Proverbs 31:17

17 She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.

Proverbs 31:17 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 31:17

She girdeth her loins with strength
Showing her readiness to every good work; and with what cheerfulness, spirit, and resolution, she set about it, and with what dispatch and expedition she performed it: the allusion is to the girding and tucking up of long garments, wore in the eastern countries, when any work was set about in earnest, which required dispatch; see ( Luke 17:8 ) ( 12:35 ) ; the strength of creatures being in their loins, ( Job 40:16 ) ; the loins are sometimes put for strength, as in Plautus ^F18; and the sense is much the same with what follows; and strengtheneth her arms;
does all she finds to do with all her might and main, as the church does; not in her own strength, but in the strength of Christ; to whom she seeks for it, and in whose strength she goes forth about her business; by whom the arms of her hands are made strong, even by the mighty God of Jacob; and because she thus applies to him for it, she is said to do it herself, ( Genesis 49:24 ) ( Philippians 4:13 ) ; here she plays the man, and acts the manly part, ( 1 Corinthians 16:13 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 "Lumbos defractos velim", Stichus, Act. 2. Sc. 1. v. 37.

Proverbs 31:17 In-Context

15 And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and tasks to her maidens.

16 She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.

17 She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.

18 And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.

19 She reaches forth her arms to needful , and applies her hands to the spindle.