The Virtuous Woman

The words

1. Candle

   Lamp, in the NET’s rendering.

   Her candle does not go out by night, in the verse where she recognizes that her merchandise is good.

   Proverbs 31:18 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Proverbs 31:17-24 (opens a new tab)

2. Children

   Her children rise and call her blessed, while her husband praises her; the poem then voices praise above other women.

   Proverbs 31:28–29 (opens a new tab)

3. Distaff

   The KJV places the distaff in her hands, alongside the spindle; both appear amid wool, flax and textile work.

   Proverbs 31:13 (opens a new tab) · Proverbs 31:19 (opens a new tab)

4. Favour

   Charm, in the NET’s rendering.

   The closing contrast calls favour deceitful and beauty vain, then praises the woman who fears the LORD.

   Proverbs 31:30 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Proverbs 31:25-31 (opens a new tab)

5. Honour

   Splendor or dignity, in the NET note.

   The poem pictures strength and honour as her clothing, then describes her rejoicing in time to come.

   Proverbs 31:25 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Proverbs 31:25-31 (opens a new tab)

6. Husband

   Her husband’s heart trusts her near the opening; later he is known among the elders and joins her children in praise.

   Proverbs 31:11 (opens a new tab) · Proverbs 31:23 (opens a new tab) · Proverbs 31:28 (opens a new tab)

7. Merchandise

   Girdles is rendered belts in the NET.

   She perceives that her merchandise is good; later she makes and sells fine linen and delivers girdles to a merchant.

   Proverbs 31:18; Proverbs 31:24 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Proverbs 31:17-24 (opens a new tab)

8. Poor

   She stretches out her hand to the poor and reaches toward the needy, placing generosity beside the description of skilled hands.

   Proverbs 31:19–20 (opens a new tab)

9. Rejoice

   The KJV says she shall rejoice in time to come; the NET describes her laughing at the time to come.

   Proverbs 31:25 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Proverbs 31:25-31 (opens a new tab)

10. Rubies

    Her worth is said to be far above rubies; the NET note says the exact gemstone behind the Hebrew word is unknown.

    Proverbs 31:10 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Proverbs 31:10-16 (opens a new tab)

11. Spindle

    The KJV names the spindle as the tool her hands reach toward; the next verse turns from skilled hands to generosity.

    Did you know?

    The Met records the pictured spindle as wooden, excavated at Lisht North in Egypt.

    Proverbs 31:19–20 (opens a new tab) · Met Museum: wooden spindle (opens a new tab)

12. Strength

    She girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms; later strength joins honour in the poem’s image of clothing.

    Proverbs 31:17 (opens a new tab) · Proverbs 31:25 (opens a new tab)

13. Tongue

    Her mouth opens with wisdom, and her tongue carries the law of kindness; the NET renders the latter as loving instruction.

    Proverbs 31:26 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Proverbs 31:25-31 (opens a new tab)

14. Virtuous

    Of noble character, in the NET’s rendering.

    Virtuous introduces the woman’s portrait; the following verses show her buying a field, planting a vineyard and helping the needy.

    Did you know?

    The KJV also calls Ruth a “virtuous woman” in Ruth 3:11; the NET note identifies the same Hebrew expression.

    Proverbs 31:10; Proverbs 31:16 (opens a new tab) · Proverbs 31:20 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Proverbs 31:10-16 (opens a new tab) · Ruth 3:11 (opens a new tab)

15. Woman

    The poem opens by asking who can find a virtuous woman and ends by calling for her own works to praise her.

    Did you know?

    The NET notes that the poem is an acrostic: its twenty-two verses follow the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

    Proverbs 31:10 (opens a new tab) · Proverbs 31:31 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Proverbs 31:10-16 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Proverbs 31:25-31 (opens a new tab)