Proverbs 31:31

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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 31:31

Proverbs 31:31. Give her of the fruit of her hands— In these latter verses, the sacred writer expresses the felicity of this virtuous woman, dutiful children, a grateful and affectionate husband (Proverbs 31:28.); general esteem and approbation (Pro 31:30). Some render this verse, Men reward her from the fruit of her hands; her works shall celebrate her in the gate. i.e. "The single recital of her good works will "compose her sufficient eulogy." Behold here, then, the picture of a virtuous... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 31:31

31. The result of her labor is her best eulogy. Nothing can add to the simple beauty of this admirable portrait. On the measure of its realization in the daughters of our own day rest untold results, in the domestic, and, therefore, the civil and religious, welfare of the people. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 31:1-31

VII. COLLECTION 7: THE WISDOM OF LEMUEL CH. 31Some commentators have regarded only the first nine verses of this chapter as Lemuel’s writing. One reason for this is that the Septuagint translators separated Proverbs 31:1-9 from Proverbs 31:10-31 by five chapters (chs. 25-29). However, the Hebrew text implies that Lemuel wrote the whole chapter since it connects these two sections. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 31:10-31

C. The wise woman 31:10-31There is much in Proverbs about unwise women. Solomon personified both wisdom and folly as women earlier (chs. 8-9). Perhaps God wanted us to finish reading this book-assured that women are not essentially evil or foolish-but that they can be very good, wise, and admirable. Jewish husbands and children traditionally recited this poem at the Sabbath table on Friday evenings. [Note: Y. Levin, "’The Woman of Valor’ in Jewish Ritual [Proverbs 31:10-31]," Beth Mikra 31... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 31:30-31

Here is the key to her greatness (Proverbs 31:30). Charm can be misleading because it promises a lifetime of happiness but cannot deliver, and physical beauty is only temporary. But the fear of Yahweh is the indispensable core of a woman like this. Though she does not fear the natural elements (Proverbs 31:21), she does fear the Lord. Such a woman deserves to share in the fruits of her labors and to receive public recognition for her greatness (Proverbs 31:31).A wise woman will enjoy many... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 31:1-31

The Mother of Lemuel. The Excellent Woman1-9. An exhortation addressed to king Lemuel by his mother, urging him to avoid women and wine. The latter leads to slackness and unfairness in the administration of justice.’1. Read the title thus: ’The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him.’ It is possible that the Massa of Genesis 25:14 is meant. 2. The repeated What? appears to point to an inclination towards these excesses. Son of my vows] see 1 Samuel 1:11.3. Read, ’Give not... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Proverbs 31:31

(31) Give her of the fruit of her hands—i.e., honour her for her noble life, “and let her own works praise her in the gates;” let them be recounted when men meet together; the mere mention of them will be sufficient, as no words could add anything to her praise. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:1-31

CHAPTER 32A GOOD WOMAN"O woman-hearts, that keep the days of old In living memory, can you stand back When Christ calls? Shall the heavenly Master lack The serving love, which is your life’s fine gold?""Do you forget the hand which placed the crown Of happy freedom on the woman’s head And took her from the dying and the dead, Lifting the wounded soul long trodden down?""Do you forget who bade the morning break, And snapped the fetters of the iron years? The Savior calls for service from your... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Proverbs 31:1-31

VII. THE WORDS OF KING LEMUEL TAUGHT HIM BY HIS MOTHER CHAPTER 31 The Virtuous Woman “The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him”; this is the superscription of this chapter. Who is King Lemuel? No king by that name is known. We do not hesitate in saying that it is Solomon. It means “unto God” one who is devoted to the Lord. In all probability Solomon’s mother called her boy by this name, and here is the record therefore of the instruction given by Solomon’s mother. The... read more

Group of Brands