Proverbs 31:25 — Word Study
WLCעֹז־ וְהָדָ֥ר לְבוּשָׁ֑הּ וַ֝תִּשְׂחַ֗ק לְי֣וֹם אַחֲרֽוֹן׃
BSAStrengthʻôz [inner power, courage] and honorhâdâr [glory, dignity] are her clothinglᵉbûwsh [garments, character] and she can laughsâchaq▸ [rejoice, smile] at the daysyôwm [time, future] to comeʼachărôwn [in the latter day, ahead]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עֹז־ | [is] strength | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְהָדָ֥ר | and honor | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לְבוּשָׁ֑הּ | clothing her | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וַ֝תִּשְׂחַ֗ק | and she laughed | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person feminine singular |
| לְי֣וֹם | to a day | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| אַחֲרֽוֹן׃ | future | Adj |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come. |
| KJV | Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. |
| ASV | Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come. |
| YLT | Strength and honour [are] her clothing, And she rejoiceth at a latter day. |
| WEB | Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. |
| BBE | Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile. |
Where they part company is אַחֲרוֹן — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a conjunction and a verb clause, creating a clear structure that emphasizes her qualities and actions.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׂחַק
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
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 31:25
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 31:25 is part of a passage that praises the qualities of a virtuous woman. This woman is depicted as industrious and wise, providing for her family and managing her household. The surrounding verses highlight her capabilities and the respect she earns from her family and community, illustrating the ideal characteristics of a woman in biblical wisdom literature.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 29:14 | I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban. |
| 2 | Job 40:10 | Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory. |
| 3 | Psalm 132:9–16 | May Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and Your saints shout for joy. |
| 4 | Isaiah 61:10 | I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. |
| 5 | Romans 13:14 | Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עֹז, 'oz-generated
The word עֹז ('oz) is a noun meaning strength or might, encompassing various dimensions such as physical power, social status, and boldness. It is often associated with the strength of God or a strong leader, indicating a robust character.
In this verse, עֹז describes the inner power and courage that define the woman's character, showing that her strength is not merely physical but also moral and spiritual. This strength is essential for her role and the dignity she embodies.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB has strength and honor are her clothing, which is echoed in the KJV and ASV.
Where translations differ is in the rendering of אַחֲרוֹן. The DRA and GNV translate it as in the latter day, while BBE and FBV choose future.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the verb תִּשְׂחַ֗ק, she laughed, which is complemented by two noun phrases: עֹז־ וְהָדָ֥ר as the subject and לְבוּשָׁ֑הּ as the predicate. This structure emphasizes the qualities that define her character.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the strength and honor as foundational to her identity, leading to her ability to laugh at the future. The arrangement highlights the relationship between her character and her outlook.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עֹז as ἰσξὺν (ischyn), which conveys a similar meaning of strength but may carry a more physical connotation. This choice reflects the translators' interpretation of the woman's strength.
For הָדָר, the LXX uses εὐπρέπειαν (euprepeian), emphasizing beauty and honor, aligning with the original Hebrew's focus on dignity and glory.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 31:25 describes a woman who is strong and dignified, wearing these qualities as clothing. She is able to face the future with laughter and confidence, showing her inner strength and character.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This means that her character is defined by strength and dignity, which are as essential to her as clothing.
Her strength and honor give her confidence and joy about the future, allowing her to face it without fear.
It highlights her inner strength and dignity, portraying her as a capable and wise individual who manages her household well.
The word 'laugh' conveys joy and confidence, suggesting that she is not anxious about the future but rather embraces it with a positive outlook.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I cultivate strength and dignity in my own life?
- How can I learn to face the future with confidence, like the woman described in this verse?
- What are some practical ways to support and uplift those around me, reflecting the qualities of the virtuous woman?
- How does this passage challenge traditional views of women's roles in society?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Bede comments on this verse, noting that strength and dignity are essential for enduring hardship and exercising virtue.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she will laugh at the last day. Strength, to endure the harshness of the wicked; dignity, to exercise the grace of virtues.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 31 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 31:25 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleStrength and honour [are] her clothing,.... Strength, not of body, but of mind.
