Proverbs 31:11

KJV

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

KJV (with Strong's)

The heart {H3820} of her husband {H1167} doth safely trust {H982} in her, so that he shall have no need {H2637} of spoil {H7998}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Her husband trusts her from his heart, and she will prove a great asset to him.

Berean Standard Bible

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 31:11 describes the profound confidence and security a husband experiences due to the virtuous character and diligent actions of his wife. Her integrity and competence create an environment of complete trust, eliminating any need for him to seek external, often risky, gains or worry about the management of his household. This verse underscores the invaluable contribution of a capable and trustworthy spouse to the stability and prosperity of the family unit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the acrostic poem in [Proverbs 31:10-31](/proverbs/31 "Proverbs 31 - The Virtuous Woman"), which describes the "woman of valor" (אֵשֶׁת חַיִל, *ʼēšet ḥayil*). Following the initial declaration of her rare and precious value in [Proverbs 31:10](/proverbs/31-10 "Proverbs 31:10 - Who can find a virtuous woman?"), verse 11 immediately highlights the primary relational benefit of her character: the profound trust her husband places in her. The subsequent verses then elaborate on the specific ways she earns this trust through her industriousness, wisdom, and management of the household, demonstrating how her actions directly lead to his peace of mind and the family's flourishing. The poem builds a comprehensive portrait of a woman whose internal character is manifested in external, beneficial actions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, the household was the primary economic and social unit. The wife often played a crucial role in managing the domestic sphere, which included not only childcare and meal preparation but also significant economic activities such as weaving, trading, and overseeing servants. The husband, typically involved in public life, agriculture, or trade outside the home, relied heavily on his wife's diligent and wise management of the household. A woman who could effectively manage these responsibilities, contribute to the family's wealth, and maintain its reputation was highly valued. The concept of "spoil" (booty or plunder) often related to military conquest or risky ventures, suggesting that a well-managed home negated the desperate need for such dangerous means of acquiring wealth, providing a stable and secure foundation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Proverbs and the broader biblical narrative. It emphasizes the theme of **Trust and Reliability**, illustrating how consistent character and wise actions build a foundation of unwavering confidence within a relationship. It also highlights **Wisdom in Relationships**, showing that a spouse's wisdom (as described throughout [the book of Proverbs](/proverbs "The Book of Proverbs - Wisdom for Living")) directly impacts the well-being and security of their partner. Furthermore, it speaks to the theme of **Mutual Contribution and Complementarity in Marriage**, where the wife's excellence directly enables the husband's peace and ability to thrive in his own sphere, reflecting the ideal of two becoming one in a supportive and productive union (cf. [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - One Flesh")). The absence of "need of spoil" also subtly touches on the theme of **Contentment and Security**, suggesting that true wealth is found not in external acquisition but in the internal stability and integrity of the home.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heart (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** This word, H3820, refers to the innermost being of a person—not just the physical organ, but the seat of emotions, will, intellect, and moral character. When the text says the "heart of her husband doth safely trust in her," it signifies a deep, comprehensive, and settled confidence that permeates his entire being. It's not a superficial trust, but one that touches his core identity and sense of security.
* **Trust (Hebrew, _bâṭach'_):** This word, H982, conveys a strong sense of security, confidence, and leaning upon. It implies a firm reliance, a feeling of being bold and secure because of the object of trust. In this context, the husband's trust in his wife is not a fragile hope but a robust assurance, allowing him to be "careless" in the sense of being free from anxiety regarding her faithfulness and competence.
* **Spoil (Hebrew, _shâlâl'_):** This word, H7998, denotes booty, plunder, or gain, often acquired through conquest or risky endeavors. The phrase "no need of spoil" signifies that the wife's diligent and effective management of the household and her contributions to its prosperity are so substantial that the husband is freed from the anxiety or necessity of seeking additional, potentially dangerous or illicit, means of acquiring wealth. Her presence is his truest "gain."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her":** This clause establishes the central theme of profound confidence. The husband's innermost being, his very core, rests securely in his wife. This trust is not merely an assumption but is "safely" placed, implying it is well-founded and justified by her consistent character and actions. It speaks to a deep relational security that frees him from worry and anxiety regarding his domestic affairs.
* **"so that he shall have no need of spoil":** This second clause describes the tangible outcome and benefit of such trust. "Spoil" refers to plunder or gain, often acquired through risky or aggressive means. Because his wife is so capable, diligent, and trustworthy in managing the household and contributing to its well-being, the husband is liberated from the pressure or necessity to seek wealth through potentially dangerous, dishonest, or desperate avenues. Her effective stewardship and contribution provide such a robust foundation that he is financially and emotionally secure, lacking nothing essential from within his own home.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 31:11 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Metonymy** is present in "the heart of her husband," where "heart" stands for the entire person, signifying a deep, holistic trust that encompasses his emotions, intellect, and will. The phrase "no need of spoil" functions as **Hyperbole** or perhaps **Meiosis** (understatement for emphasis), emphasizing the completeness of the wife's contribution. While not literally meaning he will never need any external gain, it powerfully conveys that her management is so effective that he is freed from the *anxious pursuit* of wealth, especially through illicit or risky means. There is also an implicit **Contrast** between the stable, secure wealth generated by a virtuous wife and the precarious, often ill-gotten gains of "spoil." The entire verse also serves as a form of **Eulogy**, praising the profound positive impact of the woman of valor on her husband's life and the family's security.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse beautifully illustrates the biblical principle that a wise and virtuous spouse is a profound blessing from God, contributing significantly to the peace and prosperity of a household. It echoes the creation mandate for partnership and mutual support, where each spouse's strengths complement the other's, fostering a secure and flourishing environment. The trust described here is not passive but earned through consistent integrity and diligent work, reflecting God's own faithfulness which inspires trust in His people. This kind of relational security frees individuals to pursue their callings without the distraction of domestic anxiety, allowing for greater focus on God's purposes.

