This is a short look into the keywords from chapter 31:10-31, discovering the deeper meanings of what the author of Proverbs was conveying. The words in this study are taken from the original Hebrew text and, therefore, may vary from English translations. Each of the verses from the Hebrew text are in bold type, and words inside { } are added for syntax in modern translations.
Verse 10
A woman able, who can find? And her value is far above gems.
value: merchandise
from a root word: to sell, to surrender
What does the word able mean?
A force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength. The word is rendered as able, activity, army, band of men or soldiers, company, great forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, valiant, valor, virtuous, war, worthy throughout the Scriptures. So, a woman who is able is held in high esteem in the physical world, but especially so in the eyes of God. (see Luke 1:28-30)
Verse 11
Her husband’s heart trusts in her, so that {of} gain he has no lack.
from a root word: the heart; the most interior organ; to be courageous, to be tenderhearted, to have understanding
husband: a married man; master, lord, man, a man sworn
trusts: to be confident, to be sure, to be bold, to hope
gain: booty; prey
Verse 12
She deals to him good and not evil, all the days of her life.
good: beautiful, best, better, cheerful, joyful, loving
evil: adversity, affliction calamity, grief, harm
Verse 13
wool: literal wool
from an unused root word: to be shaggy
flax: linen
delight: to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt
palms: the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole of the foot, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power
from a primitive root word: to curve
What is the significance of the palm?
A palm is used to hold something.
An open palm can give and/or receive, whereas a closed palm, i.e. a fist, can neither give nor receive. Also, a fist is symbolic of violence. Hence, the road to Jerusalem being laden with palm leaves upon Jesus’ entry on the colt were meant to convey that he was bringing peace to the city.
Verse 14
ships: a ship; a floating vessel
merchants: a buckler, one who laid borders
This verse seems to throw out the 1950’s model, having us believe that the man had to be the sole breadwinner for the family. June Cleaver never left the house, but the virtuous woman is free to go about to sell her wares to the merchants.
Verse 15
game: the chase; (generally) lunch (especially for a journey); to lie alongside (i.e. in wait); to catch an animal (figuratively, men)
household: family, daughter, home, palace, place
from a root word: to build, to obtain children
decree: an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
maidens: damsel, a young woman, a girl from infancy to adolescence
from an unused root word: to be shaggy
flax: linen
delight: to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt
palms: the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole of the foot, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power
from a primitive root word: to curve
What is the significance of the palm?
A palm is used to hold something.
An open palm can give and/or receive, whereas a closed palm, i.e. a fist, can neither give nor receive. Also, a fist is symbolic of violence. Hence, the road to Jerusalem being laden with palm leaves upon Jesus’ entry on the colt were meant to convey that he was bringing peace to the city.
Verse 14
She is like the ships merchant. From afar she brings in her food.
ships: a ship; a floating vessel
merchants: a buckler, one who laid borders
from a primitive root word: to travel round (specifically as a peddler)
This verse seems to throw out the 1950’s model, having us believe that the man had to be the sole breadwinner for the family. June Cleaver never left the house, but the virtuous woman is free to go about to sell her wares to the merchants.
Verse 15
She also rises while {it is} still night, and gives game to her household, and a decree to her maidens.
household: family, daughter, home, palace, place
from a root word: to build, to obtain children
decree: an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
from a primitive root word: to hack, i.e. engrave (Judg.5v14, to be a scribe simply); by implication, to enact (laws being cut in stone or metal tablets in primitive times) or (generally) prescribe
maidens: damsel, a young woman, a girl from infancy to adolescence
What is a decree?
The secular definition is: an order with the power of legislation issued by a ruler or other person or group with authority. Also, in Christian belief: the will or purpose of God, interpreted through events considered to be God's doing.
This means she makes sure that her family eats well, and lays out a plan for her household to follow, particularly those not old enough to go to school/job. (This verse could easily be used to describe home school moms!)
Verse 16
She has examined a field and takes it. From the fruit of her palms she plants a vineyard.
The secular definition is: an order with the power of legislation issued by a ruler or other person or group with authority. Also, in Christian belief: the will or purpose of God, interpreted through events considered to be God's doing.
Synonyms include: ruling, verdict, announcement, pronouncement, declaration, judgment, diktat, order, law, command, proclamation, statute.
This means she makes sure that her family eats well, and lays out a plan for her household to follow, particularly those not old enough to go to school/job. (This verse could easily be used to describe home school moms!)
She has examined a field and takes it. From the fruit of her palms she plants a vineyard.
examined: to plan, imagine, purpose (in the heart), to think
field: country, ground, land, soil
from a root word: to spread out
fruit: a bough or branch
from a root word: to bring forth fruit, to grow, to increase
vineyard: a garden, vines
What does it mean for her to take it?
