged from the lands of ancient Israel, situated in the Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East, where familial and tribal affiliations were vitally important.
Viewed through the lens of Christian faith, this verse resonates with the New Testament teaching that likens the marriage relationship to the union of Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:25). A husband’s commitment to his wife mirrors the sacrificial love that Jesus showed for believers, and Proverbs 18:22 suggests that this deep, covenantal bond is rewarded by God’s pleasure and blessing.
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Proverbs 18:22 meaning
When the wise author of Proverbs declares “He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD” (v.22), he is underscoring the inherent blessing God bestows through the gift of marriage. The wording emphasizes not only the discovery of “a good thing” but also the special favor extended by God Himself. In the broader biblical context, God’s design for marriage often illustrates partnership, love, and mutual support, reflecting His care for humanity (Genesis 2:24). By describing the discovery of a wife as a good thing, this verse suggests that marriage aligns with God’s benevolent intentions for His people.
Furthermore, the phrase “And obtains favor from the LORD” (v.22) signifies that God actively participates in the union formed by husband and wife. Favor from the LORD implies a divine endorsement or blessing that transcends mere human affection. In ancient Israelite culture, marriages frequently connected families and communities, strengthening social bonds that God used for His covenant purposes. Although there is no mention of a specific location here, we can recognize that these proverbs emerged from the lands of ancient Israel, situated in the Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East, where familial and tribal affiliations were vitally important.
Viewed through the lens of Christian faith, this verse resonates with the New Testament teaching that likens the marriage relationship to the union of Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:25). A husband’s commitment to his wife mirrors the sacrificial love that Jesus showed for believers, and Proverbs 18:22 suggests that this deep, covenantal bond is rewarded by God’s pleasure and blessing.