Proverbs 31

Sid, hello, ovr there in Crobin, Ky. I'm way over here in Horse Cave (Hart county).

 

Heres the next part, not sure anyone wants to continue this, but I enjoy learning with you and from you about our role as women.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.

Strong's

v. 16
considers 2161 = A primitive root; to plan, usually in a bad sense:-consider, devise, imagine, plot, purpose, think (evil).
field 7704 = From an unused root meaning to spread out; a field (as flat):-country, field, ground, land, soil, X wild.

v. 17
girds 2296 = A primitive root; to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.):-be able to put on, be afraid, appointed, gird, restrain, X on every side.
strength 5797 = strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise):-boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong.
strengthens 553 = A primitive root; to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage):-confirm, be courageous (of good courage, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger), establish, fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen (self), make strong (obstinate, speed).
v. 19
distaff also translated spindle in KJV 3787 = the spindle or shank of a distaff (H6418) by which it is twirled:-spindle.
to be round; a circuit (that is, district); also a spindle (as whirled); hence a crutch:-(di-) staff, part.


Adam Calrk's commentary on the O.T.
v. 16 She provides for the growing wants of her family. More land will shortly be needed, for the family is growing up; and having seen a field contiguous to her own, which was on sale, she estimates its worth, and purchases it a good bargain; and she pays for it by the fruit of her own industry.
She does not restrict herself to the bare necessaries of life; she is able to procure some of its comforts. She plants a vineyard, that she may have wine for a beverage, for medicine, and for sacrifice. This also is procured of her own labor. Whatever goes out brings its worth in; and barter, not buying, is her chief mode of traffic.
v. 17 She takes care of her own health and strength, not only by means of useful labor, but by healthy exercise. She avoids what might enervate her body, or soften her mind-she is ever active, and girt ready for every necessary exercise. Her loins are firm, and her arms strong.
v.18 . She takes care to manufacture the best articles of the kind, and to lay on a reasonable price that she may secure a ready sale. Her goods are in high repute, and she knows she can sell as much as she can make. And she finds that while she pleases her customers, she increases her own profits.
She is watchful and careful. Her candle-her lamp, burns all night, which is of great advantage in case of sudden alarms; and in the times and places where there were so many banditti, this was a very necessary family regulation. Perhaps some works were carried on during the night, those employed sleeping in the daytime. Thus labor never stood still; whilst some slept, others worked. This was no unusual thing in ancient times; and it prevails now; but alas! little children are often thus employed to help to support their indigent parents, and to fill the coffers of their unfeeling taskmasters.
v.19 She gives an example of skill and industry to her household. She takes the
distaff, that on which the wool or flax was rolled; and the spindle, that by
twisting of which she twisted the thread with the right hand, while she held the
distaff in the guard of the left arm, and drew down the thread with the fingers of
the left hand. Allowing that spindle and distaff are proper translations of øåùéë
kishor, and êìô pelech, this was their use, and the way in which they were
used. The spindle and distaff are the most ancient of all the instruments used for
spinning, or making thread. The spinning-wheel superseded them in these
countries; but still they were in considerable use till spinning machinery
superseded both them and the spinning-wheels in general.

Any thoughts and ideas?

 

Thanks Helen for that story. We used to have wood heat too. My husband grew up with it, and I did(city girl from Chicago), so he always took care of it, I could never keep the fire going. It was so cold, it would get like zero or below, and we froze, could only heat one room. All we had was a little stove, not really meant for a whole house I think.

I haven't made much comments as of yet, but I do have some thoughts.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard

I think she has finical wisdom, knows how to take care of her families finances. Manages her home.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.


Seems shes a handy girl to have around. Apparently she makes things to sell. Which I think means she is able to work at home, and yet earn a few dollars. She stays busy.

Just some thoughts, I think the comments I get from you all is much better, so I don't say much.

 

I'll try to get to posting more this week, but can't be sure how the week is going to go. My car is going on 2 weeks of illness,going to cost about $500. my son goes for fianl sentencing on Tuesday.

 

Sorry this has taken so long. This has been very interesting, and I continue to look forward to your comments.

20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.


v. 20
strong's
poor 6041=depressed, in mind or circumstances-afflicted, humble`, lowly`, needy, poor.

v. 21
strong's
coverings 4765= a coverlet:-covering of tapestry.
v23
strong's
elders 2205= old:-aged, ancient (man), elder (-est), old (man, men and . . . women), senator.

v. 24
strong's
makes 6213= A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application:-accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit,

sashes/girdles 2290= a belt (for the waist):-apron, armour, gird

Easton'e Bible Dictionary
Wife
The ordinance of marriage was sanctioned in Paradise (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6). Monogamy was the original law under which man lived, but polygamy early commenced (Gen. 4:19), and continued to prevail all down through Jewish history. The law of Moses regulated but did not prohibit polygamy. A man might have a plurality of wives, but a wife could have only one husband.
A wife’s legal rights (Ex. 21:10) and her duties (Prov. 31:10-31; 1 Tim. 5:14) are specified. She could be divorced in special cases (Deut. 22:13-21), but could not divorce her husband. Divorce was restricted by our Lord to the single case of adultery (Matt. 19:3-9). The duties of husbands and wives in their relations to each other are distinctly set forth in the New Testament (1 Cor. 7:2-5; Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18, 19; 1 Pet. 3:1-7).


