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John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:10

Who can find a virtuous woman ,.... This part of the chapter is disjoined from the rest in the Septuagint and Arabic versions; and Huetius F20 Demonstrat. Evangel. Prop. 4. p. 234. thinks it is a composition of some other person, and not Lemuel's mother, whose words he supposes end at Proverbs 31:9 ; but it is generally thought that what follows to the end of the chapter is a continuance of her words, in which she describes a person as a fit wife for her son. Some think that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 31:10

Who can find a virtuous woman? - This and the following verses are acrostic, each beginning with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet: Proverbs 31:10 , א aleph ; Proverbs 31:11 , ב beth ; Proverbs 31:12 , ג gimel ; and so on to the end of the chapter, the last verse of which has the letter ת tau . From this to the end of the chapter we have the character of a woman of genuine worth laid down; first, in general, Proverbs 31:10-12 ; secondly, in its particular or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:1-31

The words of Lernuel The fear of God is the leading thought in these meditations; and this in a twofold relation—to the king in his rule in the state, and the woman in her rule in the house. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:10

ALEPH . Who can find a virtuous woman? The expression, ishshah chayil, "woman of force," has occurred in Proverbs 12:4 (where see note). Mulierem fortem , St. Jerome terms her; γυναῖκα ἀνδρείαν is the rendering of the LXX ; which places this section as the end of the whole Book of Proverbs. The expression combines the ideas of moral goodness and bodily vigour and activity. It is useless to try to fix the character upon any particular person. The representation is that of an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:10-31

Part IX. THIRD APPENDIX TO THE SECOND COLLECTION . This section contains an ode in praise of the virtuous woman, derived from a different source from that of the words of Agur, and belonging to a different age (see Introduction). It is an acrostic; that is, each verse begins with one of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, arranged in the usual order. We may compare this mashal with the alphabetical psalms, "Psalmi abcedarii," which are, more or less, of similar... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:10-31

The typical woman I. HER SPHERE . This is domestic. 1 . In marriage. The typical woman is a wife and mother, not a St. Agnes, the mystical bride of Christ, nor even a Virgin Mary. We see her in Sarah, in Naomi, in Hannah, in Eunice. There is invaluable service for the world which only women who are free from the ties of home can accomplish; there is a noble mission for single women. But there is nothing in Scripture, reason, or conscience to suggest that virginity is more holy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:10-31

The virtuous housewife I. HER INFLUENCE IN THE SPHERE OF HOME . ( Proverbs 31:10-22 .) 1 . Her exceeding worth. ( Proverbs 31:10-12 .) A costly treasure not everywhere to be found; no commonplace blessing: an ornament and a joy above all that earth affords of rare and beautiful. A treasure on which the heart of the possessor ever dwells with delight. "Continual comfort in a face, The lineaments of gospel books." She is the rich source of revenue to her husband... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:10-31

Christian womanhood If Solomon did write these words, we need not he surprised that he speaks of the rarity of the ideal woman; for she is hardly to be found in a crowded harem. It is the Christian home that contains her. We look at— I. HER CHARACTERISTICS . And these are: 1 . Piety. "She feareth the Lord" ( Proverbs 31:30 ). She has within her the spirit of reverence, and the life she lives is one in which worship and the study of the will of God have no small share. She... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 31:10

Proverbs 31:10. Who can find a virtuous woman? Here he lays down several qualifications of an excellent wife, which are delivered in alphabetical order, each verse beginning with a several letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It may be proper to observe here, that the versions, in general, agree in reading this, a strong woman, the words, אשׁת חיל , being literally, a woman of strength, or firmness: but then it must be observed, that it is equally applicable to strength of body or strength... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:10-31

The ideal wife (31:10-31)In the original language this section is an acrostic poem. That is, each of the poem’s twenty-two verses begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order.A good wife makes the perfect partner. Her husband, knowing this, trusts in her and depends upon her (10-12). She is kind, clever at buying and selling, diligent, conscientious, and a good manager of the household (13-16). She is energetic and tireless, both in helping the family income and in carrying... read more

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