Proverbs 31:23
Read Proverbs 31:23 Using Other Translations
What does Proverbs 31:23 mean?
Her husband is known in the gates
Of the city, where courts of justice were kept, and causes heard
and tried by the judges, the elders of the land, later mentioned;
among whom the husband of the virtuous woman was, where he was
known, taken notice of, and celebrated; not so much for the
beautiful garments she made him, as Jarchi; but rather for his
wisdom, as Gersom, and for being the husband of such a woman;
who, taking such care of his domestic affairs, he was more at
leisure to attend public business, and transact it with
reputation. Christ is the husband of the church in general, and
of particular churches, and of every private believer; he fell in
love with them, asked them of his Father, and betrothed them to
himself; and is a kind, tender, loving, and sympathizing husband
to his church and people; that nourishes and cherishes them, and
provides all things for them, and interests them in all he has:
and he is "known" by them, in the dignity of his person, in the
excellency of his offices, and the fulness of his grace; he is
known by them in the relation of an husband; he is well known in
the church of God, in the assembly of his saints, ( Psalms 76:1 ) ; he is
known in the gates of Zion, in the public ministering of the word
and ordinances; his name is celebrated, it becomes great and
famous, wherever his Gospel is preached in the world; he is,
``known in the provinces,''as the Targum; or,
``among the cities,''as the Syriac version; among the nations of the world, in the cities of the Gentiles; as he will be, even from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, ( Malachi 1:11 ) ; when he sitteth among the elders of the land;
when he sits in his house, at his table, circled by his saints, his ancient ones; or as King, head, and husband of his people, on his throne in the church, encompassed with, the four and twenty elders, the representatives of Gospel churches, ( Revelation 4:2-4 ) . And especially when he shall take to himself his great power, and reign gloriously before his ancients, the patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, and all his saints, which will come with him; whom he has loved with an everlasting love; who were chosen in him before the foundation of the world; and had grace given them, in him, before the world began, ( Isaiah 24:23 ) ; and when he shall come to judge the world, and will appear in great glory, and be seen and known of all; and shall sit on his throne of glory, and his elders also, sitting on twelve thrones, judging the tribes of Israel, ( Matthew 19:28 ) ; so Ambrose interprets it of the universal judgment.
