I have been looking deeper into the Proverbs 31 Woman (P31W). She is probably one of the most famous Bible heroines, though she’s not even a person. She is just a description of what King Lemuel’s mother, most likely Bathsheba, told her son to look for in a wife. She is given much reference and many don’t even know how to view her in the correct manner because they have not looked deeper into the role or era of which “she is in”. Many interpret the Proverbs 31 Woman from a 21st century, feminist view. They don’t view her as a Biblical Jewish woman. I believe to properly understand this chapter you really need to do that and understand the culture of that time.

I emailed a friend and respected Hebraic culture and history authority, Mrs. Robin Sampson to find out a little more about the role the woman played in the Ancient Bible times, and this was her reply:

Woman as inferior beings (Inferior meaning more like an animal than a person) is from the Greek mindset. The Hebrews revered women as precious delicate vessels.

The Proverbs 31 woman was an independent business woman and in a supervision in her home and lover her family’s land. Woman took an active part in the community and religious life.

The primary role was that of mother and wife. The demands of motherhood took precedence over religious duties. She was permitted to do the religious observances but not required as the men.

Much of the misunderstanding of Paul’s writing is because of the lack of Hebrew understanding. Some of his teaching were against female domination from Greco-Roman paganism (temple prostitutes and female gods) not from women in general.

This gave me a better understanding of how to view the P31W. In no terms do I believe that a woman is inferior in any respects to a man in worth. I think she is just as smart and just as capable in nearly all cases. However, God gave them each different roles, of which they were both better equipped for. As Mrs. Sampson explain, women weren’t suppressed or viewed as weak. They were active in their community, in their religion, and good managers of their homes in every respect.

A lot have used the P31W in defense of women working, and I find that she cared for her home, brought food, and had a few home-businesses to help with funds, but I didn’t find any verse where it indicated her going off to a job, all day, while her children were being cared for by someone else. Jewish children had roles to do themselves. “The secondary purpose in education (the first being religious education) was to teach about the practical aspects of everyday life: a trade for the boy and the care of the house, application of dietary laws and how to be a good wife for the girl.” (Education In The Bible Times) So while the Proverbs 31 Woman was homemaking she was also training her daughters as well.

I read over Proverbs 31 and the last part of the previous chapter to try to get a good view of her, and why King Lemuel’s mother was telling her son all of this in such detail. The Bible is so amazing. Each time you read it you find something new. There is something more that God has opened your eyes to. Here is what I found as I read, and please note that I am reading it from a Biblical-worldview. There are some Christians today who just do not have a Biblical Worldview. They don’t necessarily believe everything the world does, but they have been trained into believing a lot of what the world believes rather than what the Bible says. I believe we must go back to the Bible, and not rely on what another man or even a religious institution professes.

I am going to go through the whole chapter because when she’s referred to it’s usually in whole. I just wanted to share with you some of what God has been showing me. Please bear with me as it is long, but all worth reading and if you’re going to comment you’re going to want to be fully informed.

Verses 1-3

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

A mother speaks to her son about the traits to look for in a wife, and then the mother warns her son not to give his strength, his manly ways, to women. I definitely think women today have taken the man’s strengths and made them their own as we can see with feminists who believe that women should be able to do whatever a man can. Sadly men have let them. They have given thy strength unto women. This is the first part that women fail to look at when they look to the P31W for defense. She was not a feminist.

Verses 4-9

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Here she tells Lemuel not drink that which will cause the minds to forget the law or pervert judgment. I believe she is speaking of wine, and today drunk-driving causes a large number of deaths, which the Bible warns about. We are to keep from strong drinks so we are of a clear mind. Paul reminds us of that in Ephesians 5:18.

Verse 10

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

The woman that upholds to virtues is priced far above rubies, which is considered one of the four most precious stones, but this is begging the question who can find such a woman? And what are the virtues she speaks of? I searched “Bible virtues” on google and this came up Christian Virtues and Character. There are countless virtues mentioned in the Bible and this says that a virtue woman is worth more than rubies. Wow. That places a really high-bar for us to strive for, but so worth it. God doesn’t expect us to be perfect. He knows we’re not, but He does expect us to strive, in every way possible, to be holy and obey His Word. Let us be encouraged by that.

Verses 11-12

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

This part right here is one I think many people miss, and that is that the P31W was married. Right there is says her husband doeth safely trust in her. I have seen countless sites and icons about girls being the P31W in their teens years, and while I think it’s great for them to strive to be her, they can’t fully achieve this role until they’ve married. When God created Eve it was to be a helpmeet unto Adam, that was her purpose, but still even if one never marries she can still strive to have the traits of the P31W. We are Christ’s bride, and we have many opprounities to serve and obey unto our families, the fatherless, and the widows.

I’ve also been referred to P31W in defense of a girl going out to get a job (v 16) before she’s married, but if you’re going to quote the P31W you can’t defined single woman/Miss. This is confirmed in the following verses, and you will also notice that all the things she does is in direct relation to making her home and working from it. It also says that she will do good for him. Not herself. For him all the days of her life.

Verse 13-14

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

I’ve never had anything to do with wool or flax so I looked it up, and found this “Pioneer Clothing” and it’s a lot of work! Yes, indeed she worked willingly with her hands. The article says it took “a lot of work, and many steps” and it was all done to make clothes. She was a diligent homemaker and did a lot to cloth her household. It says she went to bring food from afar, but still it doesn’t say she had a job as merchant. In today’s world we go to the grocery store to bring food from a far. Back then she would have gone to the market or merchant ships, which brought in goods. Same thing.

