Taking a Closer Look At Proverbs 31
Proverbs 31:10-31
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
At first glance, this appears to be soft-spoken, mild mannered, home maker. She fulfills the duties of a good wife during the time period of what was necessary to maintain a household. However, she is much more than what is widely understood. She is a woman of valor, a woman of power, a business woman, in addition to being a mother and wife.
The Hebrew Translation of “virtuous” is actually “khah’·yil”, The true description is “who can find a khah’·yil Ishah” or “aishes chayil”? The term khah’·yil is actually a masculine word. Its’ meaning is associated with army (56x), man of valour (37x), host (29x), forces (14x), valiant (13x), strength (12x), riches (11x), wealth (10x), power (9x), substance (8x), might (6x), strong (5x).
This is a BUSINESS WOMAN whom her husband trusts to handle the affairs of the home. Her charge is to increase the wealth and well-being of the house hold. She understands Real Estate (Land) and how to make their family prosperous. Why were men looking for a woman like this? Is it because she is better at it? Let’s continue…
This woman works throughout the evening and demonstrates self-sacrifice for her household. She negotiates business with merchants (both men and women), because she knows her products are good. She demonstrates charity and love. But she is a powerhouse. She makes her Husband look good and he is recognized through HER goodwill and wisdom. This dispels any thoughts that the woman should not be conducting business or negotiating with the affairs of men. It is SHE who makes HIM known throughout the community. Her wisdom extends beyond quoting scriptures. She is knowledgeable about commerce and how to conduct business. Her words of kindness speaks to her negotiating prowess, and motivational speech. One could even say she could represent the greatest salesmen possible. Her attributes demonstrate a woman with work ethics, business prowess, charity, and selflessness. She tends to her home, as well as to others. Now that we have acknowledged this powerhouse Ezer Kenegdo, one should be asking “What was her husband actually doing?”.
Now certain Torah Filters will only allow a man to see a Virtuous Woman according to this one direct reference. That is a grave error. The virtuous woman is not limited solely to baring children, sowing, and cooking. She operates on many different levels that is necessary according to the condition of her time. In other words, she can be a real estate agent, a CEO, a Banker, a business owner or etc. The term Virtuous is not limited to the era of time in which commerce was conducted by sowing and field tending. It is representative of any hard-working woman who can properly increase the wealth of her family and attend to the affairs of her household at the exact same time. There is no cookie-cutter image of a woman. Therefore it becomes a disadvantage to compare one quality or talent against another. The Virtuous woman will operate virtuously according to the talents that she has been blessed with, and the needs of her spouse. When we start operating beyond the literal sense of the bible, and seek after the spiritual sense, we can begin to see the virtue in many women. Likewise women do not have to fill inferior or suffer from a lack of fulfillment because she is trying to be something that she is not. Let each man find his idea of the virtuous woman according to his own needs, and remove the over generalizations of that era and dispel doctrines that leave room for disappointment and possible failures within the relationship.