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Proverbs 31:13

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31:13She obtains32 wool and flax,

and she is pleased to work with her hands.33

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Footnotes

  1. 32 The first word of the fourth line begins with דּ (dalet) the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The verb דָרַשׁ (darash) means “to seek; to inquire; to investigate.” The idea is that she looks for the wool and flax to do her work, but the whole verse assumes she has obtained it. This verb also occurs in the hymn of Ps 111, which says in v. 2 that “the works of the Lord are searched.” One word used in another passage is not that significant; but the cumulative effect of words and ideas suggest that the composition of this poem is influenced by hymnology.
  2. 33 Heb “and she works in the pleasure of her hands.” The noun חֵפֶץ (khefets) means “delight; pleasure.” suggests it means here “that in which one takes pleasure,” i.e., a business, and translates the line “in the business of her hands” ( 343 4). But that translation reduces the emphasis on pleasure and could have easily been expressed in other ways. Here it is part of the construct relationship. The “hands” are the metonymy of cause, representing all her skills and activities in making things. It is also a genitive of specification, making “pleasure” the modifier of “her hands/her working.” She does her work with pleasure. has, “she works with her hands in accordance with her pleasure.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

She seeks wool and flax,

and works with willing hands.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

She selects wool and flax

and works with willing hands.

NLTNew Living Translation

She finds wool and flax

and busily spins it.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

She seeks wool and flax,

and she works with the diligence of her hands.

KJV 1900King James Version

She seeketh wool, and flax,

And worketh willingly with her hands.