Proverbs 11:16

¶ A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong [men] retain riches.

A gracious {H2580} woman {H802} retaineth {H8551} honour {H3519}: and strong {H6184} men retain {H8551} riches {H6239}.

A gracious woman obtains honor; aggressive men obtain wealth.

A gracious woman attains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.

A gracious woman obtaineth honor; And violent men obtain riches.

Commentary

Proverbs 11:16 presents a powerful antithetical proverb, drawing a stark contrast between two very different paths to influence and legacy: one built on character and the other on material acquisition. It highlights the lasting value of inner virtue versus the often-fleeting nature of worldly wealth.

Context

This verse is part of the book of Proverbs, which is largely comprised of short, pithy sayings designed to impart wisdom and instruct in righteous living. Many proverbs, like this one, use antithetical parallelism, where two contrasting ideas are presented to emphasize a moral truth. Here, the contrast is between the lasting honor gained by a virtuous character and the potentially unstable or ill-gotten wealth accumulated by force.

Key Themes

  • The Enduring Value of Character: The "gracious woman" (Hebrew: chên, meaning favor, charm, grace, kindness) embodies virtues that earn genuine and lasting respect. Her honor is not external or fleeting but is deeply rooted in her inner qualities and actions. This type of honor is a reflection of her wisdom and moral uprightness, which brings true societal esteem.
  • The Nature of True Honor: The verse suggests that honor, derived from grace and good character, is retained and endures. This contrasts sharply with the acquisition of riches, which, while providing temporary power or comfort, do not inherently confer honor and can be lost. True honor is a spiritual and relational asset, not a material one.
  • Feminine Virtue and Societal Impact: The depiction of the "gracious woman" underscores the significant and positive influence women of character have within their communities. Her grace contributes to a stable and respectful social fabric, embodying a wisdom that is more precious than rubies or fine gold.
  • The Contrast of Wealth Acquisition: "Strong [men]" (Hebrew: 'aritzim, often translated as ruthless, violent, or tyrannical ones) refers to those who obtain and hold wealth through power, intimidation, or even oppression. While they may "retain riches" for a time, their method of acquisition often lacks honor and can lead to instability or moral decay, underscoring the proverb's implied warning about the source and nature of wealth.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "gracious" (חֵן - chen) implies more than just outward beauty; it speaks of favor, charm, and kindness, often reflecting an inner spiritual quality that garners goodwill and respect. The phrase "strong [men]" translates from עָרִיצִים ('aritzim), which more accurately refers to the ruthless, violent, or tyrannical. This nuance highlights the stark contrast: honor is retained by grace, while riches are often retained by force or oppression. The KJV's "strong men" softens the original Hebrew's more negative connotation of oppressive power.

Practical Application

This proverb encourages us to prioritize character over material possessions. For individuals, it emphasizes that genuine respect and lasting influence come from integrity, kindness, and wisdom, not from the size of one's bank account or physical prowess. For communities, it suggests that a society valuing virtue and grace will be more stable and honorable than one obsessed with acquiring wealth by any means. It reminds us that while riches can take flight, a good name and a virtuous character are enduring treasures that cannot be stolen or depreciated.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 31:30 (8 votes)

    Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

  • Proverbs 31:31 (8 votes)

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

  • Luke 10:42 (5 votes)

    But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

  • Acts 16:14 (3 votes)

    And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard [us]: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

  • Acts 16:15 (3 votes)

    And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought [us], saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide [there]. And she constrained us.

  • 1 Samuel 25:32 (2 votes)

    ¶ And David said to Abigail, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:

  • 1 Samuel 25:33 (2 votes)

    And blessed [be] thy advice, and blessed [be] thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to [shed] blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.