Proverbs 22 · Verse 2

Proverbs 22:2

The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.
Proverbs 22:2, King James Version

Proverbs 22:2 in other translations

BSBThe rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.
WEBThe rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is the maker of them all.
ASVThe rich and the poor meet together: Jehovah is the maker of them all.
YLTRich and poor have met together, The Maker of them all is Jehovah.
DARBYThe rich and poor meet together; Jehovah is the maker of them all.
BBEThe man of wealth and the poor man come face to face: the Lord is the maker of them all.
WebsterThe rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

What does Proverbs 22:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. Before God all are on the same footing (Pr 14:31; 17:5).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 The rich and poor meet together - עשיר ashir the opulent, whether in money, land, or property; רש rash, the man that is destitute of these, and lives by his labor, whether a handicraftsman, or one that tills the ground. In the order of God, the rich and the poor live together, and are mutually helpful to each other. Without the poor, the rich could not be supplied with the articles which they consume; for the poor include all the laboring classes of society: and without the rich, the poor could get no vent for the produce of their laborer, nor, in many cases, labor itself. The poor have more time to labor than the mere necessaries of life require; their extra time is employed in providing a multitude of things which are called the superfluities of life, and which the rich especially consume. All the poor man's time is thus employed; and he is paid for his extra labor by the rich. The rich should not despise the poor, without whom he can neither have his comforts, nor maintain his state. The poor should not envy the rich, without whom he could neither get employment, nor the necessaries of life. The Lord is the Maker of them all - Both the states are in the order of God's providence and both are equally important in his sight. Merely considered as men, God loves the simple artificer or laborer as much as he does the king; though the office of the latter, because of its entering into the plan of his government of the world, is of infinitely greatly consequence than the trade of the poor artificer. Neither should despise the other; neither should envy the other. Both are useful; both important; both absolutely necessary to each other's welfare and support; and both are accountable to God for the manner in which they acquit themselves in those duties of life which God has respectively assigned them. The abject poor - those who are destitute of health and the means of life - God in effect lays at the rich man's door, that by his superfluities they may be supported. How wise is that ordinance which has made the rich and the poor! Pity it were not better understood!

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
Divine Providence has so ordered it, that some are rich, and others poor, but all are guilty before God; and at the throne of God's grace the poor are as welcome as the rich.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 22:2 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

עָשִׁ֣יר'a.Shir[the] richH6223
וָרָ֣שׁva.Rashand [the] poorH7326
נִפְגָּ֑שׁוּnif.Ga.shuthey meet togetherH6298
עֹשֵׂ֖ה'o.Seh[is the] maker ofH6213
כֻלָּ֣םkhu.Lamall of themH3605
יְהוָֽה\׃Yah.wehYahwehH3068

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 22:2

  • Job 31:15

    Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?

  • 1 Samuel 2:7

    The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

  • Proverbs 14:31

    He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

  • Proverbs 29:13

    The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord lighteneth both their eyes.

  • Job 34:19

    How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

  • James 2:2-5

    For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

  • 1 Corinthians 12:21

    And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

  • Psalms 49:1-2

    To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: Both low and high, rich and poor, together.

  • Luke 16:19-20

    There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
rich.
29:13; 1Sa 2:7; Ps 49:1,2; Lu 16:19,20; 1Co 12:21; Jas 2:2-5
the Lord.
14:31; Job 31:15; 34:19

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 22:1

    A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

  • Proverbs 22:2

    The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.

  • Proverbs 22:3

    A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Read all of Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El rico y el pobre se encontraron: á todos ellos hizo Jehová.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Le riche et le pauvre se rencontrent: l’ Éternel les a tous faits.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Reiche und Arme begegnen sich: Jehova hat sie alle gemacht.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Dives et pauper obviaverunt sibi: utriusque operator est Dominus.