Maternal wisdom uniquely shapes royal ideology here, as King Lemuel's mother becomes the only woman in Proverbs explicitly teaching statecraft and judicial responsibility.
Proverbs 31
King Lemuel's Mother's Teaching
1The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
The Virtuous Woman
10Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
16She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
19She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
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Theme
Proverbs 31 presents two complementary teachings on wisdom and virtue. The first section records the counsel of King Lemuel's mother, who instructs her son to avoid destructive behaviors and instead champion justice for the vulnerable and oppressed. The second section offers an extended portrait of the 'woman of valor' (eshet chayil), celebrating her industriousness, wisdom, generosity, and fear of the Lord as the foundation of true worth.
Context
This final chapter of Proverbs serves as a fitting conclusion to the book's exploration of wisdom, demonstrating how divine wisdom manifests in both leadership and domestic life.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 Introduction to Lemuel's Mother's Teaching King Lemuel introduces the wisdom his mother imparted to him with affectionate address.
- 3-7 Warnings Against Royal Vices The mother warns against sexual excess and drunkenness that compromise leadership and justice.
- 8-9 Call to Champion Justice She charges her son to speak for the voiceless and defend the poor and needy.
- 10-12 The Virtuous Woman's Worth and Trustworthiness The poem begins by establishing her rare value and her husband's complete confidence in her.
- 13-19 Her Industry and Enterprise She demonstrates remarkable work ethic, business acumen, and productive labor from dawn to night.
- 20-27 Her Care for Others and Household Management She extends generosity to the needy while skillfully managing her family's needs and reputation.
- 28-31 Recognition and True Beauty Her family praises her excellence, and the poem concludes that fear of the Lord surpasses superficial charm.
King Lemuel's Mother's Teaching
31:1–31:9 wisdom instruction solemn
King Lemuel's mother instructs him on righteous leadership, warning against wine and women while commanding him to defend the poor and afflicted with justice.
theme_rarity
Maternal wisdom uniquely shapes royal ideology here, as King Lemuel's mother becomes the only woman in Proverbs explicitly teaching statecraft and judicial responsibility.
The Virtuous Woman
31:10–31:31 wisdom instruction celebratory
An acrostic poem praising the virtuous woman who fears the Lord, describing her industriousness, generosity to the poor, and wise management of her household.
theme_rarity
The Hebrew acrostic structure of this poem mirrors creation's order, with each letter building the portrait of a woman whose economic prowess and charitable giving uniquely balance household prosperity with community care.
Insights
The Hebrew acrostic structure of this poem mirrors creation's order, with each letter building the portrait of a woman whose economic prowess and charitable giving uniquely balance household prosperity with community care.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Proverbs 31:4 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Samuel 1:15 Lexical
Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have not been drinking wine or strong drink, but I…
Numbers 6:3 Lexical
he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of fermented drink,…
Isaiah 24:9 Lexical
They will not drink wine with a song. Strong drink will be bitter to those who drink it.
Leviticus 10:9 Lexical
“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This…
Judges 13:14 Lexical
She may not eat of anything that comes of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thin…
Proverbs 31:7 1 reference
Proverbs 31:9 5 references
Lexicals 5
Jeremiah 22:16 Lexical
He judged the cause of the poor and needy; so then it was well. Wasn’t this to know me?” says the LORD.
Psalms 72:2 Lexical
He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
Jeremiah 5:28 Lexical
They have grown fat. They shine; yes, they excel in deeds of wickedness. They don’t plead the cause, the cause of the fa…
Psalms 37:14 Lexical
The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upr…
Deuteronomy 15:11 Lexical
For the poor will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your…
Proverbs 31:13 5 references
Lexicals 5
Leviticus 13:47 Lexical
“The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it is a woolen garment, or a linen garment;
Leviticus 13:59 Lexical
This is the law of the plague of mildew in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp, or the woof, or in anything o…
Leviticus 13:48 Lexical
whether it is in warp or woof; of linen or of wool; whether in leather, or in anything made of leather;
Leviticus 13:52 Lexical
He shall burn the garment, whether the warp or the woof, in wool or in linen, or anything of leather, in which the plagu…
Ezekiel 44:17 Lexical
“‘“It will be that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments. No woo…
Proverbs 31:16 1 reference
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