Proverbs 31:19 — Word Study
WLCיָ֭דֶיהָ שִׁלְּחָ֣ה בַכִּישׁ֑וֹר וְ֝כַפֶּ֗יהָ תָּ֣מְכוּ פָֽלֶךְ׃
BSAShe stretchesshâlach■ out her handsyâd [to exert her strength and direction] to the distaffkîyshôwr△ [a tool for spinning thread] and graspstâmak■ [takes hold of, firmly clutches] the spindlepelek [a rod for twisting thread] with her fingerskaph [the palms of her hands, indicating her manual dexterity]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יָ֭דֶיהָ | hands her | Noun common both dual construct, suffix |
| שִׁלְּחָ֣ה | she stretches out | Verb, Piel, perfect third person feminine singular |
| בַכִּישׁ֑וֹר | on the distaff | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְ֝כַפֶּ֗יהָ | and palms her | Conjunction, noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| תָּ֣מְכוּ | they grasp | Verb, Qal, perfect third person common plural |
| פָֽלֶךְ׃ | [the] spindle | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. |
| KJV | She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. |
| ASV | She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle. |
| YLT | Her hands she hath sent forth on a spindle, And her hands have held a distaff. |
| WEB | She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. |
| BBE | She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel. |
The translations agree here, consistently rendering the actions of the woman in a similar manner.
The main clause introduces her action, with additional phrases detailing her tools and methods, illustrating her industriousness.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁלַח
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 31:19
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Virtuous Womangenerated
Proverbs 31:19 describes the industrious nature of a virtuous woman who engages in textile work. This verse highlights her ability to manage her household effectively while contributing to its prosperity. It is part of a larger passage that outlines the qualities of a noble wife, emphasizing her strength, wisdom, and diligence, as seen in the surrounding verses like Proverbs 31:18 and Proverbs 31:20.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 35:25–26 | Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun: blue, purple, or scarlet yarn, or fine linen. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יָ֭דֶיהָ, Ya.dei.hagenerated
The word יָד (yad) means 'hand' and symbolizes strength or power. In this context, it refers to the woman's hands as tools of her labor, indicating her active role in managing her household and contributing to its well-being.
The parsing indicates that this is a noun in the dual construct form, which can imply both hands working together. This reflects her capability and dexterity in performing tasks, particularly in spinning, which is a skilled craft.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree here, consistently rendering the actions of the woman in a similar manner across versions.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is שִׁלְּחָ֣ה, she stretches out, which governs the actions described in the verse. The structure emphasizes her active engagement in work, with the phrase בַכִּישׁ֑וֹר on the distaff describing where she directs her efforts.
The second verb, תָּ֣מְכוּ, they grasp, shows her further involvement with the spindle, indicating a sequence of actions that illustrate her industriousness.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שִׁלְּחָ֣ה as ἐκτείνει, meaning 'to stretch out'. This choice reflects a direct interpretation of her action, maintaining the focus on her physical engagement in work.
The Greek word captures the essence of the Hebrew verb, emphasizing the woman's active role in her tasks.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 31:19 shows a woman who works hard, stretching out her hands to use a distaff and grasping a spindle with her fingers. This illustrates her skill in spinning thread, which is part of her industrious nature.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies her active involvement in work, demonstrating her strength and skill.
The distaff is a tool used in spinning, symbolizing the woman's role in textile work and household management.
It shows her dexterity and ability to handle tools effectively, contributing to her family's needs.
It highlights her industriousness and capability, which are key traits celebrated throughout Proverbs 31.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I demonstrate diligence in my daily tasks, like the virtuous woman?
- How can I cultivate skills that contribute to my household or community?
- What tools or resources do I have that I can use more effectively?
- How does my work reflect my values and priorities?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators like Augustine and Bede reflect on this verse, discussing the virtuous woman's industriousness and the spiritual implications of her work.