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 BibleStrength; not strength of body, which is no ornament of that sex, save only as she preserves her health and strength by sobriety and exercise, which other men waste by intemperance and idleness; but strength of mind, magnanimity, courage, resolution, activity. Honour; either, 1. Her prudent, and pious, and amiable behaviour, in which true honour principally consists. Or, 2. That good name and honourable esteem which she hath gained amongst all that know her by her virtuous disposition and carnage. Her clothing; these, and not her rich garments mentioned before, are her great ornament and glory. She shall rejoice in thee to come: the sense is either, 1. In her old age she reaps the comfort…
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 31 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 31:25 Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.Ver. 25. Strength and honour are her clothing.] See Proverbs 31:22. She is not of those, quae fulgent monilibus, sordent moribus, that are well habited but ill mannered. No; she is inwardly decked with spiritual attire, such as rendereth her glorious in the eyes of God and angels. "The joy of the Lord is her strength," so that she laugheth at the time to come. This "daughter of Sarah, so long as she doth well," and hath the euge a good conscience, "is not afraid with any amazement," as women are apt to be. Gaudebat Crispina cum tenebatur, cure audiebatur, cum damnabatur, cam dacebutur. So did…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 31 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(25) Strength and honour are her clothing.—She never parts with them; they serve her, like clothing, for protection and ornament. (Comp. Psalms 104:1.) And she shall rejoice in time to come.—Rather, smiles at the coming day; does not fear the future.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 31 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 25. Strength and honour are her clothing] 16. All the articles manufactured by herself or under her care have a double perfection: 1). They are strong. 2) They are elegant; Strength and honour are her clothing; and on account of this she shall rejoice in time to come; she shall never have occasion to blush for any thing she has made, for any thing she or hers have worn, or for any thing she has sold. Besides, she has so conducted herself that she has reason to expect that the hand of the Lord shall be still with her, and shall keep her from evil that it may not grieve her.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 31 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges25. she shall rejoice in] Rather: she laugheth at, i.e. so far from regarding it with apprehension, she can look forward to it with joyful confidence. Comp. “He laugheth at the rushing of the javelin,” in the description of Leviathan, Job 41:29.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 31 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleShall rejoice in time to come - Better, rejoiceth over the time to come; i. e., looks forward to the future, not with anxious care, but with confident gladness.
Read Albert Barnes 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
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come.
Tyndale line
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.
Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.
Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Strength and honour is her clothing, and in the latter day she shall reioyce.
Strictly literal
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth [at] the coming day.
Strength and honour [are] her clothing, And she rejoiceth at a latter day.
Strength and honor [are] her clothing, || And she rejoices at a latter day.
Strength and dignity are her clothing: and she smileth at the coming of the last day.
She is clothed with strength and honor, and she laughs at the time to come.
From the Latin
Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
Simplified
She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.
Word by word, the decisions they made
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 of Proverbs 31:25 reads, "Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come," with the Hebrew words עֹז־ וְהָדָ֥ר לְבוּשָׁ֑הּ וַ֝תִּשְׂחַ֗ק לְי֣וֹם אַחֲרֽוֹן׃. The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in meaning, as all six words correspond closely, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. There are no significant differences noted in the Samaritan Pentateuch or the Dead Sea Scrolls for this verse, indicating a strong consistency across these ancient witnesses.
עֹז־ וְהָדָ֥ר לְבוּשָׁ֑הּ וַ֝תִּשְׂחַ֗ק לְי֣וֹם אַחֲרֽוֹן׃
6 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 31:25
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.
עֹז (oz) refers to strength or might, encompassing material, physical, personal, social, and political dimensions. It can denote boldness or impudence and is associated with the might of God. The word is built from the root related to strength and power, with various applications noted in the entries.
עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז n.m. strength, might
material and physical
personal, social, and political
might of י׳
= boldness, impudence
= stronghold
base
H5797 עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז strength, might . material and physical
. personal, social, and political
. might of י׳
. = boldness, impudence
. = stronghold
5797 `oz oze
or (fully) rowz {oze}; from 5810; strength in various
applications (force, security, majesty, praise):--boldness,
loud, might, power, strength, strong.
see HEBREW for 05810
עֹז (oz) — strength.
1) might, strength
1a) material or physical
1b) personal or social or political
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29
הָדָר (hadar) refers to concepts of ornament, splendour, and honour, primarily in a poetic context. It is derived from a root meaning magnificence and encompasses beauty, glory, and majesty. The term captures a range of meanings related to excellence and goodliness.
הָדָר n.m. ornament, splendour, honour (chiefly poet.)
base
H1926 הָדָר ornament, splendour, honour (chiefly poet.)
1926 hadar haw-dawr'
from 1921; magnificence, i.e. ornament or splendor:--beauty,
comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honour,
majesty.
see HEBREW for 01921
הָדָר (ha.dar) — glory.
1) ornament, splendour, honour
1a) ornament
1b) splendour, majesty
1c) honour, glory
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
לְבוּשׁ (lebush) refers to clothing or garments in a literal or figurative sense, and can also imply a euphemism for a wife. It encompasses terms like apparel and raiment. The word is derived from a root meaning related to clothing, and its Aramaic equivalent is noted as well.
לְבוּשׁ, לְבֻשׁ n.m. garment, clothing, raiment
base
H3830 לְבוּשׁ, לְבֻשׁ garment, clothing, raiment
3830 lbuwsh leb-oosh'
or lbush {leb-oosh'}; from 3847; a garment (literally or
figuratively); by implication (euphem.) a wife:--apparel,
clothed with, clothing, garment, raiment, vestment, vesture.
see HEBREW for 03847
לְבוּשׁ (le.vush) — clothing.
clothing, garment, apparel, raiment
Aramaic equivalent: le.vush (לְבוּשׁ "garment" H3831)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3fs
שָׂחַק (sachaq) is a Hebrew verb meaning to laugh, with connotations of playfulness and mockery. It can express laughter in pleasure or derision, as well as the act of playing or making sport. The entries indicate various forms, such as Qal for general laughter, Piel for making sport, and Hiphil for mockery.
