Proverbs 31

Lemuels lesson concerning the modesty and sobriety of Kings, v.1, etc. Of comforting and assisting those that are grieved and afflicted, 6, etc. The praise and properities of a virtuous wife, 10 etc.

1. The words of King Lemuel, [That is, the words which were given unto this King for an instruction, and by him embraced, recorded, and thus left unto all men for them use and edification. This Lemuel is also called Lemuel, below v.4. Which word signifieth as much as unto, or before God; that is, he that belongeth unto God, on is dedicated unto him. The common opinion is, that by this man is meant King Salomon himself, who is also called Jedidja, that is, the beloved of the Lord. See 2 Sam.25. and the annotate.] the burden, [see above chap.30.on v.1.] whereby his Mother [namely, Bethseba, of whom see 2 Sam.11.3. 1 Kings 1:11. and chap.2.13. etc.] instructed him. [to wit, before he was crowned King, or presently after.]

2. What O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, o son of my vow? [These are the words of his Mothers instruction, as if she had said, what (shall I say) ? or how shall the thing be, o my son? I must needs teach and instruct thee in that, which I count to be most needful and necessary for thee. Son of my womb. Compare Isa.49.15. So are children also called in respect of their Father, Job 19:15. So likewise the fruit of the womb; to wit, of their parents, Deut.28.4. 18,53. Son of my vows; that is, for whom I made so many vows unto the Lord, (which I have also performed) to wit, that thou mightiest come to the crown and Kingdom, and therein quit thy self so, as becometh a godly and religious King to do.]

3. Give not thy strength [That is, the powers and faculties of thy soul and body, together with thy temporal estate. Compare above chap.5.9,10.] unto women; [compare Deut.17.17.] nor thy ways, [that is, thy inclinations, dealing and works] to destroy Kings. [that is, presumptuously and without cause, to conquer the lands and cities of Kings, making war against them out of meer arrogancy, pride and covetousness. Oth.give not thy affections unto women, which tendeth to destroy Kings; that is, utterly to consume them, and to cause them to perish.]

4. It is not for Kings, O Lemoel, it is not meet for Kings to drink wine; [To wit, inconsiderately. Oth. Be it far from Kings, &c. To drink wine, &c.] and for Princes to desire strong drink. [or, nor Princes strong drink, or, and (to enquire) where strong drink is.

5. Lest he [To wit, every one of the Kings and Princes] drink, and forget the statute [the Hebrew word signifieth that which is not only once ordained and established, to be kept as a Law; but which is also for such an end and purpose ingraved, carved and written in stone, copper or any other material, according to which the Judges sentence must at all times be formed and framed] and alter the judgement of all afflicted ones. [Heb. Children of affliction; that is, afflicted men. So children of death, Psa.79.1. for men appointed unto death; children of alteration, or of ruine, or destruction, v.8. children of the captivity, Eph.4.1. for men that had been carried away captive: children of the curse, 2 Pet.2.14. for cursed men.]

6. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish: [That is, that pineth and melteth away, and (as it were) consumeth away to nothing, by reason of some grief, wherein he is plunged. Compare Deut.26.5.] and wine unto those, that are bitterly grieved in soul; [Heb. That are bitter in soul; that is, that are bitterly grieved in their heart. See 2 Kings 4.on v.27.]

7. Let him drink, [To wit, he that perisheth and is bitter in soul. Here is a change or alteration of the number. Compare Job 24.on v.8.] and forget his poverty; and remember his trouble no more.

8. Open thy mouth [So in the next verse, see Job 33.on v.2.] for the dumb; [that is, for him that is not able to speak for himself by reason of his unfitness and impediment in his speech; or date not speak, through fear of his potent adversary] for the cause of all that are about to perish. [Hebr. Children of alteration, or of destruction; that is, that are in danger of suffering wrongfully some hurtful change or alteration, that is, great damage in their estates, body or credit, yea which might tend to their utter undoing. Oth. Of all the children of else but as it were a throw-fare, and stepping over, or passage unto death.]

9. Open thy mouth, judge righteously: [Heb. Judge righteousness; that is, righteously or rightly, so Deut.1.16. Oth.in or with righteousness, as this full and entire phrase is found, Lev.19.15. Psa.9.9.] and do justice to the afflicted and needy.

10. Aleph. Who shall find a virtuous wife? [This praise and declaration of the vertues of a prudent and diligent Mother of a family, is here placed, and set down in the first letters of every verse, according to the order of the Hebrew ALPHABET: and therefore the names of the names of the letters are put if the beginning of the verse. See Psa.25.on v.1. Heb. A wife of virtue, or piety, or valour. So Ruth 3:11. see Gen.47.6. the annotate. On the word valiant, compare above chap.12.4.] for her value is far above Rubies. [of Rubies see Job 28:18. and the annotate.]

