Proverbs 31:28

31:10-31 This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her. 1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good. 2. She is one that takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in them. She is careful to fill up time, that none be lost. She rises early. She applies herself to the business proper for her, to women's business. She does what she does, with all her power, and trifles not. 3. She makes what she does turn to good account by prudent management. Many undo themselves by buying, without considering whether they can afford it. She provides well for her house. She lays up for hereafter. 4. She looks well to the ways of her household, that she may oblige all to do their duty to God and one another, as well as to her. 5. She is intent upon giving as upon getting, and does it freely and cheerfully. 6. She is discreet and obliging; every word she says, shows she governs herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent measures herself, but gives prudent advice to others. The law of love and kindness is written in the heart, and shows itself in the tongue. Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy about this world. 7.

Above all, she fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God, nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceived many a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts for ever. 8. She has firmness to bear up under crosses and disappointments. She shall reflect with comfort when she comes to be old, that she was not idle or useless when young. She shall rejoice in a world to come. She is a great blessing to her relations. If the fruit be good, the tree must have our good word. But she leaves it to her own works to praise her. Every one ought to desire this honour that cometh from God; and according to this standard we all ought to regulate our judgments. This description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly beloved and respected, useful and honourable. This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be applied to the church of God, which is described as a virtuous spouse? God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellences here described.

Her children arise up,.... As olive plants around her table; grow up to maturity of age, and ripeness of judgment, and so capable of observing things, and doing the work here ascribed to them: or they rise up in reverence of her, and respect to her, suitable to the relation they stand in to her: or rather it signifies their readiness to show a regard unto her, and their setting about the work of commendation of her in earnest: or else their earliness in doing it; they rise in the morning, as Aben Ezra's note is; her lamp not being extinct in the night. Jarchi interprets these "children" of disciples; but they are to be understood of regenerate persons, young converts, born in Zion, and brought up by her; the children of that Jerusalem that is the mother of us all, Isaiah 54:1 ; and call her blessed; bless God for her, for such a mother, and wish themselves as happy as she is; they pray for her blessedness, peace, and prosperity, as all Zion's children should, Psalm 122:6; they pronounce her blessed, as well they may, since she is blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ; and so are all in her family that truly belong to her, her children and her servants, Psalm 84:4; see Sol 6:9; her husband also, and he praiseth her; that is, he is ready also to rise up and speak in her praise and commendation. Jarchi says this is the holy blessed God.

Christ is the church's husband, who is her Maker; See Gill on Proverbs 31:23; he praises her for her beauty, though she owes it all to him; for her comely parts and gracefulness, which he describes with wonder; for her dress, her garments, though they are his own; for her faith, love, humility, and other graces, though they are his gifts; see Sol 1:8.

Proverbs 31:28 . Her children arise up — Whose testimony is the more considerable, because they have been constant eye-witnesses of her whole conduct, and, therefore, must have seen her misdemeanours, if there had been any, as well as her virtues; and call her blessed — Both for her own excellences, and for many happy fruits which they have gathered from her wise and godly education of them. Her husband also — Ariseth to bear witness to her excellence; and he praiseth her — Namely, in the following words.

Her children; whose testimony is the more considerable, because they have been constant eye-witnesses of her whole carriage, and therefore must have seen her misdemeanours, if there had been any, as well as her virtues. Arise up; either, 1. In token of reverence to her, which agrees not to the following clause, wherein the same phrase is understood concerning her husband. Or rather, 2. That they may seriously and industriously apply themselves to the work of setting forth her praises, as this phrase is used, Genesis 37:25 Exodus 2:17 , and oft elsewhere. For sitting being commonly the posture of idleness, men that set about any work are said to rise in order thereunto. Call her blessed, both for her own excellency, and for many happy fruits which they have gathered from her wise and godly education. He praiseth her, in the following words.

Law of kindness - The words which come from the lips of the true wife are as a law giving guidance and instruction to those that hear them; but the law is not proclaimed in its sterner aspects, but as one in which "mercy tempers justice," and love, the fulfilling of the law, is seen to be the source from which it springs.

Verse 28. - KUPH. Her children arise up, and call her blessed. She is a fruitful mother of children, who, seeing her sedulity and prudence, and experiencing her affectionate care, celebrate and praise her, and own that she has rightly won the blessing of the Lord. Her husband also, and he praiseth her ; in the words given in the next verse. Having the approbation of her husband and children, who know her best, and have the best opportunities of judging her conduct, she is contented and happy. Septuagint, "Her mercy ( ἐλεημοσύνη ) raises up her children, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her." Proverbs 31:28

Now begins the finale of this song in praise of the virtuous woman: 28 ק Her sons rise up and bless her, Her husband (riseth up) and praiseth her. The Piel אשּׁר in such a connection is denom. of אשׁר (אשׁרי). Her children rise up (קוּם, like e.g., Jeremiah 26:17, but here, perhaps, with the associated idea of reverential honour) and bless her, that she has on her part brought the house and them to such prosperity, such a position of respect, and to a state where love (חסד) reigns, and her husband rises up and sings her praise.

[Bible] 31:19. She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle. 31:20. She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor. 31:21. She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments. 31:22. She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple, is her covering. 31:23. Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land. 31:24. She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite. The Chanaanite... The merchant, for Chanaanite, in Hebrew, signifies a merchant. 31:25. Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day. 31:26. She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue. 31:27. She hath looked well on the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle. 31:28. Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her. 31:29. Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all. 31:30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. 31:31. Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates. ECCLESIASTES This Book is called Ecclesiastes, or The Preacher, (in Hebrew, Coheleth,) because in it, Solomon, as an excellent preacher, setteth forth the vanity of the things of this world: to withdraw the hearts and affections of men from such empty toys. Ecclesiastes Chapter 1 The vanity of all temporal things. 1:1. The words of Ecclesiastes, the son of David, king of Jerusalem. 1:2. Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes: vanity of vanities, and all is vanity. 1:3. What hath a man more of all his labour, that he taketh under the sun? 1:4. One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth standeth for ever. 1:5. The sun riseth, and goeth down, and returneth to his place: and there rising again,