The word is rendered as: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, enfold, many, mingle, place, receive, reserve, seize, send for, take (away, up), use, and win, in other verses throughout Scripture. (The phrase from the fruit of her palms symbolizes the work she pursued in the planting of the physical garden, as well as any monies she received from the selling of her goods.)
There is no mention, or implication, that she has to have her husband’s permission to contemplate the purchase, or the permission to actually acquire it. This verse says that a woman that is acting in the best interest of her family, and already has the trust of her husband, does not have to seek his approval, because her wisdom in such matters are already established.
Verse 17
girded: to put on, as in a belt or armor; to be appointed, to restrain on every side
loins: the waist or small of the back
from an unused root word: to be slender
strengthened: boldness, might, power, strong; to apply force, security, majesty, praise
from a primitive root word: to be stout, to prevail, to be strong
This verse says that she has an exercise regimen that she follows to stay in shape.
Verse 18
She tastes whether {is} good her gain. Not does go out by night her lamp.
tastes: to perceive
gain: profit from trade, to sell at market
night: to twist (away from the light), adversity
from an unused root word: to fold back or a spiral, as in a staircase; winding
lamp: light
from a primitive root word: to glisten; a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)
This verse says that she contemplates her business ventures, but they do not keep her up at night with worry or anxiety over losses or gains.
Verse 19
distaff: deliverance, remnant
from a root word: refugee, fugitive
spindle: literally, a director; the shank of the distaff
from a primitive root word: to be straight or right, to be acceptable, to succeed or prosper
field: country, ground, land, soil
from a root word: to spread out
fruit: a bough or branch
from a root word: to bring forth fruit, to grow, to increase
vineyard: a garden, vines
What does it mean for her to take it?
The word is rendered as: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, enfold, many, mingle, place, receive, reserve, seize, send for, take (away, up), use, and win, in other verses throughout Scripture. (The phrase from the fruit of her palms symbolizes the work she pursued in the planting of the physical garden, as well as any monies she received from the selling of her goods.)
There is no mention, or implication, that she has to have her husband’s permission to contemplate the purchase, or the permission to actually acquire it. This verse says that a woman that is acting in the best interest of her family, and already has the trust of her husband, does not have to seek his approval, because her wisdom in such matters are already established.
Verse 17
She has girded with strength her loins, and has strengthened her arms.
girded: to put on, as in a belt or armor; to be appointed, to restrain on every side
loins: the waist or small of the back
from an unused root word: to be slender
strengthened: boldness, might, power, strong; to apply force, security, majesty, praise
from a primitive root word: to be stout, to prevail, to be strong
This verse says that she has an exercise regimen that she follows to stay in shape.
She tastes whether {is} good her gain. Not does go out by night her lamp.
tastes: to perceive
gain: profit from trade, to sell at market
night: to twist (away from the light), adversity
from an unused root word: to fold back or a spiral, as in a staircase; winding
lamp: light
from a primitive root word: to glisten; a lamp (i.e. the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)
This verse says that she contemplates her business ventures, but they do not keep her up at night with worry or anxiety over losses or gains.
Verse 19
She has sent forth her hands on the distaff and her palms have held the spindle.
distaff: deliverance, remnant
from a root word: refugee, fugitive
spindle: literally, a director; the shank of the distaff
from a primitive root word: to be straight or right, to be acceptable, to succeed or prosper
What is a distaff?
A rod on which wool or flax is wound for somebody to use when spinning by hand, or the corresponding rod on a spinning wheel.
What is a spindle?
A handheld rod with a notched end through which strands of natural fibers are drawn, then twisted into thread and wound around the rod.
The virtuous women of biblical times made their own cloth, which they then dyed and sold. (see Acts 16:14) Today’s equivalent is not the making of the cloth, but it could be considered the making of one’s own clothes, and/or for the family.
Verse 20
poor: depressed, lowly, needy, afflicted
needy: in a sense of want, destitute, beggar
Spreads her palms is a very important phrase. It implies that she not only has her hands open, but has them open wide, to be able to hold more to give away. And the fact that she reaches to the needy, means she makes a concerted effort to help those less fortunate.
Verse 21
snow: whiteness
from a primitive root word: to be white, to be white with linen clothing of the slain
scarlet: crimson; literally, the insect or its color, also what is dyed with it
Looking at the root word meaning of snow, we see that it is the linen clothing of the slain, which means death. And, not just death itself, but of intentional death, which is to kill or murder. So, she has no fear of death, or of being killed or murdered.
What is scarlet?
All throughout Scripture, scarlet is used to represent the blood of Jesus, and his sacrifice for us. So, her whole household was under the blood.
