Proverbs 31:12

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 31:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“She will do him good, and not evil, etc.] Or, repay good unto him, give him thanks for all the good things bestowed by him on her; will seek his interest, and promote his honour and glory to the uttermost; all the good works she does, which she is qualified for, and ready to perform, are all done in his name and strength, and with a view to his glory; nor will she do any evil willingly and knowingly against him, against his truths and ordinances; or that is detrimental to his honour, and prejudicial to his interest, (<471308>2 Corinthians 13:8); all the days of her life; through which she desires to serve him in righteousness and true holiness; and to be steadfast and immovable, always…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“do . . . good--contribute good to him.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Sa1 25:18-22, Sa1 25:26, Sa1 25:27 Proverbs 31:13”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“12 ג She doeth good to him, and not evil, All the days of her life; or, as Luther translates: "Sie thut jm liebs und kein leids." \[She does him good, and no harm.\] She is far from ever doing him evil, she does him only good all her life long; her love is not dependent on freaks, it rests on deep moral grounds, and hence derives its power and purity, which remain ever the same. גּמל signifies to accomplish, to perform. To the not assimilated form גּמלתהוּ, cf. יסּרתּוּ, 1b. Proverbs 31:13”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification