# Proverbs 31 đź“–: Lemuel's Mother and the Noble Wife
[[đź“š Explore the Bible Books]]
[[-Proverbs Overview]] | [[Proverbs 30]] | [[Ecclesiastes 01]]
> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#đź“ś Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#🤔 Interesting Facts]]
> [[#🧠Chapter Summary]]
> [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application]]
> [[#đź’¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#đź”— Related Passages]]
> [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#🛤 Life Application]]
> [[#đź“‚ Internal Notes]]
## đź“ś Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
## The Sayings of King Lemuel
[[#Verse 01.]] The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:
[[#Verse 02.]] O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
[[#Verse 03.]] do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings.
[[#Verse 04.]] It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave strong drink,
[[#Verse 05.]] lest they drink and forget what is decreed and remove from all the poor their legal rights.
[[#Verse 06.]] Give strong drink to the one who is perishing and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;
[[#Verse 07.]] let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.
[[#Verse 08.]] Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying.
[[#Verse 09.]] Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
#### A Wife of Noble Character
[[#Verse 10.]] Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies.
[[#Verse 11.]] Her husband’s heart has trusted her, and he does not lack the dividends.
[[#Verse 12.]] She has rewarded him with good and not harm all the days of her life.
[[#Verse 13.]] She sought out wool and flax, then worked happily with her hands.
[[#Verse 14.]] She was like the merchant ships; she would bring in her food from afar.
[[#Verse 15.]] Then she rose while it was still night, and provided food for her household and a portion to her female servants.
[[#Verse 16.]] She considered a field and bought it; from her own income she planted a vineyard.
[[#Verse 17.]] She clothed herself in might, and she strengthened her arms.
[[#Verse 18.]] She perceived that her merchandise was good. Her lamp would not go out in the night.
[[#Verse 19.]] She extended her hands to the spool, and her hands grasped the spindle.
[[#Verse 20.]] She opened her hand to the poor, and extended her hands to the needy.
[[#Verse 21.]] She would not fear for her household in winter, because all her household were clothed with scarlet,
[[#Verse 22.]] because she had made coverings for herself; and because her clothing was fine linen and purple.
[[#Verse 23.]] Her husband is well known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land.
[[#Verse 24.]] She made linen garments then sold them and traded belts to the merchants;
[[#Verse 25.]] her clothing was strong and splendid; and she laughed at the time to come.
[[#Verse 26.]] She has opened her mouth with wisdom, with loving instruction on her tongue.
[[#Verse 27.]] Watching over the ways of her household, she would not eat the bread of idleness.
[[#Verse 28.]] Her children have risen and called her blessed; her husband also has praised her:
[[#Verse 29.]] “Many daughters have done valiantly, but you have surpassed them all!”
[[#Verse 30.]] Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting. A woman who fears the Lord—she makes herself praiseworthy.
[[#Verse 31.]] Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates.
## đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
###### Verse 22.
###### Verse 23.
###### Verse 24.
###### Verse 25.
###### Verse 26.
###### Verse 27.
###### Verse 28.
###### Verse 29.
###### Verse 30.
###### Verse 31.
## 🤔 Interesting Facts
##### Is This Lady Wisdom?
Controversy- Is this talking about a woman or talking about “Lady Wisdom?”
- If a godly woman- This would seem like a completely “stripping of gears.”
- If Lady Wisdom- This would mean that Solomon is saying this is what living in wisdom looks like for all.
- The chapter is divided into two sections: advice to King Lemuel from his mother, and the “virtuous woman” poem.
- Verses 1–9 show that biblical leadership includes justice for the voiceless and personal self-control.
- The “Proverbs 31 woman” is an acrostic poem in Hebrew, with each line starting with a different letter of the alphabet.
- Her qualities—diligence, wisdom, fear of the Lord—are presented as the true measure of feminine greatness.
- Verse 30—“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting”—emphasizes inward character over outward appearance.
1. The sayings in 31:1-9 are the words King Lemuel's mother taught him, the only section of Proverbs credited to a woman's teaching.