Verse 22
coverings: a coverlet; a covering of tapestry
from a primitive root word: to spread
purple: the color, or what is dyed in it
The word purple comes from a pre-12th century alteration of the Latin purpura, handed down from the Greek porphura or, "shellfish yielding purple dye"
Verse 23
gates: an opening, city door, port
from a primitive root word: to split or open, to act as a gatekeeper
elders: an aged, old, or ancient man or woman, senator
from a primitive root word: to be old, wax old, to be aged
Only men who were upstanding and respected in the community were allowed to sit at the gates.
Verse 24
girdles: belts
from a primitive root word: to put on, as in a belt; armor; to be able to put on, to be appointed, to restrain on every side (see verse 14)
Verse 25
strength: a force, security, majesty, praise, boldness, might, power
from a primitive root word: to be stout, to harden, to prevail, to strengthen, to be strong
dignity: figuratively, elation or cheerfulness; exaltation in rank or character
from a primitive root word: to lift (literal or figurative)
laughs: to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play
Clothing is symbolic way of saying she is covered by, or possesses, strength and dignity.
Why does she laugh at the day to come?
The wicked plots against the righteous, and gnashes at him {with} his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming.
The fact that she can look at the wicked, and laugh at their coming calamity means she sees the evil in this world as God sees it. These verse are not directed at people, but the Adversary, the Accuser of the brethren, the Devil, all other named aspects of the evil one.
Verse 26
wisdom: to have skills, to be wise, to have wit
from a primitive root word: to be wise in mind, word, or act; to teach wisdom; to show oneself wise
law: a precept or statute, specifically, the Torah
from a primitive root word: to teach, to inform, to instruct, to show
kindness: favor, good deeds, mercy, pity
Verse 27
food: bread, or grain (for making it)
from a primitive root word: to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle
idleness: indolence
from a primitive root word: to be slack, to be slothful
She makes sure that no one in her household, including herself, becomes lazy, either physically, or spiritually. (see previous verse)
Verse 28
blessed: to be straight; to be level, right or happy; to go forward; to be honest; to prosper; to guide, lead, or relieve
praises: to be clear (originally of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; to rave; to celebrate
Verse 29
daughters: this is a gender-inclusive word that means a son, a builder of the family, any family relationship, one born, a child, a people, a whelp, a young one, a youth
ably: a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
from a primitive root word: to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to dance; figuratively, to wait
rise: to ascend up, to carry up, to climb, to cause to come up, to increase, to mount up, to raise, to recover, to restore, to set up, to spring up, to spring forth
Verse 30
charm: of the resting-places
from a root word: the half or middle
from a primitive root word: to cut or split in two; to halve
deceitful: pertaining to an untruth or a sham, to act without a cause, to lie, to be vain, to act wrongfully
beauty: pertaining to beauty
from a primitive root word: to be bright, to make beautiful, to bedeck
reveres: respectful fear
from a primitive root word: to fear; morally, to revere; to frighten
This verse explains that to look upon any physical aspects of a person will lead someone to the wrong conclusion. Only a woman who truly worships God will have a clear, sound mind, without emotional baggage attached.
Verse 31
fruit: literally, a fig; a reward (see v. 16)
from a primitive root word: to bear fruit, to bring forth, to be fruitful, to grow, to increase
works: an action (good or bad); a transaction, a product or prosperity, a business, an occupation, a thing offered, a possession
from a primitive root word: to accomplish, to appoint, to become, to bear, to bestow, to yield, to use
This verse takes away the double standard that has been pushed upon women for centuries, both in the secular world and the religious. It says that we should look upon women as a whole with respect, not only in the places that is typically the woman’s~the fruit of her hands, but also in the place that is considered the mans~in the gates.
Verse 20
She spreads her palms to the poor. And {with} her hands she reaches to the needy.
poor: depressed, lowly, needy, afflicted
needy: in a sense of want, destitute, beggar
Spreads her palms is a very important phrase. It implies that she not only has her hands open, but has them open wide, to be able to hold more to give away. And the fact that she reaches to the needy, means she makes a concerted effort to help those less fortunate.
Verse 21
She is not afraid for her household of the snow. For all her household are clothed {with} scarlet.
snow: whiteness
from a primitive root word: to be white, to be white with linen clothing of the slain
scarlet: crimson; literally, the insect or its color, also what is dyed with it
What is the meaning behind the fear of snow?
Looking at the root word meaning of snow, we see that it is the linen clothing of the slain, which means death. And, not just death itself, but of intentional death, which is to kill or murder. So, she has no fear of death, or of being killed or murdered.
What is scarlet?
All throughout Scripture, scarlet is used to represent the blood of Jesus, and his sacrifice for us. So, her whole household was under the blood.
