A Theology of Woman from Proverbs 31: A Wise Woman to Emulate
Last month we examined the Proverbs 7 Woman. We saw a negative model to avoid.
This week we are going to look at the Proverbs 31 Woman. What makes her so excellent and more precious than jewels? We are going to find that a godly woman applies wisdom in daily living.
Passage Overview
Proverbs 31:10-31 is a poem. In Hebrew, the poem is an acrostic—the first letter of each line began with the successive letters in the Hebrew alphabet. This poem was and still is recited by Jewish husbands and children at the Sabbath dinner. The manner of the poem is also similar to a hymn written to extol a heroine, in this case the wise wife and mother.
However, the Proverbs 31 woman is more than just an ideal wife and mother. She personifies wisdom applied in daily living. One author states,
“The poem certainly presents a pattern for women who want to develop a life of wisdom; but since it is essentially about wisdom, its lessons are for both men and women to develop. The passage teaches that the fear of the Lord will inspire people to be faithful stewards of the time and talents that God has given; that wisdom is productive and beneficial for others, requiring great industry in life’s endeavors; that wisdom is best taught and lived in the home—indeed, the success of the home demands wisdom—and that wisdom is balanced living, giving attention to domestic responsibilities as well as business enterprises and charitable service” (Allen Ross, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, p. 1130).
Now that we understand the type of passage we are studying, we will study it in more detail. We will break this poem into 8 stanzas, beginning and ending with praise for this wise woman.
- General Praise
“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.” (Proverbs 31:10-12)
She is a rarity. Who can find an excellent woman? She is like a rare jewel.
She is excellent. The Hebrew word for excellent often means “strength,” “brave,” “competent.”1 She has strength of character; she is a fully-capable woman.
She is trustworthy. Her husband can fully trust her. She increases his resources—rather than emptying them. He knows she will only do him good for her whole life.
- Wisdom in Household Pursuits
“She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.” (Proverbs 31:13-15)
She is willing to work with her hands. She provides clothing for her family (v 13).
She works to provide food for her family (v 14).
She wakes early to provide for and organize her home (v 15).
- Wisdom in Finances
“She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.” (Proverbs 31:16-18)
She makes wise financial purchases. She uses her earnings to make even more wise purchases (v 16).
She is a strong, tireless worker in making her merchandise profitable (vv 17-18).
- Wisdom in Providing for Family/Poor
“She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.” (Proverbs 31:19-21)
She works to provide warm, beautiful clothing for her family, preparing ahead of time (vv 19, 21).
She uses her hard work and financial wisdom to give liberally to the poor and needy (v 20).
- Wisdom in Reputation
“She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.” (Proverbs 31:22-24)
She makes herself expensive clothing. Her wise use of money and resources allowed her to present herself and her home in an attractive manner (v 22).
She promotes the reputation of her husband ( 23).
She sold her work to merchants (v 24). Her work had earned a reputation worthy of being sold to merchants.
- Wisdom in Character
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” (Proverbs 31:25-27)
She is a strong, dignified woman who does not need to fear the future, because she has acted wisely (v 25).
Her speech is characterized by wisdom and kindness (v 26).
She is alert and careful in watching over her family, not giving in to laziness (v 27).
- Wisdom Recognized
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’” (Proverbs 31:28-29)
Those who know her best—her children and husband—praise her. In their eyes, she is the greatest of all women.
- Concluding Praise
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:30-31)
One’s physical beauty is nothing compared to the character of a woman who fears the Lord (v 30).
The woman’s hard work brings praise from others (v 31).
Few if any will ever measure up to the epitome of household wisdom as portrayed by the Proverbs 31 woman. Yet we can apply the wisdom exemplified to specific situations in our own lives. We should examine our own finances, work ethic, reputation, and character. We must strive to live wisely in the situation and among the people God has placed us.
Holly Huffstutler serves with her husband David, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Rockford, IL. She blogs with him here where this post first appeared. Holly is a homemaker, raising and schooling her four children.
Photo by Benjamin Manley on Unsplash
- Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 311. [↩]