Proverbs 31:10-12 NIV

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:11

BETH . The heart of her husband cloth safely trust in her. The husband of such a wife goes forth to his daily occupations, having full confidence in her whom he leaves at home, that she will act discreetly, and promote his interests while he is absent (see the contrast in Proverbs 7:20 ). So that he shall have no need of spoil; rather, he shall not lack gain ( shalal ) . The wife manages domestic concerns so well that her husband finds his honest gains increase, and sees his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:12

GIMEL . She will do him good and not evil (comp. Ec Proverbs 26:1-3 ). She is consistent in her conduct towards her husband, always pursuing his best interests. All the days of her life; in good times or bad, in the early spring time of young affection, and in the waning years of declining age. Her love, based on high principles, knows no change or diminution. The old commentator refers to the conduct of St. Monies to her unbelieving and unfaithful husband, narrated by St. Augustine in... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 31:11-12

Proverbs 31:11-12. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her For the prudent and faithful management of all his domestic affairs, which are committed to her care; so that he shall have no need of spoil The sense is, either, 1st, He shall want no necessary provisions for his family, which are sometimes called spoil, or prey: or, 2d, He shall not need to use indirect and unlawful courses to get wealth, as by cheating, or oppressing his subjects, or others, as princes have often... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 31:10

Who can find . . . ? This heading is the Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . The twenty-two verses which follow, each begin with the twenty-two successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The acrostic cannot be reproduced in English, because the letters of the two alphabets vary in their number, order, and equivalents. This is to emphasize the great lesson King Solomon was to learn. Note the warnings against foreign women (p. 865), which, alas! Solomon failed to heed. This is why the book... read more

E.W. Bullinger