Verse 22
She makes coverings to herself. Fine linen and purple her clothing {is}.
coverings: a coverlet; a covering of tapestry
from a primitive root word: to spread
purple: the color, or what is dyed in it
The word purple comes from a pre-12th century alteration of the Latin purpura, handed down from the Greek porphura or, "shellfish yielding purple dye"
Verse 23
Her husband is known in the gates when he sits with the elders of the land.
gates: an opening, city door, port
from a primitive root word: to split or open, to act as a gatekeeper
elders: an aged, old, or ancient man or woman, senator
from a primitive root word: to be old, wax old, to be aged
Only men who were upstanding and respected in the community were allowed to sit at the gates.
Verse 24
She makes linen garments and sells. And belts she gives to the merchant.
girdles: belts
from a primitive root word: to put on, as in a belt; armor; to be able to put on, to be appointed, to restrain on every side (see verse 14)
Verse 25
Strength and dignity {are} her clothing. And she laughs at the day to come.
strength: a force, security, majesty, praise, boldness, might, power
from a primitive root word: to be stout, to harden, to prevail, to strengthen, to be strong
dignity: figuratively, elation or cheerfulness; exaltation in rank or character
from a primitive root word: to lift (literal or figurative)
laughs: to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play
How can she be clothed by strength and dignity?
Why does she laugh at the day to come?
The wicked plots against the righteous, and gnashes at him {with} his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming.
The fact that she can look at the wicked, and laugh at their coming calamity means she sees the evil in this world as God sees it. These verse are not directed at people, but the Adversary, the Accuser of the brethren, the Devil, all other named aspects of the evil one.
Verse 26
She opens her mouth in wisdom and the law of kindness {is} on her tongue.
wisdom: to have skills, to be wise, to have wit
from a primitive root word: to be wise in mind, word, or act; to teach wisdom; to show oneself wise
law: a precept or statute, specifically, the Torah
from a primitive root word: to teach, to inform, to instruct, to show
kindness: favor, good deeds, mercy, pity
This verse, by the use of the word law in the original Scripture, and the fact that law specifically references the Torah (the first five books of the Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses) gives the impression that a virtuous woman was expected to learn, and teach, God’s word. Certain denominations use their interpretations of Paul’s writings in Corinthians and Timothy to say that women cannot preach or teach, yet here is another example of how God intended women to take part in spreading His word.
Verse 27
She watches {the} ways of her household and the food of idleness not she does eat.
food: bread, or grain (for making it)
from a primitive root word: to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle
idleness: indolence
from a primitive root word: to be slack, to be slothful
She makes sure that no one in her household, including herself, becomes lazy, either physically, or spiritually. (see previous verse)
Verse 28
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband for he praises her.
blessed: to be straight; to be level, right or happy; to go forward; to be honest; to prosper; to guide, lead, or relieve
praises: to be clear (originally of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; to rave; to celebrate
She is shown respect and honor from all her family, for they see that she is indeed virtuous, in every sense of the word.
Verse 29
Many {are} the daughters who work ably, but you rise over all of them.
daughters: this is a gender-inclusive word that means a son, a builder of the family, any family relationship, one born, a child, a people, a whelp, a young one, a youth
ably: a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
from a primitive root word: to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to dance; figuratively, to wait
rise: to ascend up, to carry up, to climb, to cause to come up, to increase, to mount up, to raise, to recover, to restore, to set up, to spring up, to spring forth
In this verse, the narrator goes from speaking in the 3rd person, to the 2nd person, indicating that whoever was being spoken to was present for this lesson about the virtuous woman. The speaker wanted to make sure that the hearer realized that she was well-favored compared to any others that might have been present.
Verse 30
Charm deceitful {is} and vain beauty {is}, a woman who reveres Yahweh, she will be praised.
charm: of the resting-places
from a root word: the half or middle
from a primitive root word: to cut or split in two; to halve
deceitful: pertaining to an untruth or a sham, to act without a cause, to lie, to be vain, to act wrongfully
beauty: pertaining to beauty
from a primitive root word: to be bright, to make beautiful, to bedeck
reveres: respectful fear
from a primitive root word: to fear; morally, to revere; to frighten
This verse explains that to look upon any physical aspects of a person will lead someone to the wrong conclusion. Only a woman who truly worships God will have a clear, sound mind, without emotional baggage attached.
Verse 31
Give to her from the fruit of her hands, and let praise her in the gates her works.
fruit: literally, a fig; a reward (see v. 16)
from a primitive root word: to bear fruit, to bring forth, to be fruitful, to grow, to increase
works: an action (good or bad); a transaction, a product or prosperity, a business, an occupation, a thing offered, a possession
from a primitive root word: to accomplish, to appoint, to become, to bear, to bestow, to yield, to use
This verse takes away the double standard that has been pushed upon women for centuries, both in the secular world and the religious. It says that we should look upon women as a whole with respect, not only in the places that is typically the woman’s~the fruit of her hands, but also in the place that is considered the mans~in the gates.
