The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:10-31

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

Part 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 Introduction). It is an acrostic; that is, each verse begins with one of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, arranged in the usual order. We may compare this mashal with the alphabetical psalms, "Psalmi abcedarii," which are, more or less, of similar structure, but of which one only, the hundred and nineteenth, is so marked in the English versions. Other examples are Psalms 9:1-20; Psalms 10:1-18; Psalms 25:1-22; Psalms 34:1-22; Psalms 37:1-40; Psalms 111:1-10; Psalms 112:1-10; Psalms 145:1-21; also Lamentations 1:1-22; Lamentations 2:1-22; Lamentations 3:1-66. One object of this artificial construction was to render the matter easier to commit to memory. The spiritual expositors see in this description of the virtuous woman a prophetic representation of the Church of Christ in her truth and purity and influence. Thus Bode: "Hic sapientissimus regum Salomon laudes sanctae Ecclesiae versibus paucis sed plenissima veritate depingit.… Cujus (carminis) ordine perfectissimo alphabeti typice innuitur, quam plenissime hic vel animae cujusque fidelis, vel totius sanctae Ecclesiae, quae ex omnibus electis animabus una perficitur Catholica, virtutes ac praemia describantur."

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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 31:10-31Christian 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 commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:10ALEPH. Who can find a virtuous woman? The expression, ishshah chayil, "woman of force," has occurred in Proverbs 12:4 (where see note). Mulierem fortem, St. Jerome terms her; γυναῖκα ἀνδρείαν is the rendering of the…Joseph S. Exell and contributors