📖 Biblical Definition
Biblical valor is strength-of-worth proven in real combat — the inner mettle that holds up under the test, displayed by warriors, prophets, and saints. The Hebrew chayil covers both military force and moral strength: a "man of valor" in Scripture is courageous, capable, and trustworthy in the day of pressure. Gideon, hiding from the Midianites, was greeted by the angel: "The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour" (Judges 6:12). David’s mighty men were each named men of valor (2 Samuel 23). The Proverbs 31 wife is, in Hebrew, eshet chayil — "a woman of valor." Valor is not bluster; it is competence under fire, anchored in faith. Pray for it; train for it; display it when called.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Strength of mind in regarding danger; that quality which enables a man to encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery; courage; intrepidity.
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VALOR, n. Strength of mind in regarding danger; that quality which enables a man to encounter danger with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; personal bravery; courage; prowess; intrepidity.
Biblical valor is never merely military; it includes the courage of the prophet, the steadfastness of the elder, and the staying power of a faithful wife (Proverbs 31:10 calls her eshet chayil, a woman of valor).
📖 Key Scripture
Joshua 1:6 — "Be strong and of a good courage."
Judges 6:12 — "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour."
Proverbs 31:10 — "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."
1 Chronicles 12:8 — "Men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern English limits valor to battlefield bravery; Hebrew chayil covers the courage of soldiers, mothers, prophets, and faithful workers alike.
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Proverbs 31's ‘virtuous woman’ is literally eshet chayil — a woman of valor. The same word the Old Testament uses for David's mighty men is used for the woman who runs her household.
Recover the broader Hebrew sense and biblical valor reaches every household: the husband who stays faithful in a hostile workplace, the mother who guards her children's souls, the elder who tells the truth in the church, the Marine who comes home and takes up his daily duty — all are showing chayil.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
One Hebrew word covers strength, wealth, virtue, and military valor.
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H2428 — חַיִל (chayil) — force, army, strength, virtue, valor; both military might and moral strength.
Note: gibbor chayil (mighty man of valor) is the standard Old Testament title for a warrior; eshet chayil (woman of valor) is its feminine equivalent.
Usage
"Proverbs 31 is a song about a woman of valor."
"Chayil includes the warrior and the wife; do not narrow it."
"Daily duty done in faith is its own kind of valor."