Proverbs 31:14

KJV

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

KJV (with Strong's)

She is like the merchants {H5503}' ships {H591}; she bringeth {H935} her food {H3899} from afar {H4801}.

Complete Jewish Bible

She is like those merchant vessels, bringing her food from far away.

Berean Standard Bible

She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 31:14 vividly portrays the virtuous woman as an industrious and resourceful provider for her household, likening her to merchant ships that traverse great distances to acquire the finest goods. This verse highlights her proactive foresight, diligent effort, and shrewd economic acumen in securing high-quality provisions, ensuring the well-being and abundance of her family. It underscores her commitment to excellence in household management, extending her reach beyond immediate convenience to bring superior resources from afar.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 31:14 is an integral part of the concluding acrostic poem (verses 10-31) that describes the "virtuous woman" or "woman of valor" (Hebrew: *'eshet chayil*). This section serves as the culmination of the book of Proverbs, personifying wisdom in the form of an ideal wife and mother. Each verse, beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, adds another dimension to her multifaceted character, detailing her diligence, integrity, strength, compassion, and business acumen. This specific verse follows descriptions of her worth (verse 10), her husband's trust in her (verse 11), and her lifelong benefit to him (verse 12), setting the stage for a detailed exposition of her practical efforts in household provision. The imagery of trade and distant acquisition is consistent with the broader portrayal of her active engagement in the economic life of her family, as seen in her purchasing of fields and planting vineyards ([Proverbs 31:16](/proverbs/31-16 "Proverbs 31:16 - Her Business Acumen")), and her crafting and selling of garments ([Proverbs 31:24](/proverbs/31-24 "Proverbs 31:24 - Her Craftsmanship and Trade")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, household provision was a primary responsibility, often involving significant labor and strategic planning. The imagery of "merchants' ships" is particularly potent, evoking the vibrant long-distance trade routes of the ancient Near East. Ships were essential for importing valuable commodities like exotic spices, fine textiles, precious metals, and specialized foodstuffs from distant lands such as Egypt, Phoenicia, and Mesopotamia. These goods were often superior in quality or unavailable locally, signifying luxury, discernment, and significant investment. For a woman to be compared to such an enterprise underscored her exceptional capability and foresight, as she was not merely providing basic sustenance but actively seeking out and acquiring the best for her family, mirroring the strategic efforts of a successful international trader. This contrasts sharply with a subsistence-level existence, emphasizing her elevated status and skill in managing resources.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Proverbs 31 and the broader book. **Diligence and Resourcefulness** are paramount, as the woman does not passively accept what is at hand but actively seeks out superior provisions, demonstrating an enterprising spirit. This aligns with the book's consistent commendation of hard work and condemnation of idleness, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 6:6-11](/proverbs/6-6-11 "Proverbs 6:6-11 - The Sluggard and the Ant"). The theme of **Foresight and Prudent Planning** is evident in her strategic acquisition of food "from afar," indicating a proactive approach to anticipating and meeting her family's future needs, a hallmark of wisdom throughout Proverbs. Her actions also reflect a strong sense of **Stewardship and Economic Acumen**, as she effectively manages resources to maximize benefit for her household, echoing the value placed on wise financial management in verses such as [Proverbs 21:20](/proverbs/21-20 "Proverbs 21:20 - The Wise Store Up Wealth"). Ultimately, the verse illustrates the theme of **Comprehensive Care and Provision**, showcasing a woman whose efforts extend broadly to ensure the holistic well-being and prosperity of her family, embodying the practical outworking of divine wisdom in daily life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Merchants (Hebrew, _çâchar'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to travel round," specifically as a pedlar or trader. This word signifies active engagement in commerce, involving movement, negotiation, and the pursuit of goods for profit or exchange. In this context, it highlights the woman's active, entrepreneurial spirit in seeking out and acquiring the best for her household, rather than merely waiting for provisions to come to her.
* **Ships (Hebrew, _ʼŏnîyâh'_):** The feminine form of a word for a ship. Ships were the primary means of long-distance trade in the ancient world, capable of carrying large quantities of goods across seas and rivers. Their inclusion here emphasizes the scale, distance, and effort involved in the woman's provision. It speaks to her capacity to "import" the best, implying a reach and resourcefulness far beyond typical domestic boundaries.
* **Food (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** This term broadly refers to sustenance, including bread, grain, or general provisions for humans or animals. While literally meaning "bread," it often functions as a synecdoche for all necessary provisions. The focus on "food" underscores the fundamental nature of her provision—meeting essential needs—but the context of "from afar" implies that this food is not just any sustenance, but of superior quality or variety, obtained through significant effort.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"She is like the merchants' ships;":** This clause establishes a powerful **metaphor**, comparing the virtuous woman not merely to a merchant, but to the *ships* themselves. This implies that she is the *vehicle* or *means* by which valuable provisions are brought into the home. Like these vessels, she is characterized by movement, enterprise, and the capacity to traverse distances to acquire what is needed. The comparison highlights her active, outward-looking, and strategic role in the family's economy, emphasizing her diligence and the scope of her efforts.
* **"she bringeth her food from afar.":** This clause explains the purpose and outcome of the preceding comparison. The "food" (Hebrew: *lechem*) represents all necessary provisions and sustenance for the household. The phrase "from afar" (Hebrew: *merchâq*) signifies distant places, implying that the best or most suitable provisions are not always found locally or conveniently. This demonstrates her foresight, her willingness to exert significant effort, and her commitment to quality. She is not content with merely adequate supplies but actively seeks out superior options, ensuring the abundance and well-being of her family through diligent acquisition.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 31:14 makes rich use of literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the virtuous woman is directly compared to "the merchants' ships." This comparison is not merely illustrative but deeply descriptive, attributing to her the qualities associated with such vessels: enterprise, far-reaching influence, and the capacity to bring valuable goods from distant places. This creates vivid **Imagery** of a bustling port and ships laden with exotic cargo, underscoring the woman's active, outward-looking, and resourceful nature. Furthermore, there is an element of **Personification** in describing her as an active agent who "bringeth her food," endowing her with the entrepreneurial spirit and strategic planning typically associated with merchants themselves. The verse also employs **Hyperbole** to some extent, as it's unlikely a woman would literally send ships; rather, it exaggerates her diligence and scope of provision to emphasize her exceptional character and commitment to her family's welfare.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse beautifully illustrates the biblical principle of diligent and proactive stewardship within the household. It elevates the often-overlooked domestic sphere to a realm of strategic importance, where wisdom is applied not just in spiritual matters but in the practicalities of daily provision. The virtuous woman embodies a theology of effort and excellence, demonstrating that true wisdom is active, seeking out the best for those under one's care. Her actions reflect a deep understanding that provision is not merely about meeting basic needs, but about thriving, achieved through foresight and a willingness to invest significant effort. This proactive approach to life's responsibilities is a recurring theme in wisdom literature, emphasizing that God's blessing often follows human diligence and prudent management.

