The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Planting” it comes from the Hebrew Word “nata” which means “to plant.”
This closing chapter celebrates the industrious, wise, and genuinely praiseworthy virtuous woman. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Proverbs 31.
King Lemuel recounts the instruction his mother taught him, warning against giving his strength to women, and his ways to that which destroys kings, warning against wine for kings, lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of the afflicted, urging instead that they open their mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction, judging righteously, and pleading the cause of the poor and needy.
The chapter turns to its famous celebration of the virtuous woman, asking who can find her, since her price is far above rubies, the heart of her husband safely trusting in her, so he shall have no need of spoil, describing how she does him good and not evil all the days of her life, seeking wool and flax, and working willingly with her hands, rising while it is yet night, giving food to her household, considering a field and buying it, with the fruit of her hands “planting,” “nata” in Hebrew, a vineyard.
The chapter describes this woman’s extraordinary industry and character in extensive detail, her strength and honor being her clothing, opening her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue being the law of kindness, looking well to the ways of her household, and not eating the bread of idleness, her children rising up and calling her blessed, her husband also praising her, declaring, “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all,” closing this entire book of Proverbs with its most memorable, enduring observation, “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised,” urging that she be given the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
This closing chapter’s extensive celebration of the virtuous woman, industrious, wise, generous, and strong, offers a comprehensive portrait of practical wisdom fully embodied in a real, active life rather than merely theoretical instruction alone. Its concluding declaration, that a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised, while charm and beauty prove deceptive and fleeting, fittingly closes this entire book by returning to its opening theme, that genuine reverence for God remains the true foundation for lasting worth and honor.
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