Proverbs 31 Commentary

“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:”

Give. Septuagint, “Do all with counsel. By advice drink wine. Lords are inclined to anger; let them not drink wine.” (Haydock) — Solomon took this advice, Ecclesiastes ii. 3.

“Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted . prevert: Heb. alter of any: Heb. of all the sons of affliction”

Poor. Solon condemned to death, at Athens, the prince who should get drunk; and the Areopagites excluded from their assembly a judge who had dined in a tavern. (Laert. 1.; Athen. xiii. 2.)

“Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. of: Heb. bitter of soul”

Drink. Hebrew shecar, particularly palm-wine. — Are sad. Hebrew, “perish,” being sentenced to die; (Mark xv. 23., and Amos ii. 8.) or, who grieve and mourn for one deceased. On such occasions no food was prepared in the house, but the friends supplied what was necessary, and went to eat and drink with the afflicted, Ecclesiastes vii. 3.

“Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.”

More. Not that intoxication is permitted even to them.

“Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. such: Heb. the sons of destruction”

Pass through life, or the country. (Calmet) — Septuagint, “Open thy mouth and judge righteously. Render justice to the poor and weak.” (Haydock) — Doctrine is best received by those who are more ready to hear than to speak. (Worthington)

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”

Who. The following verses are in alphabetical order. They contain a grand eulogy of Bethsabee, who repented, or of a perfect matron. (Calmet) — Such are rare, though they may be found. (Worthington) — Valiant; industrious. — Price. Formerly people bought their wives. (Calmet) — Is. Hebrew, “is far above rubies (Protestants; Haydock) or pearls,” Lamentations iv. 7.

“The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.”

Spoils, taken in war. His wife will supply all necessaries, ver. 21.

“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.”

Hands, with skill and industry, (Calmet) or “willingness.” (Hebrew) (Menochius) — Ladies of the highest quality formerly employed themselves in this manner, like Penelope. Alexander, Augustus, and Charlemagne wore garments, which their sisters or wives had wrought. (Curt. 5.) (Suetonius 64.) (Eginhard.)

“She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.”

Bread; all that is used for meat and drink. Septuagint, “riches.” Grabe, “livelihood:” Bion. (Haydock)

“She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.”

Night, or early in the morning, as soon as the night was over; de nocte. Hebrew, “while it is yet night.” (Haydock) — Extreme vigilance is required of those who direct others. “The master must be first up, and last in bed.” (Cato v.)

“She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. buyeth: Heb. taketh”

Considered. This conduct is suggested by prudence. (Calmet) — Cato (Rust. 2.) says, “Do not go only once round the field,” &c.

“She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.”

Arm; working, and making others obey.

“She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She: Heb. She tasteth”

Night, during a great part of which she will work.

“She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.”

Strong things, “becoming” (Septuagint) her station. (Calmet) — Spindle. She purposes and begins well, trusting in God for perfection and a reward. (Worthington)

“She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. scarlet: or, double garments”

Domestics. Hebrew, “house is clothed in purple,” which may be understood of the domestics, though it seems more probably to refer to her husband and children.

“She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.”

Tapestry, for the beds and floor. — Linen, or cotton; byssus, Exodus xxv. 4.

“Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.”

Gates. Chaldean, “provinces.” The rich were chosen for judges. (Calmet)

“She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.”

The Chanaanite, the merchant; for Chanaanite, in Hebrew, signifies a merchant. (Challoner) — The Phœnicians travelled into all countries. Traffic was not then deemed a discredit, even to kings. — Girdles were worn both by men and women, and were very costly, insomuch that (Calmet) the kings of Persia assigned cities to furnish their wives with them. (Athen. i. in Antylla.) — They who practise and teach the law may be said to buy and sell. (Worthington)

“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.”

Clothing: it is very beautiful, or wisdom and virtue surround her. — Day. She fears not death, (Calmet) or future distress of hunger, &c. (Jansenius)

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”

Tongue. She is ever bent on doing good. (Haydock) — Very different from many of her sex, who are taken up with vanity and complaints. (Calmet)

“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”

Idle, out of a sense of duty, and not through avarice.

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”

Her. They were best able to judge of her merit.

“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”

Lord. Hitherto natural qualifications appear: but to these the Christian matron must add sincere piety: and thus Solomon completes the character of his mother, (Calmet) who had given him such excellent instructions, or of any accomplished woman. Outward beauty soon (Haydock) decays; but the fear of God is more deserving of praise. (Worthington)

“Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

Gates, before all the judges (Haydock) and people. (Menochius) — Good works shall be rewarded at God’s tribunal, (Worthington) when the vain worldly beauty shall be covered with confusion. (Haydock) — This idea of a perfect woman is best verified in the Catholic Church, (St. Augustine; Ven. Bede) though the blessed Virgin [Mary], &c., may also be designated. (Worthington) — The use of the alphabet herein denotes, that we must begin with a moral good life, if we would penetrate the greater mysteries of the Scriptures. (St. Jerome) (Lam.[Lamentations?])