Proverbs 31
DOYLY— are clothed with scarlet.] Or, “with double garments,” as in the margin. The Hebrew word signifies literally, “double;” and when applied to clothes, signifies either double in quantity and texture, or “double-dyed;” hence, as the purple and scarlet wore the most usual dyes among the Hebrews, the word came to signify, a purple or scarlet dye. Parkhurst. As the sentence seems to refer to a security against cold, it seems better to translate here “double garments.” Dr. Durell.
- Her husband is known in the gates, That is, he is known as her husband; as a man blessed with such a wife; as indebted, perhaps, for his promotion, to the wealth acquired by her management at home; for the splendour and elegance of his apparel, to the labour of her hands; and, it may be, for the preservation and establishment of his virtue and integrity, to the encouragement, in all that is holy and just and good, furnished by her example as well as by her conversation. Bp. Horne.
Proverbs 31:24
24.—girdles] Girdles curiously wrought, which she sells to the merchant. Bp. Patrick. Curiously wrought or embroidered girdles are still an essential part of Eastern finery, both to men and women. Parkhurst. Maillet informs us, that the Arab women have been accustomed to deal in buying and selling things woven of silk, cotton, &c. and simple linen cloth; which is
Proverbs 31:25
- Strength and honour are her clothing;] See the note on Job xxix. 14.
Proverbs 31:29
- Many daughters have done &c.] Her husband will extol her worth and virtue above other women, saying, Other wives have done and deserved well, but thou surpassest them all. Bp. Hall. Happy the children of such a mother; they will be living proofs of the care taken by her in their education, when she taught them to walk, by the paths of honour and virtue, to the mansions of rest and glory. Happy the husband of such a wife, who sees all things prosper under her direction, and the blessing of Heaven derived to his family through her. They will all join in proclaiming, that, among women who do well, honour is chiefly due to the virtuous and diligent wife, the affectionate and sensible mother. Bp. Horne.
Proverbs 31:30
- Favour] A handsome shape and graceful behaviour. Bp. Patrick.
Proverbs 31:31
- Give her of the fruit of her hands; &c.] Let every one extol her virtue; let her not want the just commendations of her pious labours in the greatest assemblies, where, if all men should be silent, her own works will declare her excellent worth. Bp. Patrick.
The picture which is drawn in this chapter of a good housewife is perhaps the most finished of all antiquity. It is drawn at full length, and equally pleasing in every point of view. Dr. Durell.
The following Chapters from the Proverbs are appointed for Proper Lessons on Sundays and Holydays:
CHAP. I. …21st Sunday after Trinity …Evening. — II. …22nd Sunday after Trinity…Morning. — III. …ditto…Evening. — XI. …23rd Sunday after Trinity …Morning. — XII. …ditto…Evening. — XIII. …24th Sunday after Trinity…Morning. — XIV. …ditto…Evening. — XV. …25th Sunday after Trinity …Morning. CHAP. XVI. …25th Sunday after Trinity …Evening. — XVII. …26th Sunday after Trinity …Morning. — XIX. …ditto …Evening. — XX. …St. Andrew …Morning. — XXI. …ditto …Evening. — XXIII. …St. Thomas …Morning. — XXIV. …ditto …Evening. — XXVIII. St. Stephen …Morning.