Proverbs 31:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

NIV: She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

NASB: She senses that her profit is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.

CSB: She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night.

NLT: She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.

KJV: She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

NKJV: She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.

Many depictions of the excellent, godly wife (Proverbs 31:10) include diligence and responsibility (Proverbs 31:13, 15). Both literally and symbolically, she is depicted as bringing in necessary supplies (Proverbs 31:14) and making good business decisions (Proverbs 31:16). Here, "profitable" work is again commended. That is connected to the continued burning of a lamp: a symbol which implies foresight, planning, and sustained success.

Keeping one's lamp burning at night can be a metaphor for hard work (Proverbs 31:27). It also implies planning: to keep the light burning, it needs to be supplied with oil. This was part of the lesson in Jesus' parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1–10). Diligence means planning such that needs are met. If a lamp goes out at night, it results in darkness. The godly woman looks ahead, so her family is supplied and cared for during hard times.

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 5/1/2024 9:30:35 PM