Proverbs 31 Study Notes

31:1 This chapter was written by Lemuel (cp. 1:1; 30:1). He was not a king in Israel, so he was probably a foreign king who converted to the worship of Israel’s God (cp. Dn 4:34).

31:2 The Hebrew word for what is probably an implicit call to listen (1:8; 4:1) or a rhetorical question, “What should you do?” Lemuel’s mother probably made a vow before his conception (1Sm 1:11).

31:3 Women . . . who destroy kings are either adulteresses (6:26,32; 30:20) or multiple wives (Dt 17:17; 1Kg 11:1-4). David diverted his energy to an affair, and it distorted his judgment and ruined his family (2Sm 11-12).

31:4-5 People in positions of authority should avoid wine and beer, which could affect their judgment (Is 5:22-23; Am 6:6; Eph 5:18; Ti 1:7). Since all persons wear a hat of authority at some point—whether as a parent or a voter in a representative organization—this warning applies to all. The king has a special responsibility to protect the oppressed (vv. 8-9; cp. 3:34; 29:4,14).

31:6-7 This is a sarcastic command (cp. 19:27) intended to emphasize that alcohol is not appropriate for kings.

31:8-9 Having no voice means being unable to be effective in court and get a fair hearing. The dispossessed are literally “vanishing.” Each person has a responsibility to help the needy (Ps 82:3; Is 1:17).

31:10-31 This poem is an alphabetic acrostic. While Pr 1-9 describe the virtues of the symbolic lady wisdom, this passage celebrates the ideal flesh-and-blood wife. Just as most of the exhortations to the “son” in the rest of Proverbs can be applied to all people of both genders, everyone can learn from the example of this capable wife.

31:10 Noble character (Ru 2:1; 3:11) implies practical competence (v. 29; cp. Gn 47:6), physical strength (“energy” in Pr 31:3; cp. Jdg 3:29), and financial wealth (Pr 13:22; cp. Ps 49:6.)

31:11 This is the only case where the Bible commends trusting in anything but God; her husband can trust her because she is godly. Anything good is literally “spoil”; it refers to her abundant profits (v. 18).

31:12 “Good . . . is a metonymy for all that is spiritually and physically desirable and beneficial to life,” emphasized by not evil (Bruce Waltke).

31:13 Flax fibers were used to make linen (Dt 22:11; Ezk 44:18).

31:14 She could afford imported food.

31:15 Food is literally “prey” (Ps 111:5; Mal 3:10), implying diligence, strength, and cunning (Jb 24:5; 38:39).

31:16-17 It requires tremendous strength to earn the extra money to buy a vineyard, then to clear it of stones, plant the vines, dig a winepress, and build a tower to protect it (Is 5:2).

31:18 The burning lamp symbolizes long life and prosperity (20:20).

31:19 The spinning staff and spindle were used to make thread and to twist it into yarn.

31:20 Her devotion is not only to her family but also to her community.

31:21 If the Masoretic Text reading “dressed in scarlet” is correct, it implies warm wool, since linen does not readily accept dye.

31:22 These bed coverings were probably for comfort and decoration (7:16). Fine linen may have been imported from Egypt, and purple dye came from Phoenicia (Ezk 27:7).

31:23 On gates, see note at 24:7. She enabled her husband to sit among the elders, a respected local authority.

31:24 She sells everything, from the inner linen garments that are put on first, to the outer belt or sash.

31:25 She has strength like the young and honor like the old (20:29).

31:26 Her instruction arises out of wisdom and love (Hb chesed, see note at 19:22).

31:27 She is noted for vigilance and diligence. Is never idle is literally “does not eat the food of idleness.” She is no sluggard.

31:28-31 Here the wife is recognized and rewarded for her character and works. Even if all the rare noble women were gathered, her husband says she would surpass them. Charm is grace or favor (11:16; 22:1), and beauty is outward appearance (6:25; Ezk 16:14); both are temporary (see “fraud” in note at Pr 13:11). The end reward of wisdom depends on its beginning: the fear of the Lord (see 1:7; 9:10; 15:33 and notes there).