How many times is riches mentioned in the Bible?
The word riches appears 98 times in the King James Version, in 95 verses. It is found in 27 of the 66 books. The World English Bible uses riches 85 times.
Riches in the King James Version and the World English Bible
Each form of riches counted in each translation.
| Form | KJV | WEB |
|---|---|---|
| riches | 98 | 85 |
| Total | 98 | 85 |
Which books mention riches most
Riches appears in 27 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Proverbs has the most (17), then Psalms (9) and Ezekiel (8).
Also in: Esther (2), Job (2), Colossians (2), Revelation (2), Joshua (1), 1 Samuel (1), Matthew (1), 2 Corinthians (1), Philippians (1), 1 Timothy (1), Hebrews (1), James (1).
First and last mention of riches
For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.
For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
The verse that uses it most is Proverbs 8:18, 2 times (tied with Ezekiel 28:5, Romans 11:12):
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
Where the two translations differ
18 verses match in the KJV but not in the World English Bible, and 6 verses match only in the World English Bible, usually because the other translation chose a different word there.
Genesis 36:7: counted in the KJV only
For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.
For their substance was too great for them to dwell together, and the land of their travels couldn’t bear them because of their livestock.
Joshua 22:8: counted in the KJV only
And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.
and spoke to them, saying, “Return with much wealth to your tents, with very much livestock, with silver, with gold, with brass, with iron, and with very much clothing. Divide the plunder of your enemies with your brothers.”
Job 36:18: counted in the World English Bible only
Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.
Don’t let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.
Psalm 49:12: counted in the World English Bible only
Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
But man, despite his riches, doesn’t endure. He is like the animals that perish.
Verses with riches on our topic pages
19 verses that use riches in the World English Bible are in our topic collections.
Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;
A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold.
If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me;
On: What Does the Bible Say About Gambling? 25 Verses, What Does the Bible Say About Lying? 28 Verses, What Does the Bible Say About Stealing? 30 Verses
in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
On: Forgiveness, Blessings, Grace
House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.
On: Marriage, Relationships
that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;
On: Strength, Mental Health
Yahweh, how many are your works! In wisdom have you made them all. The earth is full of your riches.
Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.
On: Wisdom
With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
On: Wisdom
Common questions
How many times is riches in the Old Testament and the New Testament?
In the King James Version, counting every form, 72 of the 98 uses are in the Old Testament and 26 in the New Testament. Riches appears in 27 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Proverbs has the most (17), then Psalms (9) and Ezekiel (8).
Where is riches first mentioned in the Bible?
The first use in the King James Version is Genesis 31:16: "For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do." The last is Revelation 18:17.
Read the full collection: Bible Verses About Wealth (22 Verses).
More word counts: sun, moon, wilderness, crown, throne, altar, temple, tabernacle, or all 253 words.
Counted by Bible Says About from the full public-domain text of the King James Version (1769 edition) and the World English Bible. Verse text only: headings and psalm titles are left out. A word is a run of letters: a hyphenated name like Beer-sheba counts as two, and an apostrophe stays inside its word (LORD'S is one). Matching ignores capital letters. Data compiled 2026-10-05.