11. Beth. The heart of her Lord [That is, of her husband. See 2 Sam.11.26. and the annotate.] trusteth in her, so that no good (thing) shall be wanting unto him. [the Hebrew word Selah, (rendered here good) siginfieth properly spoil, or prey; that is, all moveable goods, which in time of war are spoiled, or taken away from the Enemy: but understand here by way of comparison, or similitude, all kind of Goods, that are gained and gotten by labour or trading. Compare herewith below v.15. the signification of the word tereph, meat, or food.]

12. Gimel. She doth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life, [Or, she rewardeth good unto him, &c. See of the Hebrew word 2 Chron.20.on v.11. Prov.11.on v.17. The idiom and property of the Hebrew tongue is, to repeat the same thing again with denial of the contrary, Psal.102.18. Luke 1:20. &c.]

13. Daleth. She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh [The Hebrew word asah is elsewhere taken for working. See Gen.39.on v.30. Exod.31.4. Ruth 2:10. and the annotate. 2 Chron.2.7.] with delight of her hands. [so to the hands is ascribed refusing or dislike and unwillingness, above chap.21.25.]

14. He. She is like the merchants ships; [That is, like the merchant men; or the ships that go upon merchants affairs, and trade for merchandise] she causeth her bread [that is, whatsoever tendeth to the sustentation and preservation of this temporal life. Compare above chap.4.on v.17.] to come from a far. [that is, she provideth and furnisheth her self opportunity, not only of those things that are to be had there in the country where she liveth, but also of those that must be fetched and brought from far and remote places; for which she either payeth money, or wares made by her own folks.]

15. Vau. And she riseth, when it is yet night, and giveth meat [The Hebrew word, Tereph, signifieth properly prey, or victual that is gotten by robbing or plundering, as Nuymb.23.24. Job.24.5. but it is also taken for other food or victual, as here, and Psa.111.5. Malach.3.10. as also the word hitriph, above, chap.30.8. is as much as feeding with ordinary food] to her house, [that is, to her household, see Gen.7.on v.1.] and the appointed portion [see Job 23.on v.8.] to her maidens.

16. Zain. She thinketh of a field, [The word Zaman is for the most part taken in a bad sense, and for evil and wicked thoughts, as Deut.19.19. Psal.37.12. above chap.30.32, &c. But here it is taken in a good sense, for diligent, prudent, and pious thoughts. Compare Zach.8.15. So the word. Mezimmah, signifying thought, is taken likewise both in a good and in a bad sense. See, Job 21.on vers.27.] and getteth it [To wit, with an intention to raise yet more gain and profit thereby for her family. Compare above chap.24.27.] with the fruit of her hands [that is, with the gain and profit which she getteth by her handy-work, and trading] she planteth a vineyard.

17. Cheth. She girdeth her loines with strength, [That is, she applieth her self with diligence and courage to the work, she goeth roundly to it, as we say, see Exod.12.on v.11.] and she strengtheneth her arms. [That is, she maketh her self ready for the work, or (as we use to say) she strips up her arms. Here mention is made especially of the loines and arms, because therein lieth the greatest strength that is requisite and needful for labour.]

18. Teth. She tasteth, [That is, judgeth, conceiveth, findeth, and perceiveth. Understand this of the taste of heart. Compare Psal.34.on vers.9. and Job 12.on v.20.] that her merchandize is good: [that is, profitable, so Jerem.5.51. 1 Cor.7.1.] her lamp goeth not out by night. [to wit, because she useth it a long while in the night, or in night-time.]

19. Jod. She putteth forth her hands to the spindle. [To wit, whereby she windeth or twisteth her threed or yarn. Oth. Where] and the palms of her hand take hold of the distaff. [to wit, to turn it by whiles, and to pull or draw her flax or wool off from it. It is conceived, that the old fashion or custome of spinning was not done with a wheel, but (as at this day, is yet much and frequently used) with a spindle and distaff.]

20. Coph. She strenghteth out the palm of her hand to the miserable: (or poor) and she putteth forth her hands to the needy. [to wit, to help them; for she is diligent, not onely to provide for her own family, but also to communicate unto the poor.]

