Pro 22:1 | KD | STEP | A good name has the preference above great riches; For more than silver and gold is grace. The proverb is constructed chiastically; the commencing word נבחר (cf. ), and the concluding word טוב, are the parallel predicates; rightly, none of the old translators have been misled to take together חן טוב, after the analogy of שׂכל טוב, ; Pro 13:15. שׁם also does not need טוב for nearer determination; the more modern idiom uses שׁם טוב, the more ancient uses שׁם alone ( e.g. , ), in the sense of ὄνομα καλόν (thus here lxx); for being well known (renowned) is equivalent to a name, and the contrary to being nameless ( ); to make oneself a name, is equivalent to build a monument in honour of oneself; possibly the derivation of the word from שׁמה, to be high, prominent, known, may have contributed to this meaning of the word sensu eximio , for שׁם has the same root word as שׁמים. Luther translates שׁם by Das Gerücht [rumour, fame], in the same pregnant sense; even to the present day, renom , recommée , riputazione , and the like, are thus used. The parallel חן signifies grace and favour (being beloved); grace, which brings favour ( ); and favour, which is the consequence of a graceful appearance, courtesy, and demeanour ( e.g. , ).

‏ Proverbs 22:1

Pro 22:1 1 A good name has the preference above great riches; For more than silver and gold is grace.

The proverb is constructed chiastically; the commencing word נבחר (cf. Pro 21:3), and the concluding word טוב, are the parallel predicates; rightly, none of the old translators have been misled to take together חן טוב, after the analogy of שׂכל טוב, Pro 3:14; Pro 13:15. שׁם also does not need טוב for nearer determination; the more modern idiom uses שׁם טוב, ^{▼▼e.g., Aboth iv. 17: there are three crowns: the crown of the Tôra, the crown of the priesthood, and the crown of royalty; but כתר שׁם טוב, the crown of a good name, excels them all.} the more ancient uses שׁם alone (e.g., Ecc 7:1), in the sense of ὄνομα καλόν (thus here lxx); for being well known (renowned) is equivalent to a name, and the contrary to being nameless (Job 30:8); to make oneself a name, is equivalent to build a monument in honour of oneself; possibly the derivation of the word from שׁמה, to be high, prominent, known, may have contributed to this meaning of the word sensu eximio, for שׁם has the same root word as שׁמים. Luther translates שׁם by Das Gerücht [rumour, fame], in the same pregnant sense; even to the present day, renom, recommée, riputazione, and the like, are thus used. The parallel חן signifies grace and favour (being beloved); grace, which brings favour (Pro 11:16); and favour, which is the consequence of a graceful appearance, courtesy, and demeanour (e.g., Est 2:15).