¶ A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.
A virtuous {H2428} woman {H802} is a crown {H5850} to her husband {H1167}: but she that maketh ashamed {H954} is as rottenness {H7538} in his bones {H6106}.
A capable wife is a crown for her husband, but a shameful one is like rot in his bones.
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.
A worthy woman is the crown of her husband; But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
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Proverbs 14:30
¶ A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. -
Proverbs 14:1
¶ Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. -
Proverbs 31:10
¶ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies. -
Proverbs 31:25
Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. -
1 Corinthians 11:11
Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. -
1 Corinthians 11:7
For a man indeed ought not to cover [his] head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. -
Proverbs 21:9
¶ [It is] better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
Proverbs 12:4 offers profound wisdom regarding the impact of a wife's character on her husband's life and reputation. This verse, characteristic of the book of Proverbs, presents a stark contrast between two types of women and their respective effects on a marriage and family.
Context
The Book of Proverbs is a collection of ancient Israelite wisdom literature, offering practical advice for living a life of integrity, righteousness, and discernment. It frequently employs parallelism, contrasting the wise with the foolish, and the righteous with the wicked, to illustrate the consequences of different choices. Proverbs 12:4 is situated within a broader discourse on the qualities that build up or tear down individuals, families, and communities. In ancient society, a man's standing was often tied to the character and conduct of his household, making the wife's role particularly significant.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
Practical Application
Proverbs 12:4 offers timeless wisdom for individuals in and approaching marriage: