The “wife of noble character” does it all.
Then, beginning with verse 10 and ending at verse 37, the epilogue wraps up the book as an acrostic poem using all the letters in the Hebrew alphabet, ultimately proclaiming the great value of this selfless, hardworking, compassionate, virtuous, strong, and kind superwoman - the sort of person we all should strive to emulate. Proverbs 31 begins with the “Sayings of King Lemuel” (verses 1-9), encouraging leaders to resist promiscuity and drunkenness while doing all they can to advocate and care for the poor, needy, and those who cannot speak for themselves. Solomon was the son of King David, third king of Israel, and builder of God’s First Temple in Jerusalem. Proverbs is thought to have been written by King Solomon and other wise men, intended for the people of Israel and penned primarily during Solomon’s reign (970–930 BC). She is more precious than rubies nothing you desire can compare with her.”Īnd finally, in chapter 31, the book ends with this epilogue about the “wife of noble character,” once again extolling the virtues of wisdom, comparing her to a superwoman so magnificent one can scarcely imagine. 3:14-15, wisdom is described as “more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. Throughout Proverbs, wisdom is presented as a woman - one who “raises her voice in the public square” ( Proverbs 1:20) or who “has built her house she has set up its seven pillars” ( Proverbs 9:1). Proverbs 31 is the last chapter of this book, also known as the “book of wisdom.” The book begins by noting it was written “for gaining wisdom and instruction” ( Proverbs 1:2). This “wife of noble character” is valuable, precious, rare, and highly desirable. Rubies - then, as now - are one of the most precious gemstones, mentioned throughout Scripture and even adorning the foundational walls of New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:20.
As well, by noting she is worth far more than rubies tells us she is extraordinarily valuable. The word translated as “wife” is actually the Hebrew word issa or ishah, which means woman, usually a wife or a woman of some importance.īy asking who can find this “wife of noble character” implies this woman is a rarity. In Judges 6:12, hayil is the same word used to describe the Israelite judge Gideon, yet in that passage it is translated to mean “mighty” in English instead of “noble.” This is no delicate woman but a warrior of sorts, brave and capable. First, let’s take a look at the word “noble.” The original Hebrew for this word is hayil, meaning having valor or strength, or being courageous and strong.
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