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THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION
Proverbs: Motivating Teens And Adults To Align With God's Fixed Moral Order
Part VIII: Proverbial Acrostic Poem On The Noble Wife, Proverbs 31:10-31
2. Studying Proverbs 31:21-31
  1. Introduction
    1. Proverbs 31:10-31 is an acrostic poem where the first line of each verse starts with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Though we do not know its author, it is canonical via Christ's word at Luke 11:50-51.
    2. This poem describes a noble wife, and we view the last half of it in Proverbs 31:21-31 as follows:
  2. Studying Proverbs 31:21-31.
    1. Proverbs 31:21: "She has no fear for her household from the snow [cold] (sheleg, B. D. B., A Heb.-Eng. Lex. of the O. T., p. 1017) for all of her household is clothed ( labesh, Ibid., p. 527-528) of [with] scarlet." (shani, Ibid., p. 1040) [i. e., luxuriously, since shani "is associated with well-being and luxury," cf. 2 Samuel 1:24; H. A. W., Theol. Wrkbk. of the O. T., v. II, p. 942. This woman has the foresight to consider the future regarding her family's clothing needs, and makes adequate provision for it.
    2. Proverbs 31:22: "She makes coverlets for her bed (marbad, Ibid., B. D. B., p. 915); with byssus [i. e., luxurious, fine, bleached white, silky-textured Egyptian linen] ( shesh, Ibid., p. 1058; Zon. Pict. Ency. Bib., v. Three, p. 937) and purple, violet [color of nobility] (argaman, Ibid., v. Four, p. 960-961; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 71;) is she clothed ( labesh, cf. Pr. 31:21)." The noble woman realizes appearance affects perceptions, so she clothes their bedroom and herself to win the approving admiration of her husband.
    3. Proverbs 31:23: "Her husband is become known (yada', Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 393-395; Niphal = passive) in the [city] gates (sha'ar , Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 1044-1045), where he sits to rule (yashab, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 442-443) among the elders of the land." The noble woman so functions in supportive submission to her husband that he develops as a leader in the couple's community.
    4. Proverbs 31:24: "She makes linen wrapper veil finery (sadin, Ibid., p. 690) and sells (makar, Ibid., p. 569) [it], and supplies waist sashes ( hagor, Ibid., p. 292) for the trader merchants (kena'ani, Ibid., p. 489)." The noble woman, being aware of the value of locally made products in far-off lands, takes advantage of this demand to meet it by producing such products herself, enhancing her family's income.
    5. Proverbs 31:25: "She is clothed (labesh, cf. Pr. 31:21) with might (oz, Ibid., p. 738-739) and majestic dignity (hadar, Ibid., p. 214), and she can laugh [fearlessly] ( sahaq, Ibid., p. 965-966) at the day coming after' [at the time to come] (le + yom aharon, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 30-31)."
    6. Proverbs 31:26: "Her mouth she opens (patah, Ibid., p. 834-835) with wisdom, and the instruction (torah, Ibid., p. 435-436) of loyal love ( hesed, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., H. A. W., v. I, p. 305-307) is on her tongue."
    7. Proverbs 31:27: "She keeps watch over (sapah, Ibid., B. D. B., p. 859) the ways (halika, Ibid., p. 237) of her household, and the bread of sluggishness ( aslut, Ibid., p. 782) she does not eat [she is not lazy]."
    8. Proverbs 31:28: "Her children arise (qum, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 877-879) and bless her, call her blessed (asher, Ibid., p. 80); her husband [also], and he praises ( halal, Ibid., p. 237-239) her, [saying]:
    9. Proverbs 31:29: Many daughters [a term of affection for a woman, Bible Know. Com., N. T., p. 40] have done worthily (hayil, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 298-299), but you (pronoun in the emphatic position) excel (alah, Ibid., p. 748-750) over them all.'" The husband's love, respect and appreciation for his wife far exceeds what he sees in all other even lovely women, a sign of a strong marriage.
    10. Proverbs 31:30: "[Feminine] charm, grace (hen, Ibid., p. 336) is deceptive (sheqer, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 1055) and [feminine] beauty ( yapeh, Ibid., p. 421) is a fleeting vapor, vain (hebel, Ibid., Kittel; Ibid., B. D. B., p. 210-211), but a woman who reveres Jahweh, she (pronoun in the emphatic position) will be praised ( halal, cf. Pr. 31:28)." This summary verse reveals the key to this woman's long list of attributes and achievements in this acrostic poem: her reverence for the Lord produces her productive, affirmative lifestyle and character traits.
    11. Proverbs 31:31: "Give her the fruit [reward] of her hands [her deeds], and let her works praise (halal, cf. Pr. 31:28) her in the [city] gates (sha'ar , cf. Pr. 31:23)." A God-revering woman will be honored not only by her close family, but by all people, even her community leaders who administer justice in the city!
Lesson Application: May we align with God's fixed moral order in each of these realms for blessing.