A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

PROVERBS 28:20KJV
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Proverbs 28:20 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 28:20 mean?

Proverbs 28:20 says that a person who is trustworthy and steady will experience many good things, while someone who rushes to get rich will not go unpunished. The verse contrasts the long-term rewards of faithfulness with the dangers of greed and impatience.

The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings, mostly attributed to Solomon, meant to teach practical wisdom for daily life. Here, the focus is on character: the “faithful man” is someone who can be relied on, while the one who “makes haste to be rich” is driven by a desire for quick gain. The verse warns that chasing wealth recklessly often leads to trouble, while steady integrity brings lasting blessings.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 28:20

  • The word for “faithful” is אֱמוּנָה (’emunah), which means reliable, trustworthy, or steady. This highlights that the verse is talking about someone whose character is consistent and dependable, not just about religious faith.
  • “Abound” comes from רַב (rav), meaning to be many or plentiful. The idea is not just a little blessing, but a life marked by ongoing goodness.
  • The phrase “maketh haste” uses אוּץ (uts), which means to hurry or rush. This word suggests impatience and a willingness to cut corners to get rich quickly.
  • “Innocent” is from נָקָה (naqah), meaning to be free from guilt or punishment. The verse warns that those who are greedy and impatient will not escape consequences.

Why Proverbs 28:20 matters

  • Proverbs 28:20 corrects the idea that getting rich quickly is always a sign of blessing; it warns that the way wealth is pursued matters as much as the outcome.
  • The verse emphasizes that steady, trustworthy character is more valuable in the long run than chasing after quick success.
  • In the wider context of Proverbs, this verse fits with other warnings against greed and dishonest gain, showing a consistent biblical concern for integrity over short-term profit.

Where else these words appear

“haste” Hebrew H213 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 19:15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
  • Joshua 17:15 And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee.
  • Proverbs 29:20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

“rich” Hebrew H6238 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
  • Psalms 65:9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
  • Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

“innocent” Hebrew H5352 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 24:8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
  • Judges 15:3 And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.
  • Proverbs 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

“faithful” Hebrew H530 · used in 49 verses

  • Exodus 17:12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
  • Psalms 40:10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
  • Psalms 119:90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.