Proverbs 31:16

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Proverbs

Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:16

16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

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Proverbs 31:16 in Other Translations

KJV

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

ESV

16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

NLT

16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

MSG

16 She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.

CSB

16 She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings.

Proverbs 31:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 31:16

She considereth a field, and buyeth it
The field are the Scriptures, in which are hid the rich treasures of Gospel doctrines and promises; and the church, and all truly enlightened persons, consider to what use this field may be put, to what account it will turn; how profitable the Scriptures are, for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness; what a rich mine and valuable treasure is in them; things more desirable, and of greater worth, than thousands of gold and silver; and therefore will buy this field at any rate, and not sell it; will part with all they have before they will part with that; even life itself, which in an improper sense is called buying of it, though it is without money and without price; see ( Matthew 13:44 ) ; with the fruit of her hand she planteth a vineyard;
her own vineyard, whose plants are an orchard of pomegranates, ( Song of Solomon 1:6 ) ( 4:13 ) ; who through the ministry of the word, are planted in the house of the Lord, and flourish there; this the church is said to do by her ministers, who plant and water, as Paul and Apollos did, ( 1 Corinthians 3:6 1 Corinthians 3:7 ) . And it is observable, that in the Hebrew text there is a double reading; the "Keri", or marginal reading, is feminine; but the "Cetib", or writing, is masculine; to show that she did it by means of men, she made use of in her vineyard for that service; it being, as Aben Ezra observes, not the custom and business of women to plant vineyards, but men. It may be rendered, "he planted", and be applied to her husband, Christ; who, through the ministry of the word in his church, plants souls in it; and happy are they who are the planting of the Lord! trees of righteousness, that he may be glorified, ( Isaiah 61:3 ) .