שָׂחַק vb. laugh
Qal
laugh at
appar. of friendly laugh
sport, play
Pi.
make sport
jest
play
Hiph. (declar.) they uttered mockery
base
H7832 שָׂחַק laugh
7832 sachaq saw-khak'
a primitive root; to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by
implication, to play:--deride, have in derision, laugh, make
merry, mock(-er), play, rejoice, (laugh to) scorn, be in
(make) sport.
שָׂחַק (sa.chaq) — to laugh.
1) to laugh, play, mock
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to laugh (usually in contempt or derision)
1a2) to sport, play
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make sport
1b2) to jest
1b3) to play (including instrumental music, singing, dancing)
1c) (Hiphil) to laugh mockingly
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person feminine singularHc/Vqw3fs
יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
יוֹם 2285 n.m. day
day, opp. night
Day as division of time
יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
Pl. days of anyone
Days
יוֹם = time
Phrases
base
H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night
. Day as division of time
. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
. Pl. days of anyone
. Days
. יוֹם = time
. Phrases
3117 yowm yome
from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm
hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one
sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by
an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +
chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)
day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +
(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as
(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,
presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,
then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,
weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole
(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.
יוֹם (yom) — day.
: day/when/time/period
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: old.
: old/(full/many)[days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: year.
: year[of_days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
da (yom; hemera): This common word has caused some trouble to plain readers, because they have not noticed that the word is used in several different senses in the English Bible. When the different uses of the word are understood the difficulty of interpretation vanishes. We note several different uses of the word:
(1) It sometimes means the time from daylight till dark. This popular meaning is easily discovered by the context, e. g. Ge 1:5; 8:22, etc. The marked periods of this daytime were morning, noon and night, as with us. See Ps 55:17. The early hours were sometimes called "the cool of the day" (Ge 3:8). After the exile the day. or daytime was divided into twelve hours and the night into twelve (see
Day
The Jews reckoned the day from sunset to sunset (Lev. 23:32). It was originally divided into three parts (Ps. 55:17). “The heat of the day” (1 Sam. 11:11; Neh. 7:3) was at our nine o’clock, and “the cool of the day” just before sunset (Gen. 3:8). Before the Captivity the Jews divided the night into three watches, (1) from sunset to midnight (Lam. 2:19); (2) from midnight till the cock-crowing (Judg. 7:19); and (3) from the cock-crowing till sunrise (Ex.…
The variable length of the natural day at different seasons led in the very earliest times to the adoption of the civil day (or one revolution of the sun) as a standard of time. The Hebrews reckoned the day from evening to evening, (Leviticus 23:32) deriving it from (Genesis 1:5) "the evening and the morning were the first day." The Jews are supposed, like the modern Arabs, to have adopted from an early period minute specifications of the parts of the natural day. Roughly, indeed, they were content to divide it into "morning, evening and noonday," (Psalms 55:17) but when they wished for greater accuracy they pointed to six unequal parts, each of which was again subdivided. These are held to have been -- "the dawn." "Sunrise."…
The day is distinguished into natural, civil, and artificial. The natural day is one revolution of the earth on its axis. The civil day is that, the beginning and the end of which are determined by the custom of any nation. The Hebrews began their day in the evening, Le 23:32; the Babylonians at sunrise; and we begin at midnight. The artificial day is the time of the sun’s continuance above the horizon, which is unequal according to different seasons, on account of the obliquity of the equator. The sacred writers generally divide the day into twelve hours. The sixth hour always ends at noon throughout the year; and the twelfth hour is the last hour before sunset. But in summer, all the hours of the day were longer than in winter, while those of night were shorter. See HOURS, and THREE.
The Hebrew word אַחֲרוֹן (*acharown*) means 'last' or 'coming after.' It can refer to both spatial and temporal contexts, indicating something that is behind or subsequent. The entries highlight its use in describing location (e.g., western) and time (e.g., latter). There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
אַחֲרוֹן 61 f. אַחֲרוֹנָה, pl. אַחֲרֹנִים (also אַחֲרוֹנִים), adj. from אַחַר, coming after or behind
of place, behind, hindermost
of time, latter or last
base
H314 אַחֲרוֹן f. אַחֲרוֹנָה, pl. אַחֲרֹנִים (also אַחֲרוֹנִים), coming after or behind
314 'acharown akh-ar-one'
or (shortened) ;acharon {akh-ar-one'}; from 309; hinder;
generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east)
western:--after (-ward), to come, following,
hind(-er, -ermost, -most), last, latter, rereward,
ut(ter)most.
see HEBREW for 0309
אַחֲרוֹן (a.cha.ron) — last.
1) behind, following, subsequent, western
1a) behind, hindermost, western (of location)
1b) later, subsequent, latter, last (of time)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
fu'-tur, fu'-chur.
See ESCHATOLOGY.