Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:1

The words, &c. The Hebrew dibrey has no governing noun; so one must be understood thus. “[An unnamed one’s] words [addressed] to king Lemuel: a burden which his mother [repeatedly] taught him”.

king Lemuel = to El and for El, a king. Compare Jedidiah = beloved of Jah (2 Samuel 12:25). Solomon was the royal seed in the line of Him Who is King of kings and Lord of lords. The Talmud says (Avoth d’Rab. Nathan, c. 39): “Solomon was called by six names: Solomon, Jedidiah, Koheleth, Son of Jakeh, Agur, and Lemuel”.

prophecy = oracle, oracular utterance, or burden.

his mother. Compare the Structure, (p. 864).

Proverbs 31:2

my son? Compare the Structure, (p. 864),

Proverbs 31:4

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27.

strong drink. Hebrew. shekar. App-27.

Proverbs 31:6

of heavy hearts = bitter of soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

Proverbs 31:7

poverty. Hebrew. rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11,

Proverbs 31:8

such as are appointed to destruction. Hebrew = sons of destruction. Genitive of Relation, as in Romans 8:36. App-17(5).

Proverbs 31:9

the poor- a poor one. Hebrew. ’ani. See note on Proverbs 31:6, Proverbs 31:11.

needy = a needy one. Hebrew. ’ ebyon. See note on Proverbs 31:6, Proverbs 31:11.

Proverbs 31:10

Who can find . . . ? This heading is the Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6. The twenty-two verses which follow, each begin with the twenty-two successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The acrostic cannot be reproduced in English, because the letters of the two alphabets vary in their number, order, and equivalents. This is to emphasize the great lesson King Solomon was to learn. Note the warnings against foreign women (p. 865), which, alas! Solomon failed to heed. This is why the book closes with the eulogy of the model Israelitish matron. See the evidence in App-74.

virtuous. The English use of this word limits it to one kind of excellence. The meaning of the Hebrew is wider: hayil = strong in all moral qualities. Ruth is the only one so called in the O.T. May it not be that we have here Bathsheba’s or Solomon’s (and David’s) commendation of Ruth?

Proverbs 31:11

doth . . . trust in = hath confided in. Hebrew. batah. App-69.

no need = no lack.

spoil = gain,

Proverbs 31:12

evil = mischief. Hebrew. ra’a’, App-44.

Proverbs 31:13

willingly with her hands = with her hands’ good will.

Proverbs 31:15

meat = [live] prey. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6, for all kinds of food.

Proverbs 31:18

candle = lamp.

Proverbs 31:20

the poor = a poor one. Hebrew. ’ani. See note on “poverty”, Proverbs 6:11.

Proverbs 31:21

is not = will not.

scarlet = double change of garments.

Proverbs 31:23

known. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the result of that knowledge; viz. respect from all at the city gate, which includes high and low, rich and poor, peasants, labourers and judges.

Proverbs 31:25

she shall rejoice, &c. = she laugheth at the future.

Proverbs 31:26

wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

Proverbs 31:28

children = sons.

Proverbs 31:30

deceitful = Hebrew. sheker. See note on Proverbs 11:18.