31:1 Lemuel, the king Lemuel means “belonging to God.” This is the only mention of King Lemuel in the Bible.

31:3 strength The Hebrew word used here, chayil, is the same term used to describe the wife in v. 10. Here it emphasizes virility or energy.

31:4 drinking wine is not for the kings Not an absolute prohibition, since wine was a staple of normal diets and royal banquets. Proverbs condemns drunkenness (Prov 21:17; 23:29–35), a particular liability in a ruler responsible for maintaining law and order.

Acrostic Psalms

31:10 A woman of excellence This Hebrew phrase, esheth chayil, is also used to describe Ruth (Ruth 3:11), who fits many of the characteristics of the idea wife described in this section. She was hard-working and took initiative (Ruth 2:2), and she was praised in the gates (Ruth 4:11). The word chayil can also indicate strength (Prov 31:3), wealth (Gen 34:29), or courage (1 Sam 16:18).

31:13 She seeks wool and flax The excellent wife has skill with a variety of materials used to make linen—this would have been a highly valued skill in the ancient Near East (Prov 31:21–22, 24). Flax is a plant that would be dried (see Josh 2:6) and spun into linen. Wool, which comes from sheep, was spun into yarn (Exod 35:25).

31:17 She girds her waist in strength She has physical strength and stamina and is prepared to work hard.

31:19 Her hands she puts onto the distaff The distaff and spindle were tools used to make linen, which the excellent wife used to make clothing for her household (Prov 31:21–22) and to sell for profit (v. 24).

31:21 is clothed in crimson Expensive material typically worn by the wealthy (2 Sam 1:24; Isa 1:18; Jer 4:30). She provides clothes that are both luxurious and warm.

31:23 Her husband is known at the gates City gates were the social and economic hub of the city. The elders were the leaders responsible for legal rulings (see note on Ruth 4:1). The husband of the excellent wife was known and respected among the leaders of the town. Job describes how he was respected by all at the city gate before his suffering (Job 29:7–11).

31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing While the excellent wife produces clothing from fine linen (Prov 31:22), she is better known for her character.

31:30 is vain The Hebrew word used here, hevel, is used figuratively to describe things that are brief and transitory (see Eccl 1:2 and note). Here, it speaks to the fleeting nature of physical beauty.

but a woman who fears Yahweh More than her charm or beauty, the excellent wife is characterized by her fear of Yahweh. This pious attitude of obedience toward God is closely related to wisdom in Proverbs (Prov 1:7; 2:5; 9:10; 15:33).

Fearing God in the Old Testament

31:31 may they praise her works in the city gates Just as her husband is known in the gates (see v. 23), the works of an excellent wife should be known and praised by the people.