In short
An amazing description of an exemplary wife and mother.
Why it is important
It’s inspiring to any generation. This woman is utterly dignified and respected, yet wholly under the authority of her husband. She’s not defying any biblical roles here, but neither is she the helpless wench that modern entertainment portrays godly women as.
What is in this poem
Something really cool that gets lost in translation: the poem is a Hebrew acrostic; each of the 22 verses begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet (in order). We may never know why, but I like the notion that this woman’s excellent qualities run from “A to Z.”
As such, there are not subsections of the poem like all the ones we have looked at before. This poem is just a continuous list of good qualities.
Theology and doctrine
One thing that stands out is how industrious the woman is. Titus 2:5 says young women are to be “workers at home” (ASV), but that doesn’t have to mean that she never LEAVES the house. Proverbs 31 shows her working in the home, trading with others, and seemingly making a profit, too.
Of course, the thing that really defines the ideal woman is her faithfulness. “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised,” Prov 31:30.
The text, in KJV
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
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