The Study of Proverbs
31:10-31
This is one of the most well-known passages in the book of Proverbs. It describes the virtuous wife. The
verses are written in acrostic form using, in order, the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. John MacArthur
believes it describes a wealthy home with the customs of the ancient Near East. But he believes the
principles apply to every home. “Such a woman is the ideal of wisdom in action.” (Nelson’s New Illustrated
Bible Commentary). Proverbs 12:4 says, “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband…”
The Virtuous wife 10-31
(10) This wife is rare – “Who can find a virtuous wife” is the question. She is rare. We will find that this
passage describes the ideal wife. But again, the principles of hard work, trustworthiness, doing good,
being wise in her dealings, etc. can be attainable goals. Ruth had a “virtuous” reputation in the town
(Ruth 3:11). Ladies and wives can have that today as well.
(11) She is trustworthy – Her husband can trust her with their possessions, money, or wealth. She will
not treat it carelessly, foolishly, or with greed.
(12) She does her husband good – Her husband does not worry about his wife harming his character,
reputation, etc. in the community because “she does him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
Concerning clothing and food:
(13) “She seeks wool and flax” from which to make clothing from. (No clothing stores to buy clothes
from.)
(14-15) She doesn’t mind going far to secure food for the family. Her family evidently rises early because
she is up early (while it is yet night) to provide food for her household. “And a portion for her
maidservants” might speak of their portion of the food or their portion of the duties.
(16) Her wisdom outside the home - She wisely “considers” a field before buying it. Then she uses the
profits to plant a vineyard!
(17) Her physical strength – She pays attention to her physical strength that she knows she will need.
(18) She is satisfied – As she surveys her merchandise, she is satisfied with that which will minister to
her family because this is the reason for her endeavors, not her own ego. Her endeavors take her passed
light into the night. (“A woman’s work is never done” is the saying and we see it here.)
(19-24) She reaches out her hand – She reaches out her hand to make cloth for clothing (19) and to help
the needy (20). Perhaps she makes extra cloth to cloth the needy who cannot provide for themselves.
The results of her diligence are seen in her family (21), in her own clothing (22), in her husband’s
position in the community (23), and in her garments that are sold (24). Verse 23 speaks to the truth of
verses 10-12.
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Proverbs Lesson 58
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Concerning her character:
(25-26) Her greatest clothing is strength and honor of character (25), which has nothing to do with any
amount of wealth. Added to this is her words of wisdom and her spirit of kindness (26).
Concerning her family:
(27-29) In verse 27, she looks after the ways of her household. She manages it well. Bread of idleness.
Lit. “eyes looking everywhere” as in the lazy man (cf. 6:6, 9) of whom the same root word is used. 1
Verse 28 gives us the response of her children and her husband.
Verse 29 makes a statement of excellence concerning her. “Many daughters have done well, but you
excel them all.”
Concerning her spiritual walk:
(30) “A woman may have charm but no common sense. She may be beautiful but impractical. But a
woman who fears the Lord, as described above, is the best kind.” 2 See I Peter 3:3-4 also.
Proverbs started with wisdom in the fear of the Lord (1:7) and it ends with it as well.
Ending word:
(31) Give her what is due her from her own work and her work will bring praise in the gates (governing
place within the community).
Worth noting:
It is noteworthy and fitting that Proverbs should end on this very positive note about women. Three
women have been prominent in this book: the personification of Wisdom, seen as a woman inviting
learners to her banquet, the immoral woman or seductress, and finally, the “woman (or wife) of valor,”
as the literal translation reads in 31:10 (NKJV margin).3
1
MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 923). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 871). Nashville: Thomas
Nelson.
3 Ibid
2
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