Proverbs 31:24

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

She maketh {H6213} fine linen {H5466}, and selleth {H4376} it; and delivereth {H5414} girdles {H2289} unto the merchant {H3669}.

She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchants with sashes.

She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.

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

Commentary

Proverbs 31:24 (KJV) offers a glimpse into the industrious nature of the virtuous woman, highlighting her economic contributions and business acumen. This verse states, "She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant."

Context

This verse is part of the extended poetic acrostic (each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet) found in Proverbs 31:10-31, which describes the "virtuous woman" or "woman of valor" (*eshet chayil*). This passage, traditionally attributed to King Lemuel's mother, paints a comprehensive picture of an ideal wife and mother who manages her household with wisdom, diligence, and foresight. Verse 24 specifically moves beyond her domestic duties to reveal her engagement in profitable ventures outside the home, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and financial contribution to the family's well-being.

Key Themes

  • Industriousness and Productivity: The verse emphasizes her active engagement in productive labor. She is not idle but creates valuable goods, showing her tireless effort and commitment to her household's prosperity. This aligns with the broader theme of diligence throughout Proverbs, such as in Proverbs 12:24.
  • Business Acumen and Entrepreneurship: By "maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant," she demonstrates a clear understanding of production, trade, and market needs. She is a producer and a seller, engaging in commerce to generate income for her family, showcasing her financial foresight and ability to manage resources.
  • Quality and Value: "Fine linen" (Hebrew: shesh or butz) was a luxurious and expensive fabric, often associated with royalty and wealth. "Girdles" (Hebrew: chagor) were essential and often decorative belts. Her production of such items suggests high-quality craftsmanship and a valuable contribution to the economy, indicating that her work was not merely busywork but produced goods of significant worth.

Linguistic Insights

The term "fine linen" refers to a high-grade textile, likely imported, signifying luxury and quality. The word for "merchant" in Hebrew, *Kena'aniy*, literally means "Canaanite," a term that became synonymous with "trader" due to the Canaanites' historical reputation for commerce. This detail underscores her engagement in formal, perhaps even international, trade rather than just local bartering.

Practical Application

Proverbs 31:24 inspires believers to cultivate diligence, skills, and a strong work ethic. It affirms that productive work, whether within the home or in the marketplace, is honorable and contributes significantly to family and community well-being. This verse encourages individuals to use their talents wisely, develop entrepreneurial skills, and contribute financially through honest labor, much like the virtuous woman considers a field and buys it. It highlights that a person's value is often reflected in their willingness to work hard and manage resources effectively for the benefit of others.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 27:16

    Syria [was] thy merchant by reason of the multitude of the wares of thy making: they occupied in thy fairs with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate.

  • Judges 14:12

    And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find [it] out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:

  • Luke 16:19

    There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

  • Proverbs 31:19

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

  • 1 Kings 10:28

    And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.

  • Proverbs 31:13

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