A Woman of Valor/Strength
Proverbs 31
Proverbs 31:
Historical
Background
‘Woman of Valor/Strength’: Hebrew
‘Eshet Chayil’
Wisdom is personified as as
industrious and entrepreneurial
woman
V1-9: King Lemuel & His Mother –
her words of wisdom to him
V10-31: an *acrostic of the woman
of valor, whom he should be looking
for
Lemuel = a nick/pet name for
Solomon & mother is Bathsheba.
Lemuel = “for God” or “devoted to
*An acrostic: each letter has its
own meaning –BDA: Bethany
Deaf Assembly-use to help
memorize.
V1: King Lemuel (Solomon) from his mother (Bathsheba)
V2: Listen to my (mother’s teaching) prayers:
V3: Do not waste your strength flirting or chasing women!
V4: Rulers/leaders of their homes Do Not Drink wine or
beer!
V5: Drinking will cloud/blur your good judgement –
deprive the oppressed of their rights...will ignore the
voice of those whom you lead or shelter
V6: Beer is for those who are perishing and wine for those
in anguish...numbing thoughts and emotions...
V7: They drink to forget their poverty (things they wish
they had but don’t have) and drink to forget their
misery/pain inside
V8&9: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
speak up for the destitute and judge fairly; defend the
Vv 10 –31 A Hebrew Acostic
V10: A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth
far more than rubies. Noble: has outstanding qualities,
dignity (positive self-worth), very good or excellent
character. Rubies today are worth $10,000 - $50,000
per carat; exceptional quality is worth $50,000 to One
million!
V11: Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks
nothing of value. He’s not afraid of what she is/will
be doing, his heart is at peace
V12: She brings him good, not harm all her days.
V13: She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
V14: She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from
afar.
V15: She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for
her family and portions for her female servants.
Note her humility: she serves those who are her
subordinates
V16: She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings
she plants a vineyard.
V17: She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are
strong for her tasks.
V18 She sees that her trading is profitable (she is careful with
finances and does not spend carelessly), and her
lamp does not go out at night (she plans ahead; not last-
minute chaos).
V19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle
with her fingers. She uses her talents to benefit her home
and others.
V20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to
the needy. She serves those in need.
V21-22 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for
all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes
coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and
purple. “fine linen and purple”= seen as a woman of
V23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes
his seat among the elders of the land. She is not an
embarrassment to those around her...people speak well
of her husband because of how she
carries/presents herself.
V24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies
the merchants with sashes. She is a businesswoman;
she works at home or works outside of the home –
either!
V25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh
at the days to come. When rough times hit, she does
not panic!
V26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on
V28 & 29 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband
also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble
things, but you surpass them all.” Both her husband
and children praise her... To the single women: people
speak positive about you.
V30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman
who fears the Lord is to be praised. Charm/personality:
deceptive and Beauty: will fade as you age...
V31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her
works bring her praise at the city gate.
Watch my actions –not only my words!
