📖 Biblical Definition
Proverbs 31 closes the book of Proverbs in two movements. First, the instruction of King Lemuel’s mother (vv. 1-9): warnings against women, drunkenness, and the perversion of justice; the king’s charge to "open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction... open thy mouth, judge righteously". Second, the famous acrostic poem of the virtuous wife (vv. 10-31) — twenty-two verses, one per Hebrew letter, depicting the godly wife’s industry, fear of the LORD, household management, business acumen, charity to the poor, and the praise of her husband and children. "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." The chapter is the church’s portrait of the wife to be sought, raised, and honored.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Closing chapter; acrostic poem on the virtuous wife.
expand to see more
The closing chapter of Proverbs, in two parts: King Lemuel's mother's instruction (vv 1-9) on kingly character — strong drink and bribery refused, the cause of the afflicted defended; and the famous acrostic poem (vv 10-31) of the virtuous wife — twenty-two stanzas, one per Hebrew letter, showcasing her industry, wisdom, kindness, fear of God, and worth far above rubies.
📖 Key Scripture
Proverbs 31:10 — "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."
Proverbs 31:30 — "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised."
Proverbs 31:25-26 — "Strength and honour are her clothing... She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Either weaponized as impossible standard against women, or sentimentalized into Mother's Day reading; missing the wisdom-literature genre.
expand to see more
Proverbs 31 is wisdom poetry, not job description. It is the embodied portrait of the wisdom Lady Folly opposes throughout the book — fear of God lived out in industrious household life. Husbands are to praise her; mothers to embody her in their own seasons; daughters to grow toward her.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew chayil — strength, valor.
expand to see more
['Hebrew', 'H2428', 'chayil', 'strength, valor, virtue']
['Hebrew', 'H802', 'ishshah', 'woman, wife']
Usage
"Read Proverbs 31 as wisdom poetry."
"Fear of the LORD is the root."