Proverbs 31:10-12
Verse 10. Who can find a virtuous woman?] This and the following verses are acrostic, each beginning with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet: Pr 31:10, aleph; Pr 31:11, beth; Pr 31:12, gimel; and so on to the end of the chapter, the last verse of which has the letter tau. From this to the end of the chapter we have the character of a woman of genuine worth laid down; first, in general, Pr 31:10-12; secondly, in its particular or component parts, Pr 31:13-29; and, thirdly, the summing up of the character, Pr 31:30, 31. I. Her general character. 1. She is a virtuous woman-a woman of power and strength. esheth chayil, a strong or virtuous wife, full of mental energy. 2. She is invaluable; her price is far above rubies-no quantity of precious stones can be equal to her worth. Verse 11. The heart of her husband] 3. She is an unspotted wife. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her-he knows she will take care that a proper provision is made for his household, and will not waste any thing. He has no need for spoil-he is not obliged to go out on predatory excursions, to provide for his family, at the expense of the neighbouring tribes. Verse 12. She will do him good] 4. She has her husband's happiness in view constantly. She recompenses all his kindness to her in beneficent acts. For kind words she returns kind deeds. 1. Her good is unmixed; she will do him good, and not evil. 2. Her good is not capricious; it is constant and permanent, while she and her husband live. His heart safely trusts in her, for she will do him good all the days of her life. This is her general character.
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