Mishle 31

1 1 The devarim of Lemuel Melech, the massa (burden, oracle) that immo taught him.

2 What, my bar (son, see Ps 2:12)? And what, the bar of my womb? And what, the bar of my nedarim (vows)?

3 Give not thy strength unto nashim, nor thy drakhim to that which destroyeth melachim.

4 It is not for melachim, O Lemuel, it is not for melachim to drink yayin; nor for rulers to crave strong drink;

5 Lest they drink, and forget the decree, and pervert the justice of the bnei oni (all the oppressed afflicted people).

6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and yayin unto those that be of bitter nefesh.

7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his amal (misery) no more.

8 Open thy peh (mouth) for the illem (mute) in the cause of all such as are bnei chalof (sons of destitution).

9 Open thy peh (mouth), judge tzedek, and plead the cause of the oni and the evyon.

10 Who can find an aishes chayil (a woman of valor, an excellent wife Prov 12:4)? For her worth is far above rubies.

11 The lev of her ba’al (husband) doth securely trust in her, so that he shall have no lack of gain.

12 She will do him tov and not rah all the days of her life.

13 She seeketh tzemer (wool), and flax, and worketh willingly with her palms.

14 She is like the oniyyot socher (ship merchant); she bringeth her lechem from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet lailah, and provideth food to her bais, and a chok (portion) to her na’arot (servant girls).

16 She considereth a sadeh, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her palms she planteth a kerem (vineyard).

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her zero’ot (arms).

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is tov; her ner (light) goeth not out balailah.

19 She layeth her yadayim to the distaff, and her fingers lay hold of the spindle.

20 She extends her palms to the oni; indeed, she reacheth forth her yadayim to the evyon (needy).

21 She is not afraid of the sheleg (snow) for her bais; for all her bais are clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her levush (clothing) is fine linen and purple.

23 Her ba’al (husband) is known in the she’arim, when he sitteth among the ziknei eretz.

24 She maketh fine garments, and selleth them; and delivereth sashes unto the kena’ani (merchant).

25 Oz (strength) and hadar (dignity) are her clothing; and her smile is toward the yom acharon (coming day, future).

26 She openeth her peh (mouth) with chochmah; and on her lashon is the torat chesed (teaching of kindness).

27 She watcheth well over the halichot (goings, ways) of her bais (household), and eateth not the lechem atzlut (bread of idleness).

28 Her banim rise up, and call her blessed; her ba’al (husband) also, and he praiseth her.

29 Rabbot banot have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 Chen (charm) is sheker (deceitful), and yofi (beauty) is fleeting; but an isha Yirat Hashem (a G-d fearing wife), she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the p’ri (fruit) of her yadayim; and let her own ma’asim praise her in the she’arim.

Mishle 31 Commentary

Chapter 31

An exhortation to king Lemuel to take heed of sin, and to do duties. (1-9) The description of a virtuous woman. (10-31)

Verses 1-9 When children are under the mother's eye, she has an opportunity of fashioning their minds aright. Those who are grown up, should often call to mind the good teaching they received when children. The many awful instances of promising characters who have been ruined by vile women, and love of wine, should warn every one to avoid these evils. Wine is to be used for want or medicine. Every creature of God is good, and wine, though abused, has its use. By the same rule, due praise and consolation should be used as cordials to the dejected and tempted, not administered to the confident and self-sufficient. All in authority should be more carefully temperate even than other men; and should be protectors of those who are unable or afraid to plead their own cause. Our blessed Lord did not decline the bitterest dregs of the cup of sorrow put into his hands; but he puts the cup of consolation into the hands of his people, and causes those to rejoice who are in the deepest distress.

Verses 10-31 This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her. 1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good. 2. She is one that takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in them. She is careful to fill up time, that none be lost. She rises early. She applies herself to the business proper for her, to women's business. She does what she does, with all her power, and trifles not. 3. She makes what she does turn to good account by prudent management. Many undo themselves by buying, without considering whether they can afford it. She provides well for her house. She lays up for hereafter. 4. She looks well to the ways of her household, that she may oblige all to do their duty to God and one another, as well as to her. 5. She is intent upon giving as upon getting, and does it freely and cheerfully. 6. She is discreet and obliging; every word she says, shows she governs herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent measures herself, but gives prudent advice to others. The law of love and kindness is written in the heart, and shows itself in the tongue. Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy about this world. 7. Above all, she fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God, nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceived many a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts for ever. 8. She has firmness to bear up under crosses and disappointments. She shall reflect with comfort when she comes to be old, that she was not idle or useless when young. She shall rejoice in a world to come. She is a great blessing to her relations. If the fruit be good, the tree must have our good word. But she leaves it to her own works to praise her. Every one ought to desire this honour that cometh from God; and according to this standard we all ought to regulate our judgments. This description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly beloved and respected, useful and honourable. This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be applied to the church of God, which is described as a virtuous spouse? God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellences here described.

Chapter Summary

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.