Can anyone tell me what Proverbs 13:22 means please?

Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous."

Just gonna take a shot in the dark here. A good man leaves something for his grandchildren as an inheritance. But the ungodly man's inheritance will be lost and someone else will benefit from it.

Here's what I got from the ESV Study Bible notes.

"Prov. 13:22–25 Walking with the wise (see vv. 20–21) includes prudence to care for children (1) by providing a material inheritance that extends even to grandchildren (on inheritance in Israel, see Num. 27:5–11; Deut. 21:15–17), and (2) by providing moral discipline (Prov. 13:24). In thus seeking to provide, a parent ought also to pursue justice (v. 23), exhibiting their faith that the righteous will have enough to satisfy (v. 25; cf. v. 21)."

Here's what Adam Clarke says about that verse.


Verse 22. A good man leaveth an inheritance ] He files many a prayer in heaven in their behalf, and his good example and advices are remembered and quoted from generation to generation. Besides, whatever property he left was honestly acquired, and well-gotten goods are permanent. The general experience of men shows this to be a common case; and that property ill-gotten seldom reaches to the third generation. This even the heathens observed. Hence: De male quaesitis non gaudet tertius haeres. "The third generation shall not possess the goods that have been unjustly acquired."

And Strong's Concordance translates that word "wealth" as "strength".

I would have to agree with Seeking. The good things, deeds, words, and honestly acquired gain will pass on to subsequent generations. I will remember the words, deeds, and Godly character that both of my deceased grandfathers displayed until the day that I, myself, die.

I have some of their possessions and all of their wonderful teachings and memories.

Unfortunately, for people who grew up with fathers who did not love, protect, or care for their children or grandchildren, they may have inherited "things", but that's all. Even in those things, there sometimes is no meaning. For those who had no happy relationship with their fathers, many times inherited things are sold or given away. And there certainly are no cherished memories to keep.