There are 22 verses consisted, beginning with verse 10 on the last part of Proverbs 31. In proper order each of these verses started with different letter of the Hebrews alphabet. To help someone to memorize scripture, some of the Psalms is found with this pattern in Hebrew alphabet like Psalm 119 where the are eight verses in each of 22 alphabetical sections. In Proverbs 31, each verse is divided into two parts in the Hebrew text. This two-part format is every verse of this Proverbs 31 except in verse 15 which was divided into three parts.

I – RARENESS OF THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN – Proverbs 31:10

A. Strength of Virtuous woman – v.10a

Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman?.”

The noun “virtuous” in the first part of verse 10, means strength, efficiency, ability. It talks about the strength of woman’s character, describing the moral strength and firmness of a woman.

We can also find this expression when Jethro the father-in law of Moses advised Moses that Moses was to look or shall select for “men of strength”, such as fear God, men of truth or trustworthy, and hate a bribe or hate dishonest gain. Exodus 18:21 “Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:” According to this verse, that virtuous man describes as man who fear God, loves the truth and hates sin. When Moses was told to select and find that able men or men of strength implies that such men were not easy to find.

This expression of a virtuous men of men of strength is also used in several passages:

1 Kings 1:42 “And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came; and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings.” (“valiant man” or “man of strength”). Adonijah speaks of Jonathan

1 Kings 1:52 “And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die.” (“worthy man” or “man of strength”). When Solomon testing Adonijah.

Notice the words of Solomon “if wickedness shall be found in him”, teaches us that the opposite of a virtuous man is a man of whom wickedness is found. So, we therefore conclude that a virtuous man is a man of great moral strength and in whom there is no wickedness found. A virtuous man is a godly, and God-fearing man.

The virtuous woman also is a God-fearing woman.

Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”

Proverbs 31:30 “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”.

The expression of virtuous woman or woman of strength was used in the Old Testament (beside Proverbs 31):

1. Ruth 3:11 “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.”

Boaz is telling Ruth that everyone in the city knew that Ruth was a virtuous woman or woman of excellence or worthy woman. When a woman fears God, loves truth, hates sin, that woman has a strength of moral character and that is why others will mark and recognize that character.

It is unavoidable that everyone one can obviously recognize the virtuous woman especially now a days that people are morally weak and lack in character, that when a man of strength and a woman of strength become visible or be revealed it is noticeable for all.

2. Proverbs 12:4 “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.”

According to this verse we learn that a virtuous woman does not do anything that can make her husband ashamed.

B. Significance of a Valuable woman – v.10b

Proverbs 31:10 “for her price is far above rubies.”

Virtuous woman is far more valuable than rubies. The Hebrew term “rubies” (mip·pe·ni·nim) translated “jewels” (NASB, ESV) may not refer to rubies, but this may refer to pink pearls or red coral. During ancient times a pink pearl was considered of great value and was found in a mollusk in the Red Sea. We do not know exactly which stone or pearl this Hebrew word (mip·pe·ni·nim) referred to, however the usage of the term in the Old Testament gives us two things to consider:

Two things about the usage of rubies in the Old Testament:

1. Cost - It was very valuable

Proverbs 20:15 “There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.”

Job 28:18 “No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.”

2. Color - It was reddish

Lamentations 4:7 “Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:”

The virtuous, worthy, excellent woman are so rare to find that is why this woman of strength is like a rare gem that was so precious and costly. If you could pick up easily hundreds of rubies anywhere you go and anytime you want, then it was considered worthy or valuable. It is the rare and hard to find gems that are so costly and have so much worth. God in His perfect design and purpose, did not made most common stones attractive, but God made most rare stones very beautiful, sparkling and glossy. The virtuous woman is a beautiful woman inwardly and not necessarily beautiful woman outwardly. The woman of strength, virtuous, excellent woman not only a rare gem but a very beautiful gem. Not only precious but inwardly pretty.

Proverbs 31:30 “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”.

If a woman who fear God, loves the truth and hates sin are very rare and very hard to find, the man who fear God, loves the truth and hates sin are also very rare and hard to find. The number one on the list of the endangered species is the “Homo sapiens pious”. We could no longer find for it is hard to see such creatures around, for there are only few exists and will eventually die, gone and disappear. May we pray to God raise up godly men.

Psalm 12:1 “Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.”

May God be more gracious and merciful to raise up godly men and godly women in these days in this world with full of weak moral character and where godly and faithful had vanished. The word “godly” comes from the latin “pious.”

How can a young man find a godly woman:

1. Trust God to find a woman for him. (God’s choice not own choice)

2. Realize that a virtuous woman is going to want to find virtuous man

Virtuous woman is not going to want just any man. In other words, if you want to find such a rare gem, you must be also a gem. You must exercise unto godliness, learn to fear the Lord, hate sins. Separate from the world and be transformed by renewing your mind.

Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Be the kind of a man that virtuous woman is going to want and would attract the interest of a virtuous woman.

