20:21

This proverb is a single sentence in Hebrew. The first line describes an inheritance that a person obtains before the proper time. The second line tells what will eventually happen to that inheritance.

21a An inheritance gained quickly

21b will not be blessed at the end.

20:21a

An inheritance gained quickly: There are two ways to interpret the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as inheritance :

(1) It refers to land or other family property or wealth that is inherited from one’s parents. For example:

Wealth inherited quickly in the beginning (New Century Version)

(2) It refers to any wealth or property that a person obtains. For example:

Getting rich quick (Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most commentaries and lexicons support this interpretation. The Hebrew word that is used here usually refers to family property that is passed on from parents to children. Verse 13:11a has a similar theme. But there, a different Hebrew word that refers to money or wealth in general is used.

gained quickly: This phrase probably indicates that the son takes his inheritance before the proper time. It may also imply that he obtains it wrongfully. In some languages, it may be more natural to leave this phrase implied.

Another way to translate 20:21a is:

When a person quickly takes his inheritance before the right time

20:21b

will not be blessed in the end: This phrase probably indicates that the inheritance will not prosper. In the end, it will not benefit the one who inherited it. The verb will not be blessed is a passive verb. If it is necessary to make the source of the blessing explicit, you may supply “the LORD.” For example:

The LORD will not bless it in the end

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

is not a blessing in the end (NET Bible)
-or-
will do you no good in the end (New Century Version)

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