The big picture
Proverbs 31 opens in verse 1 with “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 16 with “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a…”, and closes in verse 31 with “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Repeated or prominent terms include hands, drink, household, husband, kings. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Proverbs · King James Version · 31Proverbs 31:1-8
1–8: The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
Proverbs 31:1–8 opens with “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.” and reaches “Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A mother instructing a king to avoid corrupt power and defend those who cannot speak for themselves; A capable woman planning, trading, producing, feeding, giving, teaching, and caring for her household and community, with particular weight carried by drink, kings, forget.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
Proverbs 31:1-8
King James Version1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Proverbs 31:9-16
9–16: Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and…
Proverbs 31:9–16 opens with “Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” and reaches “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A mother instructing a king to avoid corrupt power and defend those who cannot speak for themselves; A capable woman planning, trading, producing, feeding, giving, teaching, and caring for her household and community, with particular weight carried by hands, afar, bringeth.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
Proverbs 31:9-16
King James Version9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:17-24
17–24: She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Proverbs 31:17–24 opens with “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” and reaches “She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A mother instructing a king to avoid corrupt power and defend those who cannot speak for themselves; A capable woman planning, trading, producing, feeding, giving, teaching, and caring for her household and community, with particular weight carried by hands, household, maketh.
Context that brings the passage to life
“She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” Naming She keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Proverbs 31:17-24
King James Version17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Proverbs 31:25-31
25–31: Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to…
Proverbs 31:25–31 opens with “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” and reaches “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on A mother instructing a king to avoid corrupt power and defend those who cannot speak for themselves; A capable woman planning, trading, producing, feeding, giving, teaching, and caring for her household and community, with particular weight carried by arise, beauty, blessed.
Proverbs 31:25-31
King James Version25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD , she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Proverbs 31:1 begins with “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.”
Where the chapter turns
Proverbs 31:10 forms a natural hinge: “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”
The final note
Proverbs 31:31 leaves the reader with “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words hands, drink, household, husband, kings, mouth help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Why do Rachel and Leah agree to leave?
They see themselves as alienated from their father's household and support the journey God has commanded.
What does the boundary accomplish?
It limits hostile crossing and places their future conduct under divine witness.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- doth
- does
- lest
- so that something does not happen
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.