Mishle 31:10-31

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 31:10-31 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.