Proverbs 31:30

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:30

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain ,.... A well favoured look, a graceful countenance, symmetry and proportion of parts, natural or artificial beauty, are vain and deceitful; oftentimes under them lies an ill natured, deformed, and depraved mind; nor is the pleasure and satisfaction enjoyed as is promised along with these; and particularly how do they fade F5 "Forma bonum fragile est", Ovid. de Arte Amandi, l. 2. and consume away by a fit of illness, and through old age, and at... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 31:30

Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, etc. - 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 31:10-31

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:30

SHIN . The writer confirms the husband's praise by assigning to it its just grounds. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain. Chen, "favour," may signify either the good will with which one is regarded, or gracefulness, beauty. As being in close parallelism with the next words, it is best taken as referring to loveliness of form. Mere gracefulness, if considered as a token of a wife's work and usefulness, is misleading; and beauty is transitory and often dangerous. Neither of them is of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 31:30

Rival attractions Lemuel's mother warns her son against the fascinations of superficial charms in his choice of a wife, and points to the attractiveness of a God-fearing woman. I. THE VANITY OF BEAUTY . 1 . It is but temporary. The bloom of beauty fades with youth; but a wife is to be a man's helpmeet throughout life, and, if both are spared, his companion in age. In making a choice for life a man should consider enduring traits. 2 . It is superficial. Beauty of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 31:29-30

Proverbs 31:29-30. Many daughters have done virtuously Daughters of men, that is, women, so called, Genesis 34:1; Ezekiel 30:18; but thou excellest them all Her husband esteems it but just, that his praises should bear proportion to her real and manifold excellences. Favour Comeliness, which commonly gives women favour with those who behold them. Deceitful It gives a false representation of the person, being often a cover to a deformed soul; it does not give a man that satisfaction... read more

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