Proverbs 31:19-29

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

20 She ¹extends 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 ²clothed with scarlet.

22 She makes ³coverings for herself; Her clothing is ⁴fine linen and ⁵purple.

23 Her husband is known ⁶in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes ⁷linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

25 Strength and ⁸dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future *.

26 She ⁹opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the ¹⁰bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

29 "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."

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

Footnotes 6

[a]. Lit "palms"
[b]. Lit "spreads out her palm"
[c]. Lit "gives"
[d]. Lit "Canaanite"
[e]. Lit "latter days"
[f]. Or "law"