Adam Clark's Commentary of the O.T.
v.20
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor—
11. She is truly charitable. She knows that in every portion of a man’s gain
God requires a lot for the poor; and if this is not given, God’s blessing is not in
the rest. And she is not contented to give common alms. While with one hand
she relieves the general poor, with both hands she
gives to the needy, to the afflicted poor.

v. 21
She is not afraid of the snow—
12. She is not anxious relative to the health and comfort of her family in the
winter season, having provided clothes sufficient for each in the cold weather, in
addition to those which they wore in the warm season.
For all her household are clothed with scarlet—Not scarlet, for the color can
avail nothing in keeping off the cold; nor would it be a proper color for the bogs
and dirt of winter. But to iterate, to double,
signifies not only scarlet, so called from being twice or doubly dyed, but also
double garments, not only the ordinary coat but the surtout or great-coat also, or a
cloak to cover all. But most probably double garments, or twofold to what they
were accustomed to wear, are here intended. If the general clothing be intended,
scarlet cannot be the meaning, nor did our translators entirely rely on it; and
therefore put double garments, the true meaning, in the margin, from which it
cannot be too speedily transferred to the text. The Vulgate has “duplicibus.” And
my old MS. very properly, Alle forsoth hir hoomli men, ben clothid with double.
And Coverdale, with equal propriety, “For all hir householde folkes are duble
clothed.” But if her husband and children alone are referred to, scarlet, which in
the general meaning of the term, may be proper enough; as even in these
countries of ours, scarlet, as being a lively bright color, is used in the winter
dresses.

v. 22
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry—
13. She is not regardless either of her own person, or of the decent, proper
appearance of her presses and wardrobe. She has coverings or carpeting for her
guests to sit upon; she has also tapestry, either tapestry,
carpeting, or quilted work for her beds; and her own clothing is fine
flax, or linen cloth, and purple; probably for a cloak or mantle. The fine linen or
cotton cloth of Egypt is probably intended. I have often seen it wrapping the
bodies of mummies; it is something like our coarse calico. The purple was
supposed to have been dyed by a precious liquor obtained from the pinna magna,
a large shellfish, of the muscle kind, found on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
I have seen some of them nearly two feet in length. But it is a doubt whether any
such liquor was ever obtained from this or any other fish; and the story itself is
invented merely to hide the secret, the proper method of dying purple; which was
kept so well that it certainly died with the ancients.

v. 23
Her husband is known in the gates-
14. She is a loving wife, and feels for the respectability and honor of her husband. He is an elder among his people, and he sits as a magistrate in the gate. He is respected not only on account of the neatness and cleanliness of his person and dress, but because he is the husband of a woman who is justly held in universal esteem. And her complete management of household affairs gives him full leisure to devote himself to the civil interests of the community.

v. 24
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it—
15. She is here remarkable for carrying on a traffic of splendid and ornamental
dresses, or habits, as she is, verse 13, for “a coarser manufacture,” is supposed to come from the Arabic; and to signify a kind of loose inner
garment, shirt, chemise, or fine muslin covering. Some of these are so
exceedingly fine, like the abrooam, that when spread on the grass, they are
scarcely discernible. Some such garments as these are still worn by ladies in
India and in China, and are so thin and transparent, that every part of the body
may be seen through them. I have many representations of persons clothed in this
way before me both of the Chinese, the Hindoo, and the Malabar ladies. Probably
this eminent Jewish matron had such articles manufactured in her own house. She
dealt also in girdles. These are still a very general and very expensive article of
dress. I have seen them made of silk, and highly ornamented with gold and silver
thread, worked into flowers and various curious devices. The loose Eastern robe
is confined by these; and the word may also take in the shawl of the turban,
which is often superb and costly. It is properly the girdle for the head. As these
were generally woven, the consumption was great; and an able artist must have
had a good trade.
The Arabic gives a remarkable translation of this verse: “She maketh towels,
(or tablecloths), and sells them to the inhabitants of Basra, (a city in
Mesopotamia), and fine linens, and sells them to the Canaanites.” My old MS.
Bible has, Sandel sche made and sold, and a litil girdil sche toke to Chanane.
Perhaps for the merchant, may stand here for the Canaanites.