She is very careful to recommend herself to her husbands esteem and affection. The words and prophecy of king lemuel, and what his mother taught him, proverbs 31. Women of all ages will be inspired to emulate the virtues extolled in this memorable passage of scripture. The qualities of this virtuous wife as described in proverbs 31. The person enquired after, and that is a virtuous woman a woman of strength so the word is, though the weaker vessel, yet made strong by wisdom and grace, and the fear of god. The proverbs 31 woman oozes energy, industry, eagerness and diligence.
A proverbs 31 woman deserves praise in her own right, for her own value and accomplishments, not merely as an extension of her husband proverbs 31. Rather, becoming a proverbs 31 woman means that you live out gods will for your life daily and live each day with purpose. I love how the proverbs 31 woman s love for god overflows onto her family through her desire to serve them. True, the passage presents an exemplary woman, a paragon of. Perdue calls her the wise woman incarnate in an israelite or jewish housewife and mother, who while admittedly wealthy, engages in. Learn more about my book, 10 virtues of the proverbs 31 woman here or click. Throughout proverbs, wisdom is anthropomorphized as a woman. So it follows, a virtuous woman is a woman of spirit, who has the command of her own spirit and knows how to manage other peoples, one that is pious and industrious, and a help meet for a man. Youll need a bible, a notebook and something to write with. Martin, proverbs, in the international bible commentary 2d ed. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the. This and the following verses are acrostic, each beginning with a consecutive letter of the hebrew alphabet. Clues to the meaning and focus of the text in question. The book of proverbs, part of the genre called wisdom.
Each was a character trait of the proverbs 31 woman, wisdom and a wise wife. Pdf the book of proverbs falls within wisdom literature with 31. My brand new ebook releases this week and if you have any interest in diving in deeper to the book of proverbs or the proverbs 31 homemaker, then i want to encourage you to check it out. Because of this, many people discount the idea that its even possible to be a proverbs 31 woman or they feel discouraged by the seemingly impossible standard set for women in this passage. King lemuels mother was describing the kind of woman she hoped her son would find. Her books include the onthego devotional series and. Proverbs 31 bible commentary matthew henry complete. Like paul, he exhorts, comforts, and charges, as a father doth his children.
The proverbs 31 woman is one of the most misunderstood people in the biblebecause she isnt actually a person. In the same way, the portrayal of the proverbs 31 woman closes with a look behind the scenes of the perfect family portrait to show that the virtue of the virtuous woman emanates from her soul. Claudia camp lists at least eight specific thematic correlations between the woman of proverbs 31 and woman wisdom in wisdom and the feminine in the book of proverbs decatur, ga almond press, 1985, 18889. Some of the commentaries say that this verse paints a picture of her girding. Study guide for proverbs 31 by david guzik blue letter bible. The woman of proverbs 31 is mighty, and her strength shows through in her work. The husband can go to work, he can go away, he can do whatever he needs to do with absolute confidence of her integrity, her wisdom, and her discretion in the use of his assets and in the care of his interests. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds study bible and the new bible commentary. In opposition to this strength, we read of the weakness of the heart of an imperious whorish woman, eze.
Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. From this to the end of the chapter we have the character of a woman. Sayings of king lemuel the sayings of king lemuelan inspired utterance his mother taught him. The new international commentary on the old testament. When you look to the virtuous woman in the bible as your example, youre holding yourself up to an ideal not a reality. Lydia brownback mar, westminster theological seminary is an author and a speaker at womens conferences around the world. Proverbs 31 niv sayings of king lemuel bible gateway. A remarkable connection between the book of proverbs and the world of work occurs at the end of the book. Mandi at capitol heights mom has discussed the proverbs 31 woman on women. A proverb is a short, memorable saying about conduct and character.