21. Lamed. She feareth not for her house, [That is, household, so above, v.15. and straightway again in this same verse.] because of the snow: [understand hereby all manner of intemperance issuing from the air] for all her house is cloathed with double garments. [that is, with two suits of apparel. Oth. With scarlet, that is, not onely for necessity, to keep off the cold, but also for ornament to those that belong to the family of a great woman or Lady. Some understand by her house, none but her husband, and her children. Yet forasmuch as it seemeth, that scarlet was somewhat common in those countrys, 2. Sam.1.24. it is not incredible, but that some servants and waiting Gentle-women, pertaining to such great houses and families, might have worn such kind of apparel, and therefore (doubtless) were much more stored with other garments, to fence and protect them against the coldness and sharpness of the weather.]

22. Mem. She maketh for her self Tapestry-ornament, [See above, chap.7.on v.16.] her clothing is fine linen [see Gen.41.on v.42.] and purple. [that is, a garment that is of a dark or deep red, or crimson colour.]

23. Nun. Her husband is known in the gates; [That is, houses or places of judicature, see Gen.22.on v.17.] when he sitteth with the eldest of the land. [that is, the Rulers and Governors of the land, who are commonly chosen out of those that are old in years (at least old in wisdom and understanding) see 2 Kings 23:1.]

24. Samech. She maketh fine linen cloth, [See here of Judge.14.on v.12.] and selleth it: and she delivered girdles [which served in war, to be thereby, as by a military token or badge, admitted to the use and practice of 20.8. and to make the members of the body ready, firm, and strong for any work or business, see Exod.12.on v.11. Eph.6.14. The girdle served also for an ornament to the body, Isa.3.on verse.24.] unto the merchant. [Hebr. Unto the Canaanite. See Job 40.on vers.25.]

25. Ain. Strength, [That is, valour, courage, confidence in God, and undauntedness of spirit] and glory [that is, ornament of piety, and virtuous manners] are her clothing: [that is, she is therewith well stored and provided, and keepeth her self close thereunto as unto an ordinary and daily clothing or wearing apparel, compare Job 29.on vers.14.] and she laughteth at the day that is a coming. [that is, she is quiet, void of care, and without fear, in respect of the time to come, and that by reason of a good conscience, and the order which she hath made and taken in her housekeeping. Laughing is here taken, for being without fear, and for despising, see Job 5.on v.22.] at the day that is a coming. [meaning, the time to come, wherein she might be visited with adversity, want, or poverty. Others understand the time of old age, or the time of death, or the day of judgement that is to come.]

26. Pe. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the doctrine of kindness. [That is, speech of desiring to do well unto all, and exhortation to provoke and stir up others thereunto.]

27. Tsade. She beholdeth the goings of her house: [That is, how things go in her family, minding her children, her servants, the businesses and employements they are about, the moveables and household-stuff, as also the means and moneys that she is intrusted withal by her husband] and she eateth not the bread of idleness. [that is, the bread that is gotten without honest labour and taking of pains. Compare above, chap.4. on verse 17.]

28. Koph. Her children [Or sons] rise up, [that is, are ready and prepared to praise and commend her; as they likewise do straightway perform it. So, to rise up, or to get ones self up, is as much as to fit and make one self ready for, or apply ones self to any business, Gen.37.35. Exod.2.17. Jos.18.4. 1 Sam.25.29, &c.] and pronounce her blessed: (also) her husband; [to wit, getteth him up] and he praiseth her; (saying)

29. Resch. Many daughters [That is, many women, so, Genes.30.13. Luke 23:28.] have done virtuously; [to wit, in house-keeping, so is the word Chail taken, Ruth 3:11. and here above, verse 10.Oth. have done virtue, or, gathered riches] But thou excellest them all. [These and the former words of the verse, are the words of the verse, are the words of the husband and his sons.]

30. Schin. Favour, [Meaning, outward comeliness, and grace, or handsomeness, which some women-kind might have in or about them. See, Nahum.3.4.] is deceit, [Hebr. A lie, or falsehood, to wit, because they are deceived that rely upon it, as upon a sure and lasting estate; and because oftentimes great and gross vices are hidden under it] and beauty (is) vanty; [That is, fading, and soon or easily vanishing, see Job 15.on verse 31.] (but) a woman that feareth the LORD, [or a woman of the fear of the Lord; that is, a woman that is indued with the fear of the Lord] she shall be praised.

31. Tau. Give her of fruit [Of the word, fruit see above, chap.1.o verse 31.] of her hands: [that is, works. To give something in words, is to praise, or commend, Jerem.13.16. he intimateth by the forementioned words, that others should from the work of her hands take matter for to praise and commend her] and let her works praise her in the gates. [that is, in the public Congregations and Assemblies of the people, which were wont to be in the gates, where Judgement was kept, and Justice administered.]