“She has also braced her arms on the spindle.” About this spindle let me say what the Lord permits me to. After all, this business of spinning wool is not completely foreign to men.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 31 →
She put her hand to strong things, etc. By strong things are meant the perfect works in the charity of Christ, to which the Church joyfully subjected herself in the expectation of certain heavenly reward;Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 31 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 31:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleShe layeth her hands to the spindle,.... As Penelope and her maidens did (t).
Read John Gill on Proverbs 31 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWho can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The praises of a virtuous woman; forming a Hebrew acrostic. The 22 years begin with the several 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet consecutively; M.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 31 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleBy her own example she provoketh her servants to labour. And although in these later and more delicate and luxurious times, such mean employments are grown out of fashion among great persons, yet they were not so in former ages, neither in other countries, nor in this land; whence all women unmarried are to this day called in the language of our law spinsters.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 31 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 31:19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.Ver. 19. She layeth her hands to the spindle.] Notwithstanding her late purchase, and planting a vineyard and other out businesses. The two cardinals, Wolsey and Campeius, coming from King Henry VIII on a message to Queen Catherine of Spain, a little before the divorce, found her with a skein of red silk about her neck, being at work with her maiden. And Queen Anne Boleyn kept her maids, and all that were about her, so busied in sewing and working, that neither was there seen any idleness among them, nor any leisure to follow such pastimes as are usually in princes’ courts. Lucretia inter ancillas ad Lucernam…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 31 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 19. She layeth her hands to the spindle] 10. She gives an example of skill and industry to her household. She takes the distaff, that on which the wool or flax was rolled; and the spindle, that by twisting of which she twisted the thread with the right hand, while she held the distaff in the guard of the left arm, and drew down the thread with the fingers of the left hand. Allowing that spindle and distaff are proper translations of כישור kishor, and פלך pelech, this was their use, and the way in which they were used. The spindle and distaff are the most ancient of all the instruments used for spinning, or making thread. The spinning-wheel superseded them in these countries; but still…
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 31 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges19. spindle … distaff] Rather, distaff … spindle, with R.V. Of the two Heb. words here used the first occurs nowhere else, but it is derived from a root which means to be straight, and therefore may properly denote the distaff, or straight rod. Of the second word, the root-meaning is to be round. It is used of the circuit or circle round, the environs of, Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3:12; Neh. 14:15). “Till comparatively recent times the sole spinning implements were the spindle and distaff. The spindle, which is the fundamental apparatus in all spinning, was nothing more nor less than a round stick or rod of wood, about 12 inches in length, tapering towards each extremity, and having at its upper…
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 31 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible19. The spindle… the distaff — It is not entirely certain to which parts of the Eastern spinning apparatus these terms were applied. Stuart renders the first word by distaff, and the second by spindle.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 31 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
Her hands take hold of the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.
Tyndale line
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She putteth her handes to the wherue, and her handes handle the spindle.
Strictly literal
She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
Her hands she hath sent forth on a spindle, And her hands have held a distaff.
She has sent forth her hands on a spindle, || And her hands have held a distaff.
She stretcheth out her hands to the spindle, and her palms hold fast the distaff.
She puts her hands on the spindle, and she holds the twisting thread.
From the Latin
She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
Simplified
She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text states, "יָ֭דֶיהָ שִׁלְּחָ֣ה בַכִּישׁ֑וֹר וְ֝כַפֶּ֗יהָ תָּ֣מְכוּ פָֽלֶךְ׃" which translates to "She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers." The Septuagint has a word-by-word correspondence with 4 of the 6 words matched to the Masoretic Text, but it does not provide a complete translation of the verse in the same order. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional witnesses for this specific verse, so the agreement or differences in those texts cannot be assessed here. Overall, the key phrase about stretching out hands and grasping the spindle is consistent between the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint in terms of meaning, though the exact wording may vary.
