Proverbs31

Proverbs 31 begins with King Lemuel's mother's counsel, urging him to avoid destructive women and strong drink, and to uphold justice for the poor and afflicted. The chapter then transitions to a detailed description of a virtuous woman, whose worth is far above rubies. She is characterized by diligence, wisdom, generosity, and a deep commitment to her household and the fear of the Lord, earning her praise from her family and community.

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Advice from King Lemuel's Mother

The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?

Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.

Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.

The Woman of Valor (Eshet Hayil)

A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.

She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.

She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.

She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable; Her lamp goeth not out by night.

She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husbandalso, and he praiseth her, saying:

Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.

Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; Buta woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.

Study Notes for Proverbs 31

Verse 1

Lemuel is unknown outside this passage. The text attributes this wisdom to the king's mother, emphasizing the profound influence of maternal instruction in royal education.

Verse 2

The triple rhetorical question emphasizes the depth of the mother's concern and the solemn responsibility placed on the son, who was perhaps dedicated to God ('son of my vows').

Verse 3

This warns against sexual promiscuity and indulgence in relationships that deplete a king’s moral and physical resources, a common failing among ancient monarchs.

Verse 4

Kings must maintain clear judgment to ensure justice (Deut 17:14-20). Alcohol clouds the mind, making impartial rule impossible.

Verse 5

To 'forget the law' means to neglect the covenant responsibilities of a righteous ruler, leading directly to the miscarriage of justice for the vulnerable.

Verse 6

This provides a contrast: while rulers must be sober, strong drink is appropriate as a palliative for the desperately suffering or dying, offering temporary relief from extreme misery.

Verse 8

The king's primary duty is social justice. He must use his royal authority ('Open thy mouth') to advocate for the voiceless, the vulnerable, and those condemned unjustly.

Verse 10

This verse introduces the famous acrostic poem (Vv. 10–31). The Hebrew *’ēšet ḥayil* means 'woman of strength' or 'woman of worth,' signifying her moral and practical competence.

Verse 11

Her trustworthiness is complete. Because she manages resources so well, her husband has no need to acquire wealth dishonestly ('spoil') or worry about domestic security.

Verse 13

She is proactive and industrious, involved in textile production from the raw materials (wool and flax), highlighting her direct labor and management skills.

Verse 14

This metaphor emphasizes her shrewdness and foresight; she acquires the best provisions through careful planning, ensuring high quality and abundance for her family.

Verse 16

She is an astute businesswoman, capable of evaluating and investing in property using the profits of her own labor, demonstrating financial independence and competence.

Verse 18

Her constant diligence is symbolized by her working late into the night. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable and is motivated by success.

Verse 20

Her industry is balanced by compassion. Her wealth and competence are used to actively support the poor and needy in the community, demonstrating practical piety.

Verse 21

'Scarlet' (or double-dyed clothing) indicates warmth and quality. Her preparations are thorough and luxurious, protecting her family from hardship (the 'snow').

Verse 23

Her competence and standing reflect positively on her husband, who gains public respect and leisure time to participate in civic governance ('in the gates') because his domestic affairs are impeccable.

Verse 25

Her true clothing is moral strength and dignity. She faces the future ('time to come') with confidence because her character and preparations are sound.

Verse 26

Her speech is characterized by wisdom and instruction. Her management style is marked by kindness and grace, showing she instructs and manages her household through gentle authority.

Verse 28

The primary sources of her honor are her family. The blessing and praise from her children and husband validate her role and contribution.

Verse 30

This is the theological conclusion: outward appearance (beauty) is fleeting. True, lasting praise and worth come only from reverence for God ('feareth the LORD').

Verse 31

The final instruction demands public recognition for her efforts. Her accomplishments should be acknowledged openly in the public sphere ('the gates'), confirming her societal value.

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Proverbs31

Advice from King Lemuel's Mother

The Woman of Valor (Eshet Hayil)

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