Bible Strands
Proverbs 22:2
The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Proverbs 22:2 stands within Solomon's collected wisdom sayings, sandwiched between a maxim on valuing reputation over wealth (Proverbs 22:1) and a warning about the consequences of ignoring danger (Proverbs 22:3). The verse addresses the entire community by identifying a shared reality between social extremes.
The words — עֹשֵׂה ('o.Seh) translates literally as "maker," identifying Yahweh as the one who formed both the rich and the poor. נִפְגָּשׁוּ (nif.Ga.shu) means "they meet together," indicating a common ground or shared condition.
The thread — The verse's emphasis on God's role regarding the poor and rich connects to Proverbs 14:31, which links treatment of the needy to honoring their Maker, and 1 Samuel 2:7, which describes Yahweh as the source of poverty and wealth who humbles and exalts. Job 31:15 also appears in the cross-references, though it focuses on God's formative work in the womb rather than economic status.
Why it lands — The text states that economic disparity does not place anyone outside God's creative authority. It requires readers to recognize this shared origin and adjust their conduct accordingly, since Yahweh formed them all.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.
Cross-references
- Job 31:15 Did not He who made me in the womb also make them? Did not the same One form us in the womb?
- 1 Samuel 2:7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.
- Proverbs 14:31 Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.
- Job 34:19 who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
- Proverbs 29:13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
- James 2:2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.
- 1 Corinthians 12:21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.”
- Psalms 49:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world,
- Luke 16:19 Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.