The first part of verse 10 says, “Who can find a virtuous woman?” We learned that godly woman is very hard to find. The second part of verse 10 says, “for her price is far above rubies.” We learned that godly woman is more valuable than a rare gem.

The vast majority of women of today including Christian women is lacking an inner beauty, lacking strength in character and firm in morality.

II – RELIABILITY OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN – Proverbs 31:11

A. Reason why husband trusts Virtuous wife – v.11a

Proverbs 31:11a “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,”

Verse 11 says, husband doth safely trust in her”, this is not true for most husbands today. Husbands cannot trust their wives and often their wives cannot trust their husband. Trusting fully your marriage partner is one of the fundamental foundations of a strong God-honoring marriage. About his wife Martin Luther said, “The greatest gift of God is a pious amiable spouse, who fears God, loves his house, and with whom one can live in perfect confidence” [Proverbs, by Charles Bridges, page 620].

The noun “husband” in Hebrew (ba‘-lāh) from origin word “baal” is the common word for husband in the Old Testament which also means “owner” or “lord” (used of foreign gods or of the false god “Baal”).

Two reasons why the heart of the husband can trust his virtuous wife:

1. So that the husband shall have no need of spoil – Proverbs 31:11b

Proverbs 31:11b “so that he shall have no need of spoil.”

2. So that the wife shall do him good and not evil – Proverbs 31:12

Proverbs 31:12 “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”

B. Reason why husband no need of gain because of Virtuous wife – v.11b

Proverbs 31:11b “so that he shall have no need of spoil."

The imperfect verb “no need” or “no lack of gain” (NASB; ESV), is the Hebrew word (eḥ·sār) and the same expression found in Psalm 23:1 “I shall not want.” It means to have need, to be lacking. Both in Proverbs 31:11b “no need” and Psalm 23:1 “not want” both used negatively to not be in need and to no be lacking. The verse says that if the Lord is my shepherd, then I shall not be in need because the Lord will supply all my need. Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The same is true if I have a godly wife, I shall not be in need of spoil. Proverbs 31:11b “so that he shall have no need of spoil.”

The noun “spoil” is from Hebrew word (ve·sha·lal) from shalal which means plunder, booty, spoil (of war). It is often described when the victorious soldiers who won the battle would take valuable things from the defeated foes and by that way would gain riches from that battle. But of course, this does not mean that if his wife were not virtuous, the man would need to go engage in battle then kill the enemy and take of their spoil. No, it does not mean like that. The word of our text in verse 11 “spoil” (ve·sha·lal) have the secondary meaning of “gain” meaning dubious or under suspicious or questionable. So, to explain this, the husband shall “have no need of gain” (spoil), because his virtuous wife is a great benefit to the family, even in financial matter. His wife is not a financial liable as following verses illustrates. Actually, this virtuous woman manages the home so well and she is so industrious and productive that all her efforts results in great gain and is profitable.

Many families are suffering in big financial losses because of laziness and carelessness of some of today’s wives. Some wives often go on shopping unrestrained fun activities or incur large and vast amount of credit card or she spent long hours weekly wasting to engage in some activities that is not productive like television, and many others. It says in first part of our text in Proverbs 31:11a “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,” But how can the husband safely trust his wife? It says in the second part in Proverbs 31:11b “so that he shall have no need of spoil.” But how can the husband have no need of gain? If the wife destroys the family budget, considering all that she hast lost.

This wasteful attitude problem of spending unproductive activities, destroying the family budget is not limited to women but to men who are guilty to blame also.

III – REMAIN DOING GOOD OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN – Proverbs 31:12

A. Doers of the good – v.12a

Proverbs 31:12 “She will do him good and not evil.”

As we have learned in verse 11 that the husband trusted the virtuous woman because her wife is not financial liable so he does not need to worry. Beside, the husband knows that his wife will do only good thing to him and will never do him evil.

Proverbs 18:22 “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.”

The man must be careful in looking for the right kind of woman to be his wife. Avoid woman like the wife of Job who was a curse and only added to the trials that Job experienced.

Job 2:9-10 “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. ¹⁰But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”

When some men find a virtuous woman, they are crown to their head but when some men find not a virtuous woman who brings shame to his husband is like rottenness to the bones of men.

Proverbs 12:4 “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.”

Proverbs 31:10-31 was written to help and guide men in looking and selecting the right kind of wife. Others has said said that Proverbs 31:10-31 is a continuation of what the mother of King Lemuel taught him.

Proverbs 31:1-9 “The 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. ⁹Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” Thus, some theologians said that Proverbs 31:10-31 is a concluding description of a mother for an ideal wife for her son King Lemuel.

In looking for a right woman, you need first to look to the Lord in prayer and trust the Lord consistently, because the Lord is the one who will find that right woman for the man. God knows who will be and should be the life partner of each man.

Notice the verb “will do” or “does” (NASB; ESV) interestingly is not the common Hebrew verb for “do.” The Hebrew word here is (ge·ma·lat·hu) which means to deal out, to deal fully, to deal bountifully. The secondary meaning is “to recompense”, to repay, to reward.”