Verses 15-16

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She rises early before anyone else so that she may prepare her meals. It says she buys a field to plant a vineyard. Today we would buy seeds to plant in our gardens. Recently a lady told me, after quoting Proverbs 31 in defense of her working with men at an oil-refinery, that “It give a perfect outline of how women should behave in a Godly society. This verse says that women are not only to have a place in the home but also in business dealings.” Yes, it says she went to buy things, but still no indication she had a job as this lady is trying to make it seem. Business dealings are quite different than one going and having a job outside of the home. You can sell your vegetables from your garden and have a business dealing, without having a job.

Verses 17-18

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

The P31W is not weak in form. It says here that she grideth her loins (below the ribs, stomach muscles) with strength. That means she was well-built and in good-shape. Her merchandise is of good quality and is well stocked. Her candle will not go out. She’s a smart and an able manager of her home.

Verse 19

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

She was a great seamstress. She put her hands to the spindle to make clothes, linens, and other cloth-items. Knowing how to make your own clothes is one of the most necessary arts of homekeeping. She knew how as you seen in verse 21.

Verses 20-21

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She helps those who are less fortunate and extends the hand of kindness. She is motherly and loving towards all. In the New Testament the Church is told to care for the widows and fatherless, and here we find a lovely example of that.

Verse 22

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

She dresses in modest, beautiful, feminine clothes just as we should dress. In purple silk… like that of royalty.

Verse 23

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

She is caring for her home in such a way that her husband has no need of spoil (verse 11) and is able to go study the Word and sit with the elders at the gates.

Verse 24

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

Again here is an example of her making something, probably in her home, and going to sell it. Not the same as having a career. Not at all.

Verse 25

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

She is not in an array of jewels or has a lot of money, for virtue is far above that. Strength and honour are her clothing, and notice is says she shall rejoice in time to come. What does that mean? Could it mean that all the work she does for her husband and her home will not always be pleasurable or easy, but her time will come when she rejoices? I keep telling ladies that our prize in not here on earth, but waiting for us as a crown of righteousness and I think this is in the same context.

Verse 26-28

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

She is a wise and kind woman. She looketh to the ways of her household. What does this mean here? It says she looketh well to her household. A household is not only the family, but the actually house/land. Does this mean that if you don’t look unto your household, you are eating the bread of idleness? Does this mean that your household is the most important thing and to do otherwise is simply idle? I would venture to say yes. Because she has done all of this for her family and house her children call her Blessed and her husband praises her. What a reward! Why do we so distort this wonderful woman who is so attentive to her husband, children, and home? Why do we make her out to be one who is deals with money all the time, away from her home and her children, just to fit what we want? The next verse is quite profound.

Verses 29-30

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

It says many daughters have done virtuously, like the same as the P31W, but she excellest them all? Note this says daughters, those who aren’t married. Does this mean that to be the P31W you must be a wife, mother, and a diligent homekeeper?

It then says favour is deceitful and beauty is vain. Where is this favour coming from that this verse speaks of? Certainly not from her husband as it has already said it was good that he praised/favoured her. Perhaps it comes from outside influences? People at your work, other women’s husbands, or friends? Who will favour you more? Your family or outside relations? I think the same is applied with beauty.

It says that a woman who fears the Lord, one who fears Him and follows his commands, she shall be praised. Do you fear His commandments? There are many verses in the Bible about what women are to do, and many either ignore or refute them by using Scripture out of context. How can they do that? I believe it is because they don’t have a healthy fear of the Lord.

Verse 31

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

This last verse just tops everything off. After going through all of the things she does, working with her hands and doing good for her husband (all her days), it says she shall be given the fruit of her hands. What are some fruits that might come out of being the P31W? What about being praised in the gates? Notice it doesn’t say “let her proclaim her own works in the gates”. No, it says let her own works praise her in the gates. Who is the gates? Look back up at verse 23. It is her husband. Perhaps this is indicating that he is the one who is praising the works of his wife and praising her for all her good works.

There are many blessings, or fruits, of being the true P31W. One is your husband with safely trust in you, which means he won’t go looking for other ways to fill the place you will/should. No indeed, he praises you. He is proud of you. Your children will call you blessed and you shall be praised because you fear the Lord and have done all to be the woman He ordained you to be.

As for women who can’t look well unto their household, please know I am not unrealistic or naive and think that all women should/can be at home. I know that is not the case. My life is very realistic and I have known many in difficult situations. I know sometimes there is no other option for the woman than to work. I also know that it is the Church’s place (James 1:26-27) to care for the fatherless and widows, but they do not and this causes women to have to provide for themselves. My grandmother had to work all her life, because my grandfather wouldn’t care for them. Today, though she still has to work, my grandmother believe that the woman’s place is at home. It is about your worldview. It’s about viewing the family as God does.

As I said before, on the Deborah post, It has nothing to do with being weak – women are capable of just about anything. It has to do with the God ordain-roles for the family, men and women. Are we truly following His will for our lives as far as roles? Or are we distorting something truly wonderful to fit what we want? Is our life all about “me, me, me” or is it all about “Him, Him, Him”? How big is God in your life, Big Enough?

*******I’ve also made graphics tags if you’d like to take one!*******

**Before commenting I really do encourage you to have read the entire post and perhaps even pray about it. I know there will be some who refuse to view this in the way I am showing, but please have a teachable heart and an open mind. This was written to encourage and to teach, not in any means to condemn.**

Contributor: Miss Jocelyn

Age: 17

Article Link: http://aponderingheart.com/blog/?p=836

Blog Title: A Pondering Heart

Blog URL: http://aponderingheart.com/blog

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