This verse teaches that those who come to God with humility and awe will receive lasting treasure, find respect, and enjoy a life brimming with real purpose.
Solomon, who reigned as Israel’s king between 970-931 BC, penned many of the proverbs as wise counsel grounded in reverence for God. In Proverbs 22:4, he asserts that “The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life” (v.4). Humility, in the biblical sense, involves a posture of recognizing our limits and viewing ourselves accurately in light of God’s supremacy, a perspective echoed elsewhere as “the ability to see reality as it is”. The fear of the LORD reflects an attitude of awe and reverence that values God’s judgment above human opinion, prompting us to heed His instruction and trust His plan.
By linking humility with the fear of the LORD, Solomon highlights two pillars of godly wisdom. When people genuinely honor God above all, they become free from the shackles of pride or the pressure to please others. This outlook brings internal blessings, but Solomon also notes that it can produce outward fruit—“riches” (material or spiritual provision), “honor” (recognition that aligns with God’s esteem), and “life” (flourishing that transcends trivial pursuits). Scripture repeatedly confirms this principle, teaching that pride leads to defeat, while humbling oneself before God can result in countless benefits (1 Peter 5:6; James 4:10). Jesus likewise taught that those who exalt themselves would be humbled, but those who embrace humility will be exalted (Matthew 23:12).
Solomon’s emphasis on “the fear of the LORD” underscores a focus on God’s perspective. The biblical commentaries remind us that such reverence prompts us to “care most about what God thinks” and trust Him to guide our choices. It is a reverent awareness that God’s design leads to the best outcomes—true riches, genuine honor, and abundant life—when we submit our hearts and actions to Him. Together, humility and fear of the LORD establish a path that pursues God’s wisdom and experiences His ongoing favor.
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Proverbs 22:4 meaning
Solomon, who reigned as Israel’s king between 970-931 BC, penned many of the proverbs as wise counsel grounded in reverence for God. In Proverbs 22:4, he asserts that “The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life” (v.4). Humility, in the biblical sense, involves a posture of recognizing our limits and viewing ourselves accurately in light of God’s supremacy, a perspective echoed elsewhere as “the ability to see reality as it is”. The fear of the LORD reflects an attitude of awe and reverence that values God’s judgment above human opinion, prompting us to heed His instruction and trust His plan.
By linking humility with the fear of the LORD, Solomon highlights two pillars of godly wisdom. When people genuinely honor God above all, they become free from the shackles of pride or the pressure to please others. This outlook brings internal blessings, but Solomon also notes that it can produce outward fruit—“riches” (material or spiritual provision), “honor” (recognition that aligns with God’s esteem), and “life” (flourishing that transcends trivial pursuits). Scripture repeatedly confirms this principle, teaching that pride leads to defeat, while humbling oneself before God can result in countless benefits (1 Peter 5:6; James 4:10). Jesus likewise taught that those who exalt themselves would be humbled, but those who embrace humility will be exalted (Matthew 23:12).
Solomon’s emphasis on “the fear of the LORD” underscores a focus on God’s perspective. The biblical commentaries remind us that such reverence prompts us to “care most about what God thinks” and trust Him to guide our choices. It is a reverent awareness that God’s design leads to the best outcomes—true riches, genuine honor, and abundant life—when we submit our hearts and actions to Him. Together, humility and fear of the LORD establish a path that pursues God’s wisdom and experiences His ongoing favor.