* [Proverbs 10:4](/proverbs/10-4 "Proverbs 10:4 - Diligence Brings Wealth")
* [1 Timothy 5:8](/1-timothy/5-8 "1 Timothy 5:8 - Providing for One's Own")
* [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seeking First the Kingdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 31:14 offers a timeless principle for all believers: the call to diligent, resourceful, and proactive stewardship in our spheres of influence. While the literal context is household provision, the underlying wisdom encourages us to be intentional and excellent in all our responsibilities, whether in family, work, or ministry. It challenges us to move beyond mere convenience or immediate availability, inspiring us to seek out the best resources, knowledge, and opportunities to benefit those we serve. This means investing time in planning, researching, and putting forth effort to ensure quality and abundance, not just sufficiency. It's about being discerning and strategic, recognizing that true care often requires going "afar" – metaphorically speaking – to acquire what is truly valuable and beneficial for our spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being, and that of those entrusted to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I settling for convenience when greater effort could yield better results for myself or others?**
* **How can I cultivate more foresight and proactive planning in my responsibilities, whether at home, work, or in my community?**
* **What "food from afar" – whether knowledge, resources, or spiritual insights – am I willing to seek out diligently to enrich my life and the lives of those around me?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that she is "like the merchants' ships"?**

Answer: This phrase is a powerful **metaphor** comparing the virtuous woman to the large, ocean-going vessels used for international trade in ancient times. These ships were crucial for bringing valuable, often exotic, and high-quality goods from distant lands. The comparison highlights her exceptional diligence, foresight, and resourcefulness in providing for her household. It means she doesn't just use what's immediately available or convenient; instead, she actively and strategically seeks out the best provisions, even if it requires significant effort or looking beyond her immediate surroundings, ensuring her family receives superior quality and abundance.

**Is this verse only applicable to women or to literal food provision?**

Answer: While the immediate context describes a "virtuous woman" providing "food," the underlying principles are broadly applicable. The verse uses a specific cultural image to convey universal virtues: **diligence, foresight, resourcefulness, strategic planning, and a commitment to excellence in provision**. These qualities are valuable for anyone, regardless of gender or specific role, who is responsible for the well-being of others or managing resources. "Food" can be understood metaphorically to include any form of sustenance or provision—spiritual, emotional, intellectual, or material—that contributes to the flourishing of a family, community, or organization. The essence is about proactive, high-quality stewardship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 31:14, with its depiction of diligent provision, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the virtuous woman brings physical food from afar, Christ is the [true Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") who came down from heaven to provide spiritual sustenance for all humanity. He is the ultimate provider, not merely bringing provisions from a distant land, but Himself being the very essence of life and nourishment, freely given. Just as the woman goes to great lengths to secure the best for her family, Christ, in His infinite love, traversed the ultimate distance from heaven to earth, enduring the cross, to bring us salvation and eternal life ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). He is the one who "bringeth her food from afar" in a spiritual sense, offering living water ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus Offers Living Water")) and the very words of eternal life ([John 6:68](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Peter's Confession")). Furthermore, the church, as the bride of Christ, is called to embody a similar spirit of diligent provision, not for physical food, but for spiritual nourishment, faithfully sharing the Gospel and discipling believers, bringing the "good news from afar" to a hungry world ([Romans 10:15](/romans/10-15 "Romans 10:15 - How Shall They Hear Without a Preacher?")).

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

Proverbs 31:24

She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

1 Kings 9:26

And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which [is] beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.

1 Kings 9:28

And they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought [it] to king Solomon.

Ezekiel 27:3

And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, [which art] a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I [am] of perfect beauty.

Ezekiel 27:36

The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never [shalt be] any more.

2 Chronicles 9:10

And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones.