Proverbs 31:18

18 She hath perceived when her merchandise [is] good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.

Proverbs 31:18 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 31:18

She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good
That it turns to good account; that her trading to heaven is of great advantage; that she grows rich hereby; that her merchandise with Wisdom, or Christ, is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereby than fine gold; and though her voyages are attended with trouble and danger, yet are profitable, and therefore she is not discouraged, but determined to pursue them; she is like the merchant man, seeking goodly pearls, who finds a pearl of great price, worth all his trouble; (See Gill on Proverbs 31:14) and see ( Proverbs 3:14 ) ( Matthew 13:45 Matthew 13:46 ) ; her candle goeth not out by night;
or "lamp" F19; her lamp of profession, which is always kept burning, ( Luke 12:35 ) ; or the glorious light of the Gospel, which always continues in the darkest times the church ever has been in; or her spiritual prosperity, which, though it may be damped, will never be extinct; when the candle of the wicked is often put out, ( Job 21:17 ) ; It may denote her diligence in working; who, as she rises early in the morning, ( Proverbs 31:15 ) , so sits up late at night, and is never weary of well doing, night and day. Ambrose interprets it of the lamp of hope, which burns in the night, and by and for which men work, ( Romans 8:24 ) ( 1 Corinthians 9:10 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (hrn) "lucerna ejus", V. L. Tigurine version, Michaelis, Schultens.

Proverbs 31:18 In-Context

16 She hath considered a field, and taketh it, From the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
17 She hath girded with might her loins, And doth strengthen her arms.
18 She hath perceived when her merchandise [is] good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
19 Her hands she hath sent forth on a spindle, And her hands have held a distaff.
20 Her hand she hath spread forth to the poor, Yea, her hands she sent forth to the needy.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.