Proverbs 31 may be the most unique chapter in that biblical book of wisdom literature. From its origins to its timeless message, this last chapter of the book of Proverbs has captured the imagination and admiration of readers throughout history. Proverbs 31 is traditionally famous for its poem about the Virtuous Woman, but it focuses on two definitive and very different topics. This sets it apart from the progression of various short themes for living a happy, Godly life that are found throughout the majority of Proverbs.
The first nine verses of Proverbs 31 offer wise counsel to a man serving as the king of his people. The rest of the chapter offers praise and honor for an exemplary woman. In this article, we delve into the depths of Proverbs 31 to unravel its meaning and significance for both ancient readers and modern Christians.
The History and Purpose of Proverbs
To grasp the true essence of Proverbs 31 and its significance, it is important to understand its historical backdrop. The Book of Proverbs, nestled within the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, has been referred to as the wisdom of God wearing work clothes. It is a practical guide for living, regardless of one’s faith. Scholars believe that most proverbs in this book were compiled during King Solomon’s reign (971-931 BCE, or BC), although some may have originated from earlier oral traditions passed down through generations.
The book of Proverbs offers guidance on various aspects of human existence, including relationships, work ethic, moral conduct, and spirituality.
Many pastors and Bible teachers assume that Solomon penned most of these sayings himself, but Proverbs 31 raises questions about its authorship. The first verse of the chapter in the NIV Bible says – “The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.” Other versions introduce the words of King Lemuel as sayings of an oracle or wise man.
The Mystery of Proverbs 31
The appearance of this mysterious king, mentioned nowhere else in the Bible, has led scholars to different conclusions about his identity. The Hebrew name Lemuel means “Devoted to God.” This might indicate that he was an Arabian king, likely the King of Massa, who had come to believe and trust in the Jewish God. Some believe he was simply an ancient Israeli king who was not included in the historical books of the Bible where Israel’s kings were recorded.
The most convincing argument is that Lemuel was a pseudonym used by Solomon, considering that Solomon’s mother, Bathsheba, and the prophet Nathan called him Jedediah (“beloved of Yah”) as a child, a name that has a similar meaning.
The Bible itself describes Bathsheba as King Solomon’s most trusted advisor in 1 Kings 2:19 and as having a throne of her own beside her son, at least when meeting in private with his half-brother. Solomon’s father, King David, did not seem to have any of his wives as advisors, which might explain some of David’s troubles, and it is unclear how the ruling elite would have regarded Bathsheba advising the sitting king. Bathsheba had once been married to a Hittite, and may still have been considered a foreigner herself.
Citing Bathsheba as the source of the advice and beautiful poetry in Proverbs 31 might have been controversial at the time of its writing.
In his wisdom, Soloman may have used the name Lemuel to ensure that Proverbs 31 had the beneficial impact that it was intended to provide the people of his day. Perhaps the mystery of who wrote Proverbs 31 helped it to survive ancient scrutiny and become a cherished part of Holy scripture.
Wise Counsel Worthy of a King
When God agreed to peoples’ request for a king to rule them like other nations (1 Samuel 8:1-22), He warned the people what a human king might do to them. Proverbs 31:3-5 lists warnings for a man who rules. Kings are not to spend their strength or noble character on women. Nor are they to be caught up in distractions of harems and strong drink, which impair their judgment, causing them to accept bribes and oppress the needy and less fortunate.
Verses 6-9 offer guidance for dealing with the forewarned temptations and urge the king to speak wisely. Wise speech means speaking up to defend those who are oppressed or poor. Wise and good speech enables fair judgment.
These warnings reflect the failings common to the kings of Israel in ancient times. Indeed, David, who was considered to be the greatest king of all, fell victim to many of these sinful temptations. This advice for a king, given by a queen mother to her son, also reflects the important role that women serve as teachers of the family in ancient times as well as today.
The Rare and Precious Treasure of a Virtuous Woman
Verses 10-31 is one of the most widely known and cherished passages in scripture. This passage changes the tone and topic of Proverbs 31 to present a beautiful acrostic poem that honors and praises the concept of an ideal woman or wife. The poetic images illustrate God’s purpose for creating Eve as Adam’s helper in Genesis 2:20-24. These verses also bring to mind Lydia of Thyatira, a successful maker of fine linen cloth and co-founder with Paul of the early church at Philippi (Acts 16:14)
The story of the Virtuous Woman is one of the most beloved in the wisdom literature of the Bible. Also known as “The Wife of Noble Character” this passage became part of a lovely Jewish tradition where husbands would honor women of their family at a meal during Shabbot. Often, the husband would stand behind his wife, place his hands on her shoulders, and sing or recite this passage as a way to offer her gratitude and praise her before God and his family.
Old Testament Israel was a patriarchal society where even capable women were often thought of as little more than servant girls. In Proverbs 31 we find the stark opposite, suggesting that the author meant it to be counter-cultural and intended it to change minds.
Here we find a confident, capable woman who manages her home while also taking care of business dealings for the family. She is a mother, a farmer, a teacher, a merchant, a provider and a guardian. Even so, she is kind, charitable, thoughtful and loving. She is wise, strong, brave, confident in her purpose, and true to her faith.
Proverbs 31 portrays the woman as an invaluable partner for her husband, full of love for her family and her God. This passage paints a picture of the best hopes God may have had for the role women would play as time reveals His will for humanity.
