Proverbs Chapter 31 — The Virtuous Woman and Wise Counsel
Proverbs 31 presents a mother's advice to a king on leadership and justice, followed by a celebrated poem describing a woman of noble character.
1The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2“Oh, my son!
3Don’t give your strength to women,
4It is not for kings, Lemuel,
5lest they drink, and forget the law,
6Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish,
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
8Open your mouth for the mute,
9Open your mouth, judge righteously,
10*Proverbs 31:10-31 form an acrostic, with each verse starting with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order.Who can find a worthy woman?
11The heart of her husband trusts in her.
12She does him good, and not harm,
13She seeks wool and flax,
14She is like the merchant ships.
15She rises also while it is yet night,
16She considers a field, and buys it.
17She arms her waist with strength,
18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
19She lays her hands to the distaff,
20She opens her arms to the poor;
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
22She makes for herself carpets of tapestry.
23Her husband is respected in the gates,
24She makes linen garments and sells them,
25Strength and dignity are her clothing.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom.
27She looks well to the ways of her household,
28Her children rise up and call her blessed.
29“Many women do noble things,
30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
31Give her of the fruit of her hands!
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Proverbs 31:8
“Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.”
This verse emphasizes the responsibility of leaders to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Proverbs 31:10
“Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.”
It introduces the famous acrostic poem celebrating a woman of exceptional character and value.
Proverbs 31:30
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.”
It shifts the focus from outward appearance to inner spiritual character as the true source of worth.
Chapter Summary
Proverbs 31 begins with the instructions of King Lemuel's mother, advising him against excessive living and advocating for the defense of the poor and helpless. She warns that a king's strength should not be wasted on things that cloud judgment, such as strong drink, which leads to the perversion of justice. The second half of the chapter is an acrostic poem detailing the characteristics of a 'worthy woman.' She is described as industrious, wise, and compassionate, managing her household with diligence while engaging in trade and agriculture. She provides for her family, helps the poor, and speaks with wisdom. The chapter concludes by noting that while charm and beauty are fleeting, a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised and rewarded for the fruit of her labor.
Frequently Asked Questions
King Lemuel is identified in the first verse as a ruler who received a revelation or oracle from his mother. While his exact historical identity is not confirmed elsewhere in the Bible, his name means 'belonging to God.'
The description, spanning verses 10 to 31, is an acrostic poem where each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It portrays a woman who is hardworking, business-savvy, generous to the poor, and deeply respected by her family.
She warns the king against drinking alcohol to excess, as it can cause a ruler to forget the law and pervert justice. Instead, she encourages him to use his position to judge righteously and protect the rights of the destitute.
Study Note
The passage from verse 10 to 31 is an alphabetical acrostic in Hebrew, a literary device often used in ancient poetry to aid memorization and signify completeness.
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