* [Proverbs 18:22](/proverbs/18-22 "Proverbs 18:22 - Finding a good wife is a favor from the Lord")
* [Proverbs 12:4](/proverbs/12-4 "Proverbs 12:4 - A wife of noble character is her husband's crown")
* [Psalm 112:7](/psalms/112-7 "Psalm 112:7 - He will not fear bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 31:11 offers a timeless vision for healthy, thriving relationships built on trust, competence, and mutual contribution. For individuals, it challenges us to cultivate qualities of integrity, diligence, and wisdom in our own lives, recognizing that these virtues are foundational to building strong relationships and secure homes, whether in marriage or other spheres. For spouses, it calls husbands to deeply value and trust their wives' contributions, and it encourages wives to be the kind of reliable and capable partners who inspire such confidence. This verse reminds us that true security comes not from external acquisitions but from the internal strength and character of those within our most intimate circles. It's a call to build homes where anxiety is minimized and flourishing is maximized through shared purpose and unwavering reliability.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I cultivate trust and reliability in my closest relationships?**
* **How does my character and diligence contribute to the peace and security of my home or community?**
* **What "spoils" or external gains might I be tempted to pursue out of anxiety, and how can I instead find security in God's provision and the strength of my relationships?**

### FAQ
**What does "no need of spoil" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: "No need of spoil" (Hebrew: *shâlâl*) signifies that the husband is freed from the anxiety or necessity of seeking additional wealth through risky, aggressive, or potentially illicit means. In ancient times, "spoil" often referred to plunder from war or dangerous ventures. Because his wife is so competent, diligent, and wise in managing the household and contributing to its prosperity, her efforts provide such a secure and abundant foundation that he is not driven by desperation or lack to acquire more through precarious methods. It speaks to a deep sense of contentment and security within the home, rather than a literal absence of all external gain. It highlights that the true "gain" is found in the stability and integrity of his domestic life, allowing him to focus on his own responsibilities without worry, as seen in [Proverbs 31:23](/proverbs/31-23 "Proverbs 31:23 - Her husband is known in the gates").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Proverbs 31:11 describes the earthly trust a husband places in his virtuous wife, it ultimately points to the ultimate and perfect trust we can place in Christ. Just as the virtuous wife provides security and frees her husband from the need for worldly "spoil," so too does Jesus, our divine Bridegroom, provide all we truly need, freeing us from the anxious pursuit of earthly security and fleeting gains. In Christ, our "heart" can safely trust, for He is utterly faithful, competent, and sovereign. He has secured for us an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An inheritance that is imperishable")). He is our true treasure, and in Him, we "shall have no need of spoil," for He is the one who "supplies all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God will supply all your needs")). Our security and true wealth are found not in what we can acquire or plunder, but in the finished work of the Lamb of God, who gave Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, making us rich in grace and eternal life ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor")). He is the foundation upon whom we can build our lives without fear, knowing that in Him, we are truly secure and eternally provided for.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 3:1

¶ Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

1 Peter 3:7

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

2 Kings 4:22

And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.

2 Kings 4:23

And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? [it is] neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, [It shall be] well.

2 Kings 4:9

And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this [is] an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.

2 Kings 4:10

Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.