Proverbs 31:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.

NIV: She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

NASB: She surrounds her waist with strength And makes her arms strong.

CSB: She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong.

NLT: She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.

KJV: She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

NKJV: She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.

The excellent wife (Proverbs 31:10) of this passage claims traits which benefit any person. Among those is a willingness to engage in hard, strenuous work. She does what needs to be done, rather than handing off important tasks to others (Proverbs 31:15) or simply doing nothing (Proverbs 31:27). Even if the work isn't glamorous (Proverbs 31:13), she applies herself with enthusiasm. She does not flinch from doing what is stereotypically considered "man's work;" the other tasks in this passage are not meant to define a "woman's job" in any narrow sense.

This lesson directly refers to work and diligence in one's effort. However, a broader application can also be given to those living in the modern world. This involves care for one's own health. Relatively speaking, ancient peoples worked harder for food and basic survival, while modern persons are more at risk of the dangers of progress. That can include unhealthy foods, excessive eating, lack of exercise, and so forth. A godly woman cares for herself and her "strength" as a necessary part of tending to her home and family.

Proverbs 31:10–31 is from an unidentified author. This famous passage describes various virtues and attitudes of a godly, excellent woman. Just like the deeply faithful man (Proverbs 20:6), such a woman is uncommon. She stands in vivid contrast to the adulterers and fools often described in Proverbs. Her life is marked by integrity, honor, trust, productivity, common sense, practical love, and hard work. Those strengths last much longer than appearances. The verses of this section form an "acrostic:" each begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

This final chapter fits well with the rest of the book of Proverbs. It reiterates subjects found elsewhere in these lessons. Of note is that the entire chapter is connected to godly women. Topics include the importance of godly parenting, morality, righteous treatment of the needy, justice, and diligence. The first section are the words of King Lemuel's mother. The last is the famous depiction of an "excellent wife," exhibiting ideal traits of diligence, godliness, and competence. That description is arranged as acrostic poem: each verse begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Proverbs chapter 31 comes after a long list of Solomon's teachings (Proverbs 25—29) and the words of Agur (Proverbs 30). This final section is connected to two women: the mother of King Lemuel and the ideal of a godly, "excellent" wife. Themes found in this passage are reflected in other lessons from the book of Proverbs. Of note, commendable traits such as business savvy, strength, and wisdom are explicitly associated with women, despite being stereotypically considered masculine. The content after verse 10 is explicitly structured as a poem.

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.

Accessed 5/7/2024 12:17:22 AM