Who is the Proverbs 31 Woman? Have you ever spent time with a woman who is trying to run a household and raise kids? Have you ever tried to do what she does? If you have, then you know that what you will read next is a miracle of biblical proportions.
Proverbs 31:10-31
A capable wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
What The Proverbs 31 Woman Does
She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant,
bringing her food from far away.
She rises while it is still night
and provides food for her household
and tasks for her servant-girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength,
and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor,
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all her household are clothed in crimson.
She makes herself coverings;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the city gates,
taking his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them;
she supplies the merchant with sashes.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household,
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Who The Proverbs 31 Woman Is
Her children rise up and call her happy;
her husband too, and he praises her:
“Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the city gates.
It is reported that Solomon had 700 wives. It was said that he was the wisest man who ever lived. Therefore, he should be an expert on what to look for in a wife.
She is capable
She is good
She is kind
She is strong
She is industrious
She is confident
She is wise
She is generous
She does not worry
She is happy
She is compassionate
Years ago, I was once part of a group where this passage of scripture was read often as the standard for a Christian wife. Having heard this passage preached to the women in the group as such and I accepted it as meaning that as well. But recently I can’t help but cringe when I think of the demeaning power with which these words were wielded. Who could possibly live up to this? I don’t think Solomon penned these words to be the bar for women to measure up to. The fact that he uses a literary device, making this an acrostic poem, suggests this to be a fairy-tale.
Here is why I say that.This is an acrostic poem therfore I am convinced that this was never meant to be taken as the standard for finding a wife. But also, it is because this passage, located at the end of Proverbs, is a wrap-up of all that Solomon has written about.
The King within the king.
The book of Proverbs is largely believed to have been the work of King Solomon. In light of that, here in the last chapter, Solomon introduces us to King Lemuel. Who is King Lemuel? There are several theories but I am inclined to believe that King Lemuel is Solomon’s alter ego in a way. The name “Lemuel” when translated means “devoted to God”.
Like many of us, Solomon had a duplicitous nature. On the one hand he asked God to give him wisdom to lead the people. He penned the words, “the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord“. But on the other hand, he married 700 women. I don’t see how the numbers add up to those marriages only being political alliances. Even if they were, then he wasn’t trusting God. But I believe that despite his heart for God, Solomon was also characterized by his idolatry and lust. Many of us who love God have struggles that seem to rival our faithfulness.
A Wise Wife
Solomon, isolating the part of him who is the wise king who fears the Lord, is voicing his wisdom in the fictitious King Lemuel. This voicing is not just the preceding verses. The entire book of proverbs is about seeking wisdom. Wisdom is personified as a woman. You ask, “Who is the Proverbs 31 woman”? She is wisdom. Solomon begins his poem about searching for a noble wife, yet he is still talking about seeking wisdom.
When a husband and wife entrust their very lives to each other, that is how we should consider wisdom. The life you are about to build, build it with wisdom. Wisdom is not flashy and flirty and haughty. She has her own beautySee her for who she is. Wisdom is all the things I listed above. Wisdom shows up in every area of life and you will look at her and wish you were married to her, building your life with her.
