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Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. 10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
KJV Commentary
Verses 1-4
Despite the fact that nothing is known elsewhere of Lemuel, there is no good reason for refusing to recognize the term as a proper name. The exact meaning of the name is uncertain, but it probably contains the idea of belonging to God or dedicated to God.
What, my son? … Give not thy strength. The exclamations are affectionately reproachful. The mother reminds him of truths she has taught and the shame that will be his if he allows that instruction to slip from him. He is of great importance to her (vs. 2a), and she has vowed him to God (vs. 2b). Therefore, he must take heed to not give himself to that which destroyeth.
Verses 5-7
The drinking of wine will lead to the perversion of justice (Isa 5:22, 23). Wine should only be given to him that is ready to perish, for this represents an advantageous use of God's gift. (cf. I Tim 5:23). The pious women of Jerusalem used to offer wine to those condemned to crucifixion in order to deaden their misery. This was offered to the Lord Jesus (Mt 27:34), but he refused it; for He wished to keep His mind clear to the last as He took upon himself the sins of all mankind.
Verses 8-9
Open thy mouth for the dumb. The dumb are those who cannot get a fair hearing for themselves (lit., the insecure and timid). Since they may be crushed by their antagonists, speak on their behalf. Plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Verses 10-27
This section is written in the form of an acrostic; the composition is constructed with 22 verses. The initial letter of each couplet follows the normal order of the Hebrew alphabet. The thought of 28:22 is probably a distinct section, and not a continuation of the teachings of Lemuel's mother.
Who can find a virtuous woman? The Hebrew chayil is translated in other places as strong, wealthy, and able. Literally, the question asks, Who can find a fine wife?
So that he shall have no need of spoil (lit., shall have no lack of gain). His substance is constantly increasing because of the prudent care she exercises over his resources.
And worketh willingly with her hands. She enjoys providing for her family and therefore works uncomplainingly. Her activities apparently extend beyond those normally associated with the housewife. Like the merchants' ships is probably idiomatic for her work beyond the domestic context (William McKane, Proverbs, p. 667). She seeketh wool … considereth a field, and buyeth it. The virtuous wife is efficient in matters of business. She is famous for the way she looks after her household, and her priorities dictate the investment of her energies there (vss. 13, 19, 21, 22, 27, 28). She provides her family with adequate clothing (vss. 21-22). The term scarlet probably suggests quality. She is energetic in meeting the needs of her family and confident in her ability to meet the challenges of the future (vs. 25). She is keenly alive to the sorrows of the needy and aids them with all her power.
She so enhances the performance of her husband that he is well known in the gates (vs. 23). Free from domestic squabbling, he is able to contribute to public life.
Verses 28-31
Verses 28 and 29 describe the praise which this excellent woman receives from her husband and sons. Verse 29 is a statement from the husband.
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain. Charm and beauty are not abiding attributes and are therefore not worthy of praise. Contrasted with them is the disposition to fear the Lord. This disposition has eternal consequences and is therefore worthy of praise. The real worth of a woman is her devotion to God. She should be given the praise she deserves. She is no slave of a master husband, but a person in her own right who takes a full and honored place in the life of home and Community (Marvin Tate, The Broadman Commentary, Proverbs, p. 99).
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. 10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
KJV Commentary
Verses 1-4
Despite the fact that nothing is known elsewhere of Lemuel, there is no good reason for refusing to recognize the term as a proper name. The exact meaning of the name is uncertain, but it probably contains the idea of belonging to God or dedicated to God.
What, my son? … Give not thy strength. The exclamations are affectionately reproachful. The mother reminds him of truths she has taught and the shame that will be his if he allows that instruction to slip from him. He is of great importance to her (vs. 2a), and she has vowed him to God (vs. 2b). Therefore, he must take heed to not give himself to that which destroyeth.
Verses 5-7
The drinking of wine will lead to the perversion of justice (Isa 5:22, 23). Wine should only be given to him that is ready to perish, for this represents an advantageous use of God's gift. (cf. I Tim 5:23). The pious women of Jerusalem used to offer wine to those condemned to crucifixion in order to deaden their misery. This was offered to the Lord Jesus (Mt 27:34), but he refused it; for He wished to keep His mind clear to the last as He took upon himself the sins of all mankind.
Verses 8-9
Open thy mouth for the dumb. The dumb are those who cannot get a fair hearing for themselves (lit., the insecure and timid). Since they may be crushed by their antagonists, speak on their behalf. Plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Verses 10-27
This section is written in the form of an acrostic; the composition is constructed with 22 verses. The initial letter of each couplet follows the normal order of the Hebrew alphabet. The thought of 28:22 is probably a distinct section, and not a continuation of the teachings of Lemuel's mother.
Who can find a virtuous woman? The Hebrew chayil is translated in other places as strong, wealthy, and able. Literally, the question asks, Who can find a fine wife?
So that he shall have no need of spoil (lit., shall have no lack of gain). His substance is constantly increasing because of the prudent care she exercises over his resources.
And worketh willingly with her hands. She enjoys providing for her family and therefore works uncomplainingly. Her activities apparently extend beyond those normally associated with the housewife. Like the merchants' ships is probably idiomatic for her work beyond the domestic context (William McKane, Proverbs, p. 667). She seeketh wool … considereth a field, and buyeth it. The virtuous wife is efficient in matters of business. She is famous for the way she looks after her household, and her priorities dictate the investment of her energies there (vss. 13, 19, 21, 22, 27, 28). She provides her family with adequate clothing (vss. 21-22). The term scarlet probably suggests quality. She is energetic in meeting the needs of her family and confident in her ability to meet the challenges of the future (vs. 25). She is keenly alive to the sorrows of the needy and aids them with all her power.
She so enhances the performance of her husband that he is well known in the gates (vs. 23). Free from domestic squabbling, he is able to contribute to public life.
Verses 28-31
Verses 28 and 29 describe the praise which this excellent woman receives from her husband and sons. Verse 29 is a statement from the husband.
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain. Charm and beauty are not abiding attributes and are therefore not worthy of praise. Contrasted with them is the disposition to fear the Lord. This disposition has eternal consequences and is therefore worthy of praise. The real worth of a woman is her devotion to God. She should be given the praise she deserves. She is no slave of a master husband, but a person in her own right who takes a full and honored place in the life of home and Community (Marvin Tate, The Broadman Commentary, Proverbs, p. 99).
