Proverbs 11:16

“A gracious woman retaineth honour, etc.] Or “a woman of grace”f307 one that has the grace of God in her heart, and is of a virtuous conversation, and by both amiable and lovely to others; as she receives honour or glory from them, which she deserves, so she retains the same. The Targum is, “a gracious woman divides glory;” that is, between herself and her husband; to which the Arabic version agrees, which renders it, “a gracious woman raises up glory to her husband.” Jarchi interprets it of the congregation of Israel; his note is, “the congregation of Israel continually draws nigh to the glory of God and his law;” and it may be applied to the true church of Christ, which seeks the glory of…”

“retaineth--or literally, "lay hold of as a support." Honor is to a feeble woman thus as valuable as riches to men.”

“Or, “The gracious woman wins and keeps honor, as (the conjunction may be so rendered) strong men win riches.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“Gracious woman - A woman endued with the grace of God. Retaineth - Or, holdeth fast her honour, or reputation. Proverbs 11:18”

“11:16 Respect is the great and lasting reward of being gracious, while wealth is the lesser and temporary prize of being ruthless (see also 10:2; 11:18).”

“gracious: Pro 31:30, Pro 31:31; Sa1 25:32, Sa1 25:33; Sa2 20:16-22; Est 9:25; Mat 26:13; Luk 8:3; Luk 10:42, Luk 21:2-4; Act 9:39, Act 16:14, Act 16:15; Rom 16:2-4, Rom 16:6; Jo2 1:1 and: Luk 11:21, Luk 11:22 Proverbs 11:17”

“16 A gracious woman retaineth honour, And strong men retain riches. The lxx had אשׁת חן (not אשׁת חיל ton( א) in view: γυνὴ εὐχάριστος ἐγείρει ἀνδρὶ δόξαν, - this ἀνδρί is an interpolation inserted for the sake of the added line, θρόνος δὲ ἀτιμίας γυνὴ μισοῦσα δίκαια. The proverb thus expanded is on both sides true: an amiable woman (gratiosa) brings honour to her husband, gives him relief, while one who hates the right (that which is good, gentle) is a disgraceful vessel (opp. כּסּא כּבוד, Isa 22:23), which disfigures the household, makes the family unloved, and lowers it. But the commencing line, by which 16b is raised to an independent distich, is so much the more…”