יָ֭דֶיהָ שִׁלְּחָ֣ה בַכִּישׁ֑וֹר וְ֝כַפֶּ֗יהָ תָּ֣מְכוּ פָֽלֶךְ׃
4 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 31:19
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
יָד (yad) means 'hand' and can also refer to strength or power in a figurative sense. It encompasses various technical uses, such as a sign or monument, parts or shares, and even specific components in construction, like axle-trees and supports for the laver. The word is versatile, appearing in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
יָד 1604 n.f. hand
hand
Fig. = strength, power
Fig. = side
יָד is used in various special, technical senses:—
sign, monument
part, fractional part or share
time, repetition
axle-trees
stays, supports for laver
tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle
a (beckoning) hand
יַד with prep.
base
H3027 יָד hand . hand
. Fig. = strength, power
. Fig. = side
. יָד is used in various special, technical senses:— . sign, monument
. part, fractional part or share
. time, repetition
. axle-trees
. stays, supports for laver
. tenons on sides of boards of tabernacle
. a (beckoning) hand
. יַד with prep.
3027 yad yawd
a primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating power,
means, direction, etc.), in distinction from 3709, the closed
one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of
applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate
and remote (as follows):--(+ be) able, X about, + armholes,
at, axletree, because of, beside, border, X bounty, + broad,
(broken-)handed, X by, charge, coast, + consecrate, +
creditor, custody, debt, dominion, X enough, + fellowship,
force, X from, hand(-staves, -y work), X he, himself, X in,
labour, + large, ledge, (left-)handed, means, X mine,
ministry, near, X of, X order, ordinance, X our, parts, pain,
power, X presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay,
draw with strength, stroke, + swear, terror, X thee, X by
them, X themselves, X thine own, X thou, through, X throwing,
+ thumb, times, X to, X under, X us, X wait on, (way-)side,
יָד (yad) — hand.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)
1d) (various special, technical senses)
1d1) sign, monument
1d2) part, fractional part, share
1d3) time, repetition
1d4) axle-trees, axle
1d5) stays, support (for laver)
1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)
1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)
1d8) wrists
יָד (yad) — hand: power.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.)
1d) (various special, technical senses)
1d1) sign, monument
1d2) part, fractional part, share
1d3) time, repetition
1d4) axle-trees, axle
1d5) stays, support (for laver)
1d6) tenons (in tabernacle)
1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure)
1d8) wrists
יָד (yad) — hand: themselves.
: hand/arm[anatomy]
1) hand
1a) hand (of man)
1b) strength, power (fig.)
N-cd | Suff — Noun common both dual construct · suffixHNcbdc/Sp3fs
The Hebrew word שָׁלַח (shalach) is a primitive root meaning 'to send' with a wide range of applications. It can refer to sending away, stretching out (especially a hand), or letting go. The entries indicate various forms, including sending off, casting out, and setting free. Notably, it can also imply divorce or being sent away in a marital context.
שָׁלַח 814 vb. send
Qal
send: human subj.
send: subj. י׳ (God)
stretch out, esp. acc. hand
rarely send away: human subj.
let loose
Niph. letters were sent
Pi.
send off, away, human subj.
send away, subj. י׳
give over
cast out
send out, forth
let go, set free
shoot forth branches
let down
shoot
Phrases
Pu. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
Hiph. and I (י׳) will send
base
H7971 שָׁלַח send .. send: human subj.
. send: subj. י׳ (God)
. stretch out, esp. acc. hand
. rarely send away: human subj.
. let loose
. letters were sent
. . send off, away, human subj.
. . send away, subj. י׳
. give over
. cast out
. send out, forth
. let go, set free
. shoot forth branches
. let down
. shoot
. Phrases
. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
. and I (י׳) will send
7971 shalach shaw-lakh'
a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great
variety of applications):--X any wise, appoint, bring (on the
way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give
(up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose),
push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send
(away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread,
stretch forth (out).
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: depart.
: depart/send
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled
1e) (Hiphil) to send
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: let go.
: let_go/free
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
V-Piel-Perf-3fs — Verb · Piel · perfect third person feminine singularHVpp3fs
כִּישׁוֹר (kiyshowr) refers to a distaff, specifically the spindle or shank used in spinning. It is derived from another Hebrew word and appears only in Proverbs 31:19. The entries consistently define it in relation to spinning and textile work.
