Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 31

Introduction

Overview

Proverbs 31:1, Lemuel’s lesson of chastity and temperance; Proverbs 31:6, The afflicted are to be comforted and defended; Proverbs 31:10, The praise and properties of a good wife.

Verse 1

the prophecy: Proverbs 30:1

his: Proverbs 1:8, Proverbs 6:20, 2 Timothy 1:5, 2 Timothy 3:15

Reciprocal: Proverbs 31:28 - children 1 Thessalonians 2:11 - as

Verse 2

the son of my womb: Isaiah 49:15

the son of my vows: 1 Samuel 1:11, 1 Samuel 1:28

Verse 3

strength: Proverbs 5:9-11, Proverbs 7:26, Proverbs 7:27, Hosea 4:11

to that: Deuteronomy 17:17, Nehemiah 13:26

Reciprocal: Proverbs 5:10 - wealth Acts 24:25 - temperance

Verse 4

Leviticus 10:9, Leviticus 10:10, 1 Kings 20:12, 1 Kings 20:16-20, Esther 3:15, Ecclesiastes 10:17, Isaiah 28:7, Isaiah 28:8, Daniel 5:2-4, Hosea 4:11, Hosea 4:12, Hosea 7:3-5, Habakkuk 2:5, Mark 6:21-28

Reciprocal: Numbers 6:3 - General Proverbs 20:1 - General Ecclesiastes 2:3 - yet Isaiah 5:23 - justify Isaiah 56:12 - I will 1 Timothy 5:23 - General Titus 1:7 - not given to wine

Verse 5

pervert: Heb. alter

any of the afflicted: Heb. all the sons of affliction, Habakkuk 2:5

Reciprocal: Leviticus 10:9 - Do not Numbers 6:3 - General Deuteronomy 24:17 - pervert Deuteronomy 27:19 - General 1 Kings 20:12 - drinking Proverbs 3:1 - forget Proverbs 23:33 - and Ecclesiastes 2:3 - yet Ecclesiastes 10:17 - and thy Isaiah 5:23 - justify Isaiah 28:7 - erred Isaiah 56:12 - I will Mark 6:21 - his birthday Titus 1:7 - not given to wine

Verse 6

strong: Psalms 104:15, 1 Timothy 5:23

of heavy hearts: Heb. bitter of soul, 1 Samuel 1:10, 1 Samuel 30:6, 2 Kings 4:27, *marg.

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:34 - were merry Judges 9:13 - cheereth 1 Samuel 22:2 - discontented 2 Samuel 16:2 - that such Job 3:20 - the bitter Job 29:13 - ready Proverbs 23:20 - not Isaiah 24:11 - a crying Jeremiah 16:7 - cup Zechariah 10:7 - and their Luke 14:13 - call Luke 22:18 - the fruit

Verse 7

Ephesians 5:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:30 - shall be Genesis 41:51 - forget 2 Samuel 16:2 - that such Job 11:16 - Because Proverbs 23:20 - not Jeremiah 16:7 - cup Zechariah 10:7 - and their Luke 14:13 - call Luke 22:18 - the fruit

Verse 8

Open: Proverbs 24:7, Proverbs 24:11, Proverbs 24:12, 1 Samuel 19:4-7, 1 Samuel 20:32, 1 Samuel 22:14, 1 Samuel 22:15, Esther 4:13-16, Job 29:9, Job 29:17, Psalms 82:3, Psalms 82:4, Jeremiah 26:16-19, Jeremiah 26:24, Jeremiah 38:7-10, John 7:51

such: etc. Heb. the sons of destruction, Psalms 79:11, *marg.

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 25:1 - General 2 Samuel 17:7 - not good Proverbs 31:26 - openeth Ecclesiastes 3:7 - and a time to speak Isaiah 11:4 - reprove Jeremiah 21:12 - deliver Jeremiah 38:9 - these Ezekiel 18:8 - hath executed Habakkuk 1:13 - holdest Matthew 5:2 - General Romans 13:4 - he is

Verse 9

Proverbs 16:12, Proverbs 20:8, Leviticus 19:15, Deuteronomy 1:16, Deuteronomy 16:18-20, 2 Samuel 8:15, Psalms 58:1, Psalms 58:2, Psalms 72:1, Psalms 72:2, Job 29:12, Job 29:15, Job 29:16, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 1:23, Isaiah 11:4, Isaiah 32:1, Isaiah 32:2, Jeremiah 5:28, Jeremiah 22:3, Jeremiah 22:15, Jeremiah 22:16, Jeremiah 23:5, Daniel 4:27, Amos 5:11, Amos 5:12, Zechariah 7:9, Zechariah 9:9, John 7:24, Hebrews 1:9, Revelation 19:11

