Proverbs31
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
2What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
3Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?
5Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.
6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
8Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.
10A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.
12She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.
13She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable; Her lamp goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:
29Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.
30Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 31.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: An exhortation to king Lemuel to take heed of sin, and to do duties. (1–9). The description of a virtuous woman. (10–31).
vv1-9
When children are under the mother's eye, she has an opportunity of fashioning their minds aright. Those who are grown up, should often call to mind the good teaching they received when children. The many awful instances of promising characters who have been ruined by vile women, and love of wine, should warn every one to avoid these evils. Wine is to be used for want or medicine. Every creature of God is good, and wine, though abused, has its use. By the same rule, due praise and consolation should be used as cordials to the dejected and tempted, not administered to the confident and self-sufficient. All in authority should be more carefully temperate even than other men; and should be protectors of those who are unable or afraid to plead their own cause. Our blessed Lord did not decline the bitterest dregs of the cup of sorrow put into his hands; but he puts the cup of consolation into the hands of his people, and causes those to rejoice who are in the deepest distress.
vv10-31
This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her. 1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good. 2. She is one that takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in them. She is careful to fill up time, that none be lost. She rises early. She applies herself to the business proper for her, to women's business. She does what she does, with all her power, and trifles not. 3. She makes what she does turn to good account by prudent management. Many undo themselves by buying, without considering whether they can afford it. She provides well for her house. She lays up for hereafter. 4. She looks well to the ways of her household, that she may oblige all to do their duty to God and one another, as well as to her. 5. She is intent upon giving as upon getting, and does it freely and cheerfully. 6. She is discreet and obliging; every word she says, shows she governs herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent measures herself, but gives prudent advice to others. The law of love and kindness is written in the heart, and shows itself in the tongue. Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy about this world. 7. Above all, she fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God, nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceived many a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts for ever. 8. She has firmness to bear up under crosses and disappointments. She shall reflect with comfort when she comes to be old, that she was not idle or useless when young. She shall rejoice in a world to come. She is a great blessing to her relations. If the fruit be good, the tree must have our good word. But she leaves it to her own works to praise her. Every one ought to desire this honour that cometh from God; and according to this standard we all ought to regulate our judgments. This description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly beloved and respected, useful and honourable. This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be applied to the church of God, which is described as a virtuous spouse? God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellences here described.
Key Words
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
מֶלֶךְ: a king
לְמוּאֵל: Lemuel or Lemoel, a symbolic name of Solomon
מַשָּׂא: a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly adoom, especially singing; mental, desire
אֵם: a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like father))
יָסַר: to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct
מָה: properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses
בַּר: the heir (apparent to the throne)
בֶּטֶן: the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
נֶדֶר: a promise (to God); also (concretely) a thing promised
Cross References
Proverbs 31Wine used to revive and comfort those in deep distress or physical decay.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The worth of a virtuous woman, like wisdom, is far above rubies.
Supported by JFB
How excessive drink and sexual immorality take away the heart and ruin rulers.
Supported by JFB
Contrast between a virtuous woman, who is her husband's crown, and she who shames him.
Supported by JFB
While houses and riches are inherited, a prudent wife is a gift from Yahweh.
Supported by JFB
Favor and outward beauty are fleeting, but the inner hidden person of the heart remains.
Supported by JFB
Warnings against giving one's strength and years to destructive, ruinous lusts.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The deceptive, mocking, and raging nature of strong drink which enervates leaders.
Supported by JFB
Paul's command for younger women to manage the house, paralleling the virtuous woman's oversight.
Supported by JFB
Exhortation for women to be working at home, matching the industrious domestic care here.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts a beautiful woman without discretion with the enduring value of godly fear.
Supported by JFB
The messianic King who, like Lemuel, delivers the needy and those who have no helper.
Supported by JFB
The prophetic command to seek justice, reprove the oppressor, and defend the fatherless.
Supported by JFB
The gate as the place of legal judgment and civic authority where her husband sits.
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