Proverbs
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Proverbs 31
Proverbs 31
1The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
Commentary · verse 1
2What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
3Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
Commentary · verses 2-3
Do not give yourself to women (plural) or go the way that destroyed kings. Solomon had many wives that led his heart away from God.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?
5Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.
6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul: 7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
8Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Commentary · verses 4-9
The job of a king was to remember the Law, enforce judgment, and plead the cause of the poor and the needy. Focusing on women and strong drink would distract a king from doing his job. This mini-section stated the purpose of strong drink was to allow those who were in pain to have temporary relief from the knowledge that they were in misery.
Doctrines on this passage
10A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Commentary · verse 10
A worthy (virtuous) woman was extremely valuable. What followed was the description of a woman, not only a wife. The role of wife was only one aspect of the role of a woman.
11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.
12She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Commentary · verses 11-12
A virtuous wife would create and not destroy. Her husband would trust in her.
13She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Commentary · verses 13-16
A virtuous woman was a business person. She was a working woman. She made business decisions. She was a provider.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable; Her lamp goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
Commentary · verses 17-20
She provided/created to excess, not only for the family, but also to the poor and needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Commentary · verses 21-23
She did her role well so that her husband could do his role well, which was to sit at the city gates and discuss Doctrine with the men and protect.
24She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Commentary · verse 24
More examples of a woman as planner and provider: She was abundant, she made money off of what she created. Were Solomon's many wives planners and providers, or was Solomon the planner and provider?
25Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying: 29Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.
25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Commentary · verses 25-29
Intangible qualities that were effects of her ability to plan and provide.
30Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Commentary · verses 30-31
A virtuous woman feared the Lord (cause). The proof (effects) she was virtuous was profitability.
Commentary · verse 31
What is the definition of "woman" and "man"?
- According to God's Word, the definition of a woman was "the sex of the human species that intentionally creates profitable effects, based on her uniqueness, from causes given to her."
- According to God's Word, the definition of a man was "the sex of the human species that intentionally focuses on the causes regardless of the effects."
Men ought to be serving women, facilitating the purpose and progress of women, which was the definition of leadership. Notice, there was no mention of responding physically to an emergency: war, fighting fires, rescuing people and animals, etc. Men were made to do the immediate physical work. Women were made to do the planning and providing.
The Book of Proverbs was the third of the five books that made up the poetic section of the Old Testament. Girls of Israel memorized the Book of Proverbs and the Book of Psalms. Most of the proverbs were written by Solomon but seemed to reflect the life of his father, David. David being a man after God's own Heart meant every time David was corrected he immediately humbled himself and grew. The overarching theme of the Book of Proverbs was that the wise people rejoiced when they were rebuked because they knew it would lead to growth. However, the foolish became angry when they were corrected because they were in pride. Specifically, Solomon's proverbs focused on the importance of understanding, managing emotions, the perspective of the king/judge, frustration associated with fools, interactions between people, and contrasting of the righteous with the wicked. The final two chapters of the Book of Proverbs could not have been written by Solomon because the first focused on experiential lists that were too mundane for Solomon and the second, written by a woman, contained information Solomon clearly lacked. In fact, the next book of the Old Testament proved Solomon lacked this information...
The words of Lemuel from his mother to him, not Solomon. This proverb was written by a woman. As you read this proverb, ask yourself if Solomon would have benefited from this information...