Proverbs 31:17

“She girdeth her loins with strength, etc.] Showing her readiness to every good work; and with what cheerfulness, spirit, and resolution, she set about it, and with what dispatch and expedition she performed it: the allusion is to the girding and tucking up of long garments, wore in the eastern countries, when any work was set about in earnest, which required dispatch; (see <421708>Luke 17:8 12:35); the strength of creatures being in their loins, (<184016>Job 40:16); the loins are sometimes put for strength, as in Plautusf957; and the sense is much the same with what follows; and strengtheneth her arms; does all she finds to do with all her might and main, as the church does; not in her own…”

“To energy she adds a watchfulness in bargains, and a protracted and painful industry. The last clause may figuratively denote that her prosperity (compare Pro 24:20) is not short lived.”

“Girdeth - She uses great diligence and expedition in her employment; for which end, men in those times used to gird up their long and loose garments about their loins. Strengtheneth - Puts forth her utmost strength in her business. Proverbs 31:18”

“girdeth: Kg1 18:46; Kg2 4:29; Job 38:3; Luk 12:35; Eph 6:10, Eph 6:14; Pe1 1:13 strengtheneth: Gen 49:24; Isa 44:12; Hos 7:15 Proverbs 31:18”

“The poet has this augmented household wealth in his eye, for he continues: 17 ח She girdeth her loins with strength, And moveth vigorously her arms. Strength is as the girdle which she wraps around her body ( Psa 93:1). We write חגרה בעוז; both words have Munach, and the ב of בעוז is aspirated. Thus girded with strength, out of this fulness of strength she makes firm or steels her arms (cf. Psa 89:22). The produce of the field and vineyard extend far beyond the necessity of her house; thus a great portion is brought to sale, and the gain thence arising stimulates the industry and the diligence of the unwearied woman. Proverbs 31:18”