Understanding the Value of Proverbs 31 in the Present Day
It is important to relate the teaching of Proverbs to our lives today. As the last chapter of the book, Proverbs 31 should be understood in the context of the wisdom and examples contained in the entire book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs is a practical guide for living “Coram Deo” – which is the Latin term for a concept that means living before the face of God.
In the modern day, proverbs are generally equated with cliches or wise sayings like “Look before you leap” or “He who hesitates is lost.” The book of Proverbs was not intended to be a compilation of cliches or sayings. Its purpose is to teach God’s will for how we are to live our lives on earth, giving examples of how to deal with certain types of people and circumstances.
The two distinct parts of Proverbs 31 should also be understood in terms of the tense and spirit in which they were written. The mother’s advice to the king is written in the present tense with an imperative to follow its counsel immediately. The praise for the virtuous woman was written in the past tense, intended to summarize the loyal faith, purposeful action and Godly living practiced all the days of her life.
The spirit of the book of Proverbs is one of encouragement. God did not intend the teaching of Proverbs to make us feel guilty for not having gifts we’ve not been given, or for not doing more than we’re practically or physically able to do.
Both of the passages of Proverbs 31 were intended to inspire people to live joyfully in God’s will for their lives. They were never meant to reflect anyone’s shortcomings or failures.
Lessons for Leaders Today
Proverbs 31 details the importance of wisdom, integrity, and compassion for people in public office and other positions of leadership. The behavior of leaders sets an example for others in society.
The vices of promiscuity and excessive drinking are specific hazards to teachers and preachers of the Word, but Paul warns of a broader set of vices in Timothy “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts” (2 Timothy 2:22). Simply put, the king’s mother is telling him to grow up and take his responsibilities seriously.
It also repeats a recurring theme in Proverbs, the importance of well-considered, beneficial speech and the danger of careless or hateful words. Proverbs says, “The tongue has the power of life and death” (18:21). Leaders can move markets, nations, and peoples toward both greatness and disaster as a result of how they use their words. Notice how business news commentators often attribute changes in the stock market to announcements from the president.
That wisdom about the importance of carefully considered speech is reflected in this passage as influencing matters of compassion, fairness and deciding matters of law by way of judgment.
Lessons for Christian Women Today
“The Woman of Noble Character” describes the role of being a wife and mother, but it offers an example of an excellent life for all single women as well. The story of the virtuous woman also offers resolution for two biblical concepts that have long been the subject of controversy: submission and equality.
Victory over Controversy for a Modern Woman
Most Christians today will acknowledge that the biblical submission has been misconstrued by the Church to justify mistreatment or even abuse of women. But it’s important that we do not hold the Bible responsible for the sinful actions of misguided believers.
Proverbs 31 makes clear that Godly submission for a woman describes her role as a partner and powerful benefactor of her family, not a servile role imposed by others. When understood as intended by the Holy Spirit, nowhere does God’s word endorse the subjugation of women.
New Testament female entrepreneurs include Lydia, a dealer of expensive purple cloth, who runs a successful business and establishes her own congregation in Philippi (Acts 16:14-15); and Priscilla, the tent-making wife of Aquilla, who is equal in sewing, business, and evangelizing as her husband. (Acts 18:1-4)
Proverbs 31 clearly illustrates the value and purpose of a Godly woman to be paramount for the well-being of the family. While her role is different from that of the husband, it is equally important both maternally as well as materially. The excellent wife served as a role model, practicing kindness as the way of her household. For example, wool and linen garments were very expensive in ancient times. Jewish women’s ability to produce fine linen provided great financial benefit.
The Honor of a Capable Wife
Like today, a husband and wife in ancient times both had to be hard workers and make wise decisions to ensure the success, security, and happiness of their family. The “bread of idleness” led to poverty.
But in ancient Israel, honor was equally important. Poverty was preferable to shame. Understanding this helps us appreciate why Proverbs 31 emphasizes how the man and woman were mutually devoted to honoring each other as well as their family. For a virtuous wife to “bring honor for the husband with elders of the land at the city gate” was an ultimate accomplishment.
While the Good News for equality of women in Proverbs 31 may not seem to apply to single Christian women, any Godly woman who has embraced the virtues of the Proverbs 31 woman cannot be considered equal in any man to any regardless of position. The single Christian woman could use this woman of noble character as a role model for being a bride of Christ.
A Fitting Conclusion of the Book of Proverbs
The sage advice in the chapters of Proverbs is offered for all people. The closing chapter of the book, Proverbs 31, reminds readers that kings are also people who are subject to the trials and temptations of this world. In its opening verses, Proverbs 31 summarizes wisdom from the entire book of Proverbs, in a form that is designed for men who accept the responsibility of ruling over others.
The book of Proverbs is not always kind when it mentions women, comparing life with a contentious woman to a misery worse than sleeping on a corner of a roof. It’s only fitting then that the book ends by setting the record straight with a beautiful and inspired vignette of an excellent wife that honors the value women bring to their families and the people of their community.
Proverbs 31 has served through the ages as an encouragement for both men and women to seek godliness through diligent work, compassion for others, and personal integrity. It is a fitting way to conclude the book of Proverbs. It has earned its place as one of the great works of wisdom literature in the Bible.
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