2. King Lemuel is not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture, and his identity is unknown.
3. Like 30:1, verse 1 uses the word *massa*, which may refer to the place Massa rather than an "oracle."
4. Verses 10-31 form an acrostic poem: each of the 22 verses begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
5. The phrase "woman of noble character" (*eshet chayil*) is also used of Ruth (Ruth 3:11), and in many printed Hebrew Bibles the book of Ruth comes right after Proverbs.
6. She is called more precious than jewels (31:10), the same kind of language Proverbs uses for wisdom itself (3:15; 8:11). This is one reason many connect her with Lady Wisdom.
7. Her husband is known in the city gates where he sits with the elders (31:23), the place of public leadership and legal decisions.
8. Purple clothing (31:22) was costly, because the dye came from murex sea snails.
9. Verse 24 says she sells linen garments to merchants. The Hebrew word is "Canaanite," a term that came to mean trader.
10. The book of Proverbs begins with the fear of the Lord (1:7) and ends with a woman who fears the Lord (31:30).
## 🧠Chapter Summary
**Main Teaching**: Proverbs 31 is divided into two parts: the first gives King Lemuel’s mother’s advice on leadership, warning against immorality, drunkenness, and injustice. The second part praises the virtuous woman, highlighting her wisdom, strength, fear of the Lord, and care for her household.
**How It Fits in Proverbs**: This chapter fittingly closes the book by embodying the themes of wisdom in leadership and daily life. The description of the noble wife serves as the ultimate picture of wisdom in action—faithful, disciplined, godly, and strong.
**Apologetic Insight**: Proverbs 31 affirms that godliness and virtue are not confined to religious spaces but are lived out in every sphere, including home, business, and community. It powerfully counters cultural trends that devalue biblical womanhood by honoring wisdom as strength, dignity, and reverence for God.
## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the King who speaks up for those who cannot speak for themselves (31:8-9). The noble wife, more precious than jewels, also reflects His bride, the church, whom He loves and makes radiant (Ephesians 5:25-27). Her fear of the Lord (31:30) points to the wisdom found fully in Him.
## 🔎 Key Observations / 🛟 Life Application
- đź“Ś A godly woman is marked by strength, wisdom, and fear of the Lord.
- đź“Ś True beauty is found in character, not appearance.
- đź“Ś Leadership must be just, sober-minded, and advocate for the voiceless.
#### Today, I can apply this chapter by:
- âś… Honor and celebrate the godly women in your life.
- âś… Encourage character and kindness over charm and appearance.
- âś… Take responsibility and lead your home, work, or church with integrity.
- âś… Look for ways to serve others selflessly today.
- âś… Ask God to help you become a person of noble character.
## đź’¬ Discussion Questions
1. King Lemuel's mother urges him to defend the rights of the poor and needy (31:8-9). Who are the voiceless around you?
2. Charm is deceptive and beauty fades, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised (31:30). How does our culture measure worth differently?
3. Do you read 31:10-31 as a portrait of a godly woman, a picture of Lady Wisdom, or both? What difference does that make for every reader?
## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember
- đź“– verses 8-9: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and defend the rights of the poor and needy. A call to courage, advocacy, and justice in leadership.
- đź“– verse 10: A woman of noble character is hard to find and worth far more than jewels. Godly character matters more than outward charm or wealth.
- đź“– verses 26 and 30: She speaks with wisdom and kindness, and her fear of the Lord, not her charm or beauty, earns lasting praise.
- đź“– verses 28-29: Her children and husband rise up and bless her.
## đź”— Related Passages
- đź”— [[1 Peter 03#Verse 03.|1 Peter 3:3-4]] - True beauty is the inner person of the heart.
- đź”— [[Titus 02#Verse 03.|Titus 2:3-5]] - Older women teach what is good.
- đź”— [[Matthew 05#Verse 16.|Matthew 5:16]] - Let your light shine before others.
- đź”— [[Ruth 03#Verse 11.|Ruth 3:11]] - Ruth is known as a woman of noble character.
- đź”— [[Ephesians 05#Verse 25.|Ephesians 5:25-27]] - Christ loves the church and makes her radiant.
## 🙏 Devotional Reflection
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## 🛤 Life Application
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## đź“‚ Internal Notes