Proverbs 31:10

“Who can find a virtuous woman, etc.] This part of the chapter is disjoined from the rest in the Septuagint and Arabic versions; and Huetiusf935 thinks it is a composition of some other person, and not Lemuel’s mother, whose words he supposes end at (<203109>Proverbs 31:9); but it is generally thought that what follows to the end of the chapter is a continuance of her words, in which she describes a person as a fit wife for her son. Some think that Bathsheba gave the materials, the sum and substance of this beautiful description, to Solomon; who put it in the artificial form it is, each verse beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order till the whole is gone through; though rather…”

“This exquisite picture of a truly lovely wife is conceived and drawn in accordance with the customs of Eastern nations, but its moral teachings suit all climes. In Hebrew the verses begin with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order (compare Introduction to Poetical Books). Who . . . woman--The question implies that such are rare, though not entirely wanting (compare Pro 18:22; Pro 19:14). virtuous--literally, "of strength," that is, moral courage (compare Pro 12:4; Rut 3:11). her price, &c.--(compare Pro 3:15).”

“See the introduction to Proverbs. Rubies - Better, pearls. See the Proverbs 3:15 note. return to 'Top of Page'”

“A virtuous woman - Here he lays down several qualifications of an excellent wife, which are delivered in alphabetical order, each verse beginning with a several letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Proverbs 31:11”

“31:10-31 Proverbs ends with a powerful poem celebrating the virtuous wife. The poem’s acrostic arrangement gives an impression of completeness and provides the student with an aid for learning. 31:10-12 No one can find a virtuous and capable wife without God’s help (18:22). Such a woman, like wisdom, is more precious than rubies (cp. 3:15).”

“Who: This is the commencement of an alphabetical poem, each verse beginning consecutively with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet; in which we are presented with an admirable picture of a good wife, according to the primitive manners of the East. can: Pro 12:4, Pro 18:22, Pro 19:14; Rut 3:11; Ecc 7:28; Sol 6:8, Sol 6:9; Eph 5:25-33 her: Pro 3:15, Pro 8:11, Pro 20:15 Proverbs 31:11”

“A wife, such as she ought to be, is a rare treasure, a good excelling all earthly possession: 10 א A virtuous woman, who findeth her! She stands far above pearls in worth. In the connection אושׁת חיל and the like, the idea of bodily vigour is spiritualized to that of capacity, ability, and is generalized; in virtus the corresponding transition from manliness, and in the originally Romanic "Bravheit," valour to ability, is completed; we have translated as at Pro 12:4, but also Luther, "a virtuous woman," is suitable, since Tugend (virtue) has with Tchtigkeit \[ability\] the same root-word, and according to our linguistic \[German\] usage designates the property of moral goodness and…”