Proverbs 31 - Introduction
_LEMUEL'S LESSON OF CHASTITY AND TEMPERANCE. THE AFFLICTED ARE TO BE COMFORTED AND DEFENDED. THE PRAISE AND PROPERTIES OF A GOOD WIFE._... [ Continue Reading ]
_LEMUEL'S LESSON OF CHASTITY AND TEMPERANCE. THE AFFLICTED ARE TO BE COMFORTED AND DEFENDED. THE PRAISE AND PROPERTIES OF A GOOD WIFE._... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORDS OF KING LEMUEL— This chapter, say the generality of commentators, contains Bathsheba's words to Solomon, and his commendation of her. Some, however, have doubted whether _Lemuel_ was not a different person. "I know," says Dr. Delaney, "that some modern critics, contrary to the unanimous ju... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT, MY SON, &C.— Solomon tells us, chap. Proverbs 4:3 that he _was tender and only-beloved in the sight of his mother._ The reader cannot have a finer comment upon that passage, than the beginning of this lecture to Lemuel, where his mother breaks out at once into this excess of tenderness, _What,... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE NOT THY STRENGTH, &C.— David had admonished his son, chap. Proverbs 6:20, &c. _to keep the commandment of his father, and not forsake the law of his mother; for the commandment,_ said he, _is a lamp, and reproofs of instruction are the ways of life, to keep thee from the evil woman:_ and can th... [ Continue Reading ]
OPEN THY MOUTH FOR THE DUMB— _Open thy mouth for the dumb; give judgment to those who have experienced the vicisstudes of human affairs._ The latter clause may be rendered, _In the cause of all strangers,_ or _all children of change._ REFLECTIONS.—We have here, 1. The address of Bathsheba to her so... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO CAN FIND A VIRTUOUS WOMAN, &C.— The versions in general agree in reading this, _a strong woman._ The word חיל _chaiil,_ signifies firmness of body or mind; and is applied to strength of different kinds, agreeably to the context; and therefore may with great propriety be rendered, _a virtuous wom... [ Continue Reading ]
WORKETH WILLINGLY WITH HER HANDS— _From which she forms that which her hands require._ Houbigant. The LXX render it, _She maketh precious or useful work with her hands._... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE IS LIKE THE MERCHANT SHIPS— The woman of oeconomy is, with regard to her husband, like a ship which comes from foreign countries freighted with all kinds of wealth. She brings to her husband an abundance of goods of all sorts. Under the name of _food,_ or bread, is comprehended provision in gene... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE RISETH ALSO WHILE IT IS YET NIGHT— She doth not indulge herself in too much sleep, but is an early riser, before the break of day, to make provision for those who are to go abroad to work in the fields, and to set her maidens their several _tasks_ at home. The reader will observe, that the ideas... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE CONSIDERETH, &C.— _With the fruit of her hands,_ means, _With the fruit of her works;_—her _oeconomy,_ her gain. She finds means by her industry and labour to make acquisitions of land, and to plant a vineyard. It is not without design, that Solomon says, _She considereth a field_ which she inte... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE GIRDETH HER LOINS WITH STRENGTH— It is not sufficient for the mother of a family to command, to exhort, to pray: if she would be well obeyed, and have her work well done, she must put her hand to it. The servant finds nothing too difficult, in which his master or mistress join their labours with... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE PERCEIVETH THAT HER MERCHANDISE IS GOOD— _She perceiveth that her merchandize is advantageous._ Houbigant. The LXX read, _She finds that it is good to work._ "Finding by sweet experience not only how wholesome labour is, but what profit her traffic yields, she doth not conclude her work with the... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ALL HER HOUSEHOLD ARE CLOTHED WITH SCARLET— This seems an inconsistent translation; for, will _scarlet_ keep a person warmer than any other colour? Would it not have been more consistent with the context to have said, _Because they are clothed in warm raiment?_ The margin of our Bible, agreeably... [ Continue Reading ]
DELIVERETH GIRDLES UNTO THE MERCHANT— Herodotus, it seems, thought that the carrying on of commerce by the Egyptian women was a _curiosity_ which deserved to be inserted in his history: it can hardly be thought an impropriety to take notice of this circumstance in a work calculated for the illustrat... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE HER OF THE FRUIT OF HER HANDS— In these latter verses, the sacred writer expresses the felicity of this virtuous woman, dutiful children, a grateful and affectionate husband (Proverbs 31:28.); general esteem and approbation (Proverbs 31:30). Some render this verse, _Men reward her from the frui... [ Continue Reading ]