Proverbs 31:20

“She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, etc.] Her liberality is very extensive, reaches to many, and at a distance; it is done with great cheerfulness and readiness; to do good and communicate, she forgets not, it being acceptable to her Lord and husband, (<581316>Hebrews 13:16); yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy; she gives with both hands, liberally and largely. It may be applied to the church, giving spiritual food by her ministers to those who are poor in spirit, spiritually poor and needy, and who hunger and thirst after righteousness.”

“Industry enables her to be charitable.”

“The industry is not selfish, but bears the fruit of an open-handed charity. return to 'Top of Page'”

“She stretcheth: Heb. She spreadeth, Pro 1:24; Rom 10:21 she reacheth: Pro 19:17, Pro 22:9; Job 31:16-20; Psa 41:1, Psa 112:9; Ecc 11:1, Ecc 11:2; Mar 14:7; Act 9:39-41, Act 20:34, Act 20:35; Eph 4:28; Heb 13:16 Proverbs 31:21”

“That which impels the housewife to this labour is not selfishness, not a narrow-hearted limitation of her care to the circle of what is her own, but love, which reaches out far beyond this circle: 20 כ She holdeth out her hand to the unfortunate, And stretcheth forth her hands to the needy. With כּפּיה, 19b, is connected the idea of artistic skilfulness; with כּפּהּ, here that of offering for counsel (vid., at Isa 2:6); with sympathy and readiness to help, she presents herself to those who are oppressed by the misfortunes of life as if for an alliance, as if saying: place confidence in me, I shall do whatever I can - there thou hast my hand! Hitzig erroneously thinks of the open hand with a…”