The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:29

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

RESH. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. The versions and some commentators take the encomium in the mean and restricted sense of praise for the acquisition of riches. Thus the Vulgate, Multae filiae congregaverunt divitias; Septuagint, "Many daughters have obtained wealth."

But it adds another rendering, "Many have wrought power ( ἐποίησανδύναμιν)," which is nearer the meaning in this place. Chayil (as we have seen, Proverbs 31:10) means "force," virtus, "strength of character" shown in various ways (comp.

Numbers 24:18; Psalms 60:12). "Daughters," equivalent to "women," as Genesis 30:13; So Genesis 6:9. Roman Catholic commentators have, with much ingenuity, applied the whole description of the virtuous woman, and especially the present verse, to the Virgin Mary.

We may regard it as a representation of the truly Christian matron, who loves husband and children, guides the house, is discreet, chaste, good, a teacher of good things (1 Timothy 5:14; Titus 2:3, etc.

More for Proverbs 31:29

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:1-31Proverbs 31:1-31 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:1-31Proverbs 31:1-31 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe words of Lernuel The fear of God is the leading thought in these meditations; and this in a twofold relation—to the king in his rule in the state, and the woman in her rule in the house.Matthew Henry on Proverbs 31:10-31Proverbs 31:10-31 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThis is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, an…The Virtuous WomanProverbs 31:10-33 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE VIRTUOUS WOMAN. This description of the virtuous woman is designed to show what wives the women should make and what wives the men should choose; it consists of twenty-two verses, each beginning with a letter of the…The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:10-31Proverbs 31:10-31 · The Pulpit CommentaryChristian womanhood If Solomon did write these words, we need not he surprised that he speaks of the rarity of the ideal woman; for she is hardly to be found in a crowded harem. It is the Christian home that contains he…The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:10-31Proverbs 31:10-31 · The Pulpit CommentaryPart IX. THIRD APPENDIX TO THE SECOND COLLECTION. This section contains an ode in praise of the virtuous woman, derived from a different source from that of the words of Agur, and belonging to a different age (see Intro…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:1-31EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:1-31The words of Lernuel The fear of God is the leading thought in these meditations; and this in a twofold relation—to the king in his rule in the state, and the woman in her rule in the house.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Proverbs 31:10-31This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, an…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Virtuous WomanTHE VIRTUOUS WOMAN. This description of the virtuous woman is designed to show what wives the women should make and what wives the men should choose; it consists of twenty-two verses, each beginning with a letter of the…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:10-31The typical woman I. HER SPHERE. This is domestic. 1. In marriage. The typical woman is a wife and mother, not a St. Agnes, the mystical bride of Christ, nor even a Virgin Mary. We see her in Sarah, in Naomi, in Hannah,…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:10-31Part IX. THIRD APPENDIX TO THE SECOND COLLECTION. This section contains an ode in praise of the virtuous woman, derived from a different source from that of the words of Agur, and belonging to a different age (see Intro…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:10-31Christian womanhood If Solomon did write these words, we need not he surprised that he speaks of the rarity of the ideal woman; for she is hardly to be found in a crowded harem. It is the Christian home that contains he…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:10-31The virtuous housewife I. HER INFLUENCE IN THE SPHERE OF HOME. (Proverbs 31:10-22.) 1. Her exceeding worth. (Proverbs 31:10-12.) A costly treasure not everywhere to be found; no commonplace blessing: an ornament and a j…Joseph S. Exell and contributors