כִּישׁוֹר n.[m.] distaff;—only in Pr 31:19
ref
H3601 כִּישׁוֹר
3601 kiyshowr kee-shore'
from 3787; literally, a director, i.e. the spindle or shank
of a distaff (6418), by which it is twirled:--spindle.
see HEBREW for 03787
see HEBREW for 06418
כִּישׁוֹר (ki.shor) — distaff.
spindle-whorl, distaff
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
dis'-taf (pelekh): This word occurs once in Pr 31:19; "spindle" is found in the same passage. In the Revised Version (British and American) the meanings of the two words have been exchanged. See SPINNING.
Distaff
(Heb. pelek, a “circle”), the instrument used for twisting threads by a whirl (Prov. 31:19).
→ General scriptures concerning Pr 31:19
כַּף (kaph) refers to the hollow or flat part of the hand, including the palm and the sole of the foot. It can also denote power and is used to describe various hollow objects, such as bowls or handles. The word encompasses a range of meanings related to the shape and function of hands and feet, as well as items that are hand-shaped.
כַּף 192 n.f. hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand
base
H3709 כַּף hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand
3709 kaph kaf
from 3721; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an
animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling,
the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree);
figuratively, power:--branch, + foot, hand((-ful), -dle,
(-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.
see HEBREW for 03721
כַּף (kaph) — palm.
: palm/hand
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
1c) sole (of the foot)
1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
1d1) of thigh-joint
1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)
1d3) hollow (of sling)
1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)
1d5) handles (as bent)
כַּף (kaph) — palm: sole.
: sole/paw
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
1c) sole (of the foot)
1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
1d1) of thigh-joint
1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)
1d3) hollow (of sling)
1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)
1d5) handles (as bent)
כַּף (kaph) — palm: dish.
: dish/socket
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
Conj | N-fd | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHC/Ncfdc/Sp3fs
The Hebrew word תָּמַךְ (tamak) is a primitive root meaning to grasp, support, or attain. It covers actions like holding fast, maintaining, and helping. The Qal form includes meanings such as to hold up or keep, while the Niphal form suggests being seized or held. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.
[תָּמַךְ] vb. grasp, support, attain
Qal
grasp, lay hold of
hold up, support
hold, keep
Niph. in the cords of his sin is he seized
base
H8551 תָּמַךְ grasp, support, attain
8551 tamak taw-mak'
a primitive root; to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep
fast; figuratively, to help, follow close:--(take, up-)hold
(up), maintain, retain, stay (up).
תָּמַךְ (ta.makh) — to grasp.
1) to grasp, hold, support, attain, lay hold of, hold fast
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to grasp, lay hold of, attain
1a2) to hold up, support
1a3) to hold, keep
1a4) to take hold of each other
1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be held
V-Qal-Perf-3cp — Verb · Qal · perfect third person common pluralHVqp3cp
grasp: The word harpagmos (Php 2:6), is rendered by the King James Version "robbery," by the Revised Version (British and American) "a prize," and by the American Standard Revised Version "a thing to be grasped." By derivation the term may denote either an act of seizing or the aim or result of the action. In the context Paul is discussing, not Christ's opinion of His equality with God, but His amazing self-sacrifice in laying aside His equally for our sakes. He but laid it aside for us. It is better to render with the Revised Version (British and American) "a prize."
פֶּ֫לֶךְ (pelek) refers to a concept of circularity, encompassing meanings like a whirl of a spindle or a district. It is derived from an unused root meaning to be round, indicating a circuit or area. The word can denote both a physical object, like a spindle, and a geographical region.
פֶּ֫לֶךְ n.[m.] 1. whirl of spindle. 2. district (prop. circle, circuit)
base
H6418 פֶּ֫לֶךְ
6418 pelek peh'-lek
from an unused root meaning to be round; a circuit (i.e.
district); also a spindle (as whirled); hence, a
crutch:--(di-)staff, participle
פֶּ֫לֶךְ (pe.lekh) — district.
1) whirl of spindle, stick, district
1a) whirl of spindle, stick
1b) district, circuit
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
spin'-d'-l.
See SPINNING.
→ Used in spinning Pr 31:19