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 25:1 - General 1 Samuel 19:4 - spake good 1 Samuel 20:32 - Wherefore 1 Samuel 22:14 - And who 2 Samuel 23:3 - must be just Proverbs 24:7 - openeth Proverbs 31:26 - openeth Ecclesiastes 3:7 - and a time to speak Jeremiah 21:12 - deliver Jeremiah 38:9 - these Ezekiel 18:8 - hath executed Habakkuk 1:13 - holdest Matthew 5:2 - General Romans 13:4 - he is

Verse 10

Who: This is the commencement of an alphabetical poem, each verse beginning consecutively with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet; in which we are presented with an admirable picture of a good wife, according to the primitive manners of the East.

can: Proverbs 12:4, Proverbs 18:22, Proverbs 19:14, Ruth 3:11, Ecclesiastes 7:28, Song of Solomon 6:8, Song of Solomon 6:9, Ephesians 5:25-33

her: Proverbs 3:15, Proverbs 8:11, Proverbs 20:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:24 - cleave Exodus 28:17 - a sardius Deuteronomy 21:11 - desire Ruth 4:10 - have I 1 Samuel 25:39 - to take her 2 Kings 4:9 - she said Job 28:18 - rubies Psalms 144:12 - as corner stones Proverbs 7:11 - loud Proverbs 14:1 - wise John 2:1 - a marriage Philippians 4:8 - virtue Titus 2:5 - keepers 1 Peter 3:5 - the holy 2 Peter 1:3 - virtue

Verse 11

2 Kings 4:9, 2 Kings 4:10, 2 Kings 4:22, 2 Kings 4:23, 1 Peter 3:1-7

Reciprocal: Genesis 39:6 - save Ruth 4:10 - have I 1 Samuel 25:19 - But

Verse 12

1 Samuel 25:18-22, 1 Samuel 25:26, 1 Samuel 25:27

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:19 - But

Verse 13

worketh: Genesis 18:6-8, Genesis 24:13, Genesis 24:14, Genesis 24:18-20, Genesis 29:9, Genesis 29:10, Exodus 2:16, Ruth 2:2, Ruth 2:3, Ruth 2:23, Isaiah 3:16-24, Isaiah 32:9-11, Acts 9:39, Acts 9:40, 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, 1 Timothy 5:10, 1 Timothy 5:14, Titus 2:5

Reciprocal: Proverbs 31:24 - General

Verse 14

Proverbs 31:24, 1 Kings 9:26-28, 2 Chronicles 9:10, Ezekiel 27:3-36

Verse 15

riseth: Joshua 3:1, 2 Chronicles 36:15, Psalms 119:147, Psalms 119:148, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Mark 1:35, Romans 12:11

and giveth: Matthew 24:25, Luke 12:42

Reciprocal: Psalms 127:2 - rise up

Verse 16

considereth: Joshua 15:18, Song of Solomon 8:12, Matthew 13:44

buyeth: Heb. taketh

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:2 - General Proverbs 31:31 - of the

Verse 17

girdeth: 1 Kings 18:46, 2 Kings 4:29, Job 38:3, Luke 12:35, Ephesians 6:10, Ephesians 6:14, 1 Peter 1:13

strengtheneth: Genesis 49:24, Isaiah 44:12, Hosea 7:15

Verse 18

perceiveth: Heb. tasteth

her candle: Genesis 31:40, Psalms 127:2, Matthew 25:3-10, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9

Verse 19

She takes the spindle in her right hand, by twisting which she twists the thread; while she holds the distaff, on which the wool or flax is rolled, in the guard of the left arm, and draws down the thread with the fingers of the left hand. Exodus 35:25, Exodus 35:26

Reciprocal: Proverbs 31:24 - General

Verse 20

She stretcheth: Heb. She spreadeth, Proverbs 1:24, Romans 10:21

she reacheth: Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 22:9, Job 31:16-20, Psalms 41:1, Psalms 112:9, Ecclesiastes 11:1, Ecclesiastes 11:2, Mark 14:7, Acts 9:39-41, Acts 20:34, Acts 20:35, Ephesians 4:28, Hebrews 13:16

Reciprocal: Ezekiel 18:16 - but hath 1 Corinthians 13:4 - is kind

Verse 21

afraid: Proverbs 25:20

scarlet: or, double garments, Genesis 45:22

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 1:24 - General Job 24:7 - no covering Lamentations 4:5 - brought

Verse 22

coverings: Proverbs 7:16

clothing: Genesis 41:42, *marg. Esther 5:1, Esther 8:15, Psalms 45:13, Psalms 45:14, Ezekiel 16:10-13, 1 Peter 3:3

silk: Shesh, rather fine linen, or cotton. (See note on Exodus 39:27.) Sadin, rendered "fine linen," Proverbs 31:24, is probably the same as the Arabic sidn, and sudl, a veil, or an inner covering of fine muslin.

