Proverbs 31:16-26

16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings * she plants a vineyard.

17 She ¹girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.

18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.

20 She ²extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are ³clothed with scarlet.

22 She makes ⁴coverings for herself; Her clothing is ⁵fine linen and ⁶purple.

23 Her husband is known ⁷in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes ⁸linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

25 Strength and ⁹dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future *.

26 She ¹⁰opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

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Proverbs 31:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 31

This chapter contains the last part of the book of Proverbs; which some reckon the fifth, others the sixth. It contains the instructions of the mother of a prince, whose name was Lemuel, which she gave unto him; and which are so valuable, as to be annexed to the proverbs of Solomon. The preface or introduction to them is in Pr 31:1; the address to her son, Pr 31:2. The vices she cautions him against are uncleanness and intemperance; which she dissuades from, because of the pernicious consequences of both to kings and to their subjects, Pr 31:3-5. Advises rather to give wine and strong drink to poor people, such as are in distress; as being more useful to them, at least less prejudicial, Pr 31:6,7; and exhorts her son to the duties of his office; by pleading the cause of the poor and injured, and administering justice to them, Pr 31:8,9. And then at large describes a virtuous woman; perhaps designed as an instruction to her son in the choice of a wife, Pr 31:10-31; though more than that may be intended by it.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 10

1. 1 Kings 18:46; 2 Kings 4:29; Job 38:3
2. Deuteronomy 15:11; Job 31:16-20; Proverbs 22:9; Romans 12:13; Ephesians 4:28
3. 2 Samuel 1:24
4. Proverbs 7:16
5. Genesis 41:42; Revelation 19:8, 14
6. Judges 8:26; Luke 16:19
7. Deuteronomy 16:18; Ruth 4:1, 11
8. Judges 14:12
9. 1 Timothy 2:9, 10
10. Proverbs 10:31

Footnotes 8

[a]. Lit "the fruit of her palms"
[b]. Lit "her loins"
[c]. Lit "palms"
[d]. Lit "spreads out her palm"
[e]. Lit "gives"
[f]. Lit "Canaanite"
[g]. Lit "latter days"
[h]. Or "law"