Proverbs 12:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.

NIV: A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

NASB: An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.

CSB: A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a wife who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

NLT: A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.

KJV: A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

NKJV: An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

Having written about a good man (Proverbs 12:2), Solomon writes now about an excellent wife. Using regal terminology implies that such a woman possesses noble character and ability. Just as a crown identifies a man as royalty to others, a good woman does the same by bringing her husband honor and dignity.

Proverbs 31 describes such a woman in further detail. Among the many things she does, the writer of Proverbs 31 says she does her husband good (Proverbs 31:12). She is far more valuable to her husband than jewels (Proverbs 31:10), and wisdom and kindness flow from her mouth (Proverbs 31:26). Ruth was an excellent woman. Boaz complimented Ruth, whom he eventually married, by saying, "All my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman" (Ruth 3:11).

Unfortunately, not all wives are excellent. Solomon writes here that a wife who lacks discretion (Proverbs 11:22) by inviting a bad reputation, or ridicule, also brings her husband pain. Just as decaying bones would cause severe pain, so a wife of ignoble character causes her husband great angst. Choosing a wife, therefore, is an extremely important matter. While Solomon speaks immediately to his "sons," (Proverbs 1:8), the concept is not limited to wives. Both spouses can be honored, or shamed, by the conduct of their partner.

Proverbs 12 contains a series of contrasts between lifestyles, comparing those who honor God to those who reject His wisdom. The results of those decisions are also compared. This repeats several common themes from the book of Proverbs, such as the self-destructive nature of sin and God's distaste for those who lie.

Proverbs 12 continues Solomon's wise sayings. A large portion of the book of Proverbs includes these short, common sense pieces of advice. After a series of introductions and lessons in chapters 1—9, chapter 10 began a long list of individual statements. In this chapter he continues to contrast the righteous and the wicked, showing that the life of the righteous is far better than the life of the wicked. This pattern will continue, covering the same basic theme, through chapter 15.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.