Reciprocal: 1 Timothy 2:9 - not

Verse 23

husband: Proverbs 12:4

in the: Proverbs 24:7, Deuteronomy 16:18, Deuteronomy 21:19, Ruth 4:1, Job 29:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:20 - the gate Joshua 20:4 - at the entering Ruth 4:2 - the elders

Verse 24

Proverbs 31:13, Proverbs 31:19, 1 Kings 10:28, Ezekiel 27:16, Luke 16:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:42 - a gold chain Proverbs 31:14 - General Proverbs 31:22 - silk

Verse 25

Strength: Job 29:14, Job 40:10, Psalms 132:9, Psalms 132:16, Isaiah 61:10, Romans 13:14, Ephesians 4:24, 1 Timothy 2:10, 1 Peter 5:5, 1 Peter 5:6

and she: Psalms 97:11, Psalms 97:12, Isaiah 65:13, Isaiah 65:14, Matthew 25:20, Matthew 25:21

Reciprocal: 1 Timothy 6:19 - the time

Verse 26

openeth: Proverbs 31:8, Proverbs 31:9, Judges 13:23, 1 Samuel 25:24-31, 2 Samuel 20:16-22, 2 Kings 22:15-20, Esther 4:4, Esther 5:8, Esther 7:3-6, Esther 8:3-6, Luke 1:38, Luke 1:42-56, Acts 18:26, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 4:5

in her: Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 16:24, Proverbs 25:15, Genesis 24:18-20, Song of Solomon 2:14, Song of Solomon 4:11, Malachi 2:6, Acts 6:15, 1 Peter 3:1, 1 Peter 3:4, 1 Peter 3:5, 1 Peter 3:8, 1 Peter 3:9

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:3 - good Ecclesiastes 10:12 - words Song of Solomon 4:3 - scarlet 1 Corinthians 13:4 - is kind

Verse 27

Proverbs 14:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 1 Timothy 5:10, Titus 2:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:15 - pitcher Ruth 2:17 - she gleaned 1 Samuel 25:19 - But 2 Thessalonians 3:8 - eat 1 Timothy 5:13 - to be 1 Timothy 5:14 - guide

Verse 28

children: Proverbs 31:1, 1 Kings 2:19, Psalms 116:16, 2 Timothy 1:5, 2 Timothy 3:15-17

her husband: Song of Solomon 7:1-9, Isaiah 62:4, Isaiah 62:5, *marg.

Reciprocal: Genesis 30:13 - Happy am I Genesis 48:12 - he bowed himself 2 Samuel 14:22 - thanked Psalms 127:4 - so are children Song of Solomon 6:9 - The daughters 1 Corinthians 11:2 - I praise 1 Timothy 5:4 - learn

Verse 29

done virtuously: or, gotten riches

thou: Song of Solomon 6:8, Song of Solomon 6:9, Ephesians 5:27

Reciprocal: Ruth 3:11 - city Luke 1:28 - blessed Philippians 2:20 - I have Philippians 4:8 - virtue 2 Peter 1:3 - virtue

Verse 30

Favour: Proverbs 6:25, Proverbs 11:22, 2 Samuel 14:25, Esther 1:11, Esther 1:12, Ezekiel 16:15, James 1:11, 1 Peter 1:24

a woman: Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 8:13, Exodus 1:17-21, Psalms 147:11, Luke 1:6, Luke 1:46-50, 1 Peter 3:4, 1 Peter 3:5

she: Ecclesiastes 7:18, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Romans 2:29, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Peter 1:7, 1 Peter 3:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:17 - beautiful Deuteronomy 21:11 - desire 1 Samuel 16:7 - Look not 1 Samuel 25:3 - good 1 Samuel 25:39 - to take her 2 Samuel 11:2 - very beautiful 2 Samuel 13:1 - a fair sister 1 Kings 4:32 - he spake Proverbs 11:16 - gracious Acts 9:39 - and showing

Verse 31

of the: Proverbs 31:16, Proverbs 11:30, Psalms 128:2, Matthew 7:16, Matthew 7:20, Romans 6:21, Romans 6:22, Philippians 4:17

and let: Mark 14:7-9, Acts 9:39, Romans 16:1-4, Romans 16:6, Romans 16:12, 1 Timothy 5:25, Hebrews 6:10, Revelation 14:13

Reciprocal: Judges 5:24 - General 1 Samuel 15:13 - I have performed 1 Samuel 25:3 - good Proverbs 11:16 - gracious Micah 7:13 - for Philippians 4:8 - praise 1 Timothy 2:10 - with