Debauchery and much wine to be avoided, proverbs 31. Proverbs 31 bible commentary matthew henry concise. Our confusion around proverbs 31, like most misinterpreted bible passages, centers around issues related to genre, audience, and language. This chapter is added to solomons proverbs, some think because it is of the same author, supposing king lemuel to be king solomon. Scripture, affirmations, prayer and accountability. For this study, well be using the book uninvited by lysa terkeurst, which you can purchase in the proverbs 31 ministries bookstore or in a book retailer of your choice. A verse by verse study guide for the book of proverbs. This commentary has been through advanced checking words in boxes are from the bible. Not only is she a woman who works hard to bring her husband good but she does her work. Use this printable guide to study the bible and the passage of proverbs 31 for a better understanding of what it means to become a virtuous woman. Lady wisdom, who we meet at the beginning of the book prov.
Shes not only a wife and a mother but a worker and an entrepreneur. As a whole, the proverbs have much to say about wisdom, diligent work ethic, wise business practices, honorable speech, compassion for the poor, and integrity. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of proverbs. He is at ease in absence, because he knows that all he has is safe with. It is packed with wordpictures of universal truths. Becoming a proverbs 31 woman does not mean being a perfect, idealistic woman who can do it all and do it all at once. You can use this printable two page pdf as a bible study guide to learn more about the virtuous woman and how you become a proverbs 31 woman.
The proverbs 31 woman if you are seriously interested in becoming the uncommon woman, this book unlocks her secrets and examines the qualities that make her so remarkable. I dont think we are required to be exactly like this wonderful woman, but to. The author of the commentary wishes to thank his wife ingalill for her. Look at your hands are they eager to get to work today. The proverbs 31 woman of strength cbe international. The proverbs 31 woman is a great book to help any woman pursued the life god wants them to live. The proverbs 31 homemaker 6 characteristics of a wise woman. Twenty chapters of the book of proverbs beginning with ch.
A noble woman enhances her husbands standing among those who transact legal and judicial affairs at the city gates proverbs 31. This description of the virtuous woman is designed to show what wives the women should make and what wives the men should choose. Exclusive study video lessons with indepth scripture commentary, symbolism, and historical context powerful. In opposition to this strength, we read of the weakness of the heart of an imperious whorish woman, ezek. The description of a virtuous woman, especially in the relation of a wife and the mistress of a family, which. Above all, its the proverbs 31 womans faith that set her apart from other women. It is not for kings, lemuel it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what has been. I have always wanted to be a good wife and mom and this is one example in the bible. Thus far we have seen that the proverbs 31 woman is a treasure to her husband, fully trustworthy, and a woman of action.
Study the bible online using commentary on proverbs 31 and more. From her we learn 5 practices that demonstrate strength in everyday life. Proverbs 31 free pdf bible study a few years ago, i decided i was going to really study the proverbs 31 woman. Pdf finding the proverbs 31 woman cbe international. With that in mind, here are three things you might not know.
Though she is obviously aggressive and competent, she functions in a way that honors her husbands leadership rather than denigrates. Proverbs 31, new living translation nlt the bible app. What should we learn from the virtuous woman in proverbs 31. You can live a grace filled, purposeful life today. When you do a proverbs 31 bible study, thats the first thing you need to know. The first nine chap ters of the book of proverbs present us with a most interesting specimen of acceptable words. To get the most out of our studies, we recommend you buy the book were studying. Whoever trusts her is safe she requires pursuit she responds to the hurts of. However, interpreters differ on how to understand this passage. As when approaching any book of the bible, bible applies exclusively to.
Some pitfalls frequently warned against in the book of proverbs. Does the description refer to a wife and mother who may have actually lived, or is the passage. By definition, the fear of the lord means in part living according to the wisdom revealed in this book. This devotional, offering equal parts inspiration and encouragement, will uncover the secrets of the proverbs 31 woman. Proverbs 31 is all about the qualities of a virtuous and godly woman. Proverbs 31 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. There is in them an inimitable union of admonitory fidelity, and enticing and subduing kindness. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the lord, she shall be praised. The praise of a virtuous woman and good housewife, in her economy, prudence, watchfulness, and assiduity in labor, vv. It presents a vivid description of the woman of virtue prov 31. The first day of the proverbs 31 woman bible study companion workbook, in pdf format. But lets go one step further and notice in particular the value of the book of proverbs in regards to. It depends on neither her accomplishments nor her ability to be a superwoman. Jennifer, proverbs 31 woman bible study participant when you join our free online proverbs 31 woman bible study, youll be given.
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