Illustration on how this word “will do him good” is used:

1. David rewarded good to Saul for doing evil to him.

David had spared the life of Saul even though he could easily kill Saul his persecutor that threatening his life. When Saul knew that David spared his life, he responded in I Samuel 24:17

1 Samuel 24:17 “And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.”

In spite that Saul plans and desires to do evil to David and therefore Saul deserved evil but David dealt with Saul in a good way, he desires or pay back, recompense, rewarded good to Saul who actually deserved evil.

2. Joseph pays back good to the evil his brother hath done to him.

Genesis 50:15,17 “And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. ¹⁶And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, ¹⁷So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.”

The Hebrew word (ge·ma·lat·hu) meaning is “to recompense”, to repay, to reward” is used here about the brothers of Joseph who were guilty as they remembered what they had done to Joseph. In spite that these brothers had done evil to Joseph, still Joseph did not recompense evil for evil for his brother who had done evil to him. Joseph recompense or pay back good to his brother who done evil to him. Joseph saw the goodness of God and God’s sovereign control and divine purpose over all that has happened.

Genesis 50:20 “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”

This verb “will do” in verse 12a is also used of the LORD who deals bountifully with his servants.

Psalm 13:6 “I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”

Psalm 116:7 “Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.”

Psalm 119:17 “Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.”

Psalm 142:7 “Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.”

The point of first part of verse 12, Proverbs 31:12 “She will do him good and not evil.” The virtuous woman deals out to her husband that which is good and not evil. This virtuous woman only wants and best for her husband. The life and deeds of this virtuous woman are a constant benefit and blessing to her husband.

B. Duration of doing good – v.12b

Proverbs 31:12b “all the days of her life.”

The virtuous woman is not inconsistent in doing good to her husband. This virtuous woman does not do good to her husband one day and do evil to her husband the next day. The husband of the virtuous woman was very sure enough that her virtuous wife will do him good and be a blessing to him. The husband of this virtuous woman can count on his excellent wife to good today, the next five days, next month, next year, ten years from now and all the days of her life. This worthy or excellent woman is not moody, or sometimes hot and cold, up and down, unpredictable emotion. There is a marked of consistency in the godliness of a virtuous woman.

IV – READINESS TO WORK OF THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN – Proverbs 31:13

A. Materials she sought – v.13a

Proverbs 31:13a “She seeketh wool, and flax.”

The wool refers here that the virtuous woman sought is the wavy or curly undercoat of a sheep which can be woven and serves as a warm garment. People in today still wear this wool sweater to protect them from cold.

Flax was fibrous plant used in the process of converting fibers into thread or yarn. In manufacturing of linen, the fibers can be drawn out and twisted into yarn. In Egypt, this famous flax was grown mostly. The linen of Egypt is much better and was incomparable than any linen. Now we know why the seventh plague in Egypt was so terrible and horrible. God judgment against Egypt involved hail stones mixed with fire that destroyed and damaged every herb of the field. That was a total devastation and among other things, the flax crop was severely affected.

Exodus 9:25 “And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.”

Variety of materials can be made from the flax mentioned in our text which includes coarse canvas or, rugged sails for ships and even the thin delicate scarves.

In our text the virtuous woman seeks the two basic materials in making clothes and garments, namely the wool and flax.

The word “seeketh” in Hebrew (dā·rə·šāh) which means select. It described this virtuous woman selects the best quality of wool and flax because this woman seeks with care or cares for the wool and flax. The word “seek” has the meaning of cares in Deuteronomy 11:12 “A land which the Lord thy God careth for:” (seeks!).

In summary, this virtuous woman carefully collects, gathers and cares for these two basic materials of wool and flax that she will use in making clothes and garments to her family or possibly also for others.

B. Motivated to work – v. 13b

Proverbs 31:13b “and worketh willingly with her hands.”

The word “willingly” in Hebrew (bə·ḥê·p̄eṣ) which means delight, good pleasure. She has that eagerness or great delight in her work. This virtuous woman finds his works enjoyable and pleasant instead of laborious and boring chore.

For this virtuous woman toiling or working hard need not to be tedious but hardworking can be a satisfaction and a great pleasure that is why she was motivated to work.

In our today modern world, we have the computerized, electronic and entertainment that saturated our family, community, country that we now have lost the art of working with our hands. But the second part of our text it says the virtuous woman willing to work with her hands. Majority of women in our generation are not willing to make clothes with their hands, but rather they delight going to shopping malls to purchase clothes and thus adversely affecting the budget of the family. It is sad to know that many children are too busy watching television or playing computer games or playing in cellphone games instead of learning from their mother how to sew, knit and crochet and mend. But more sadly to know that most of the mothers do not even know themselves how to sew, and knit and crochet that is why these mothers could not teach their children even though they wanted to teach them. My grandmother, my mother and even my wife knows how to sew and even crochet as they patiently spend countless hours knitting and crocheting and sewing, but these art of hand works are becoming a lost art. It is nice the see that mothers and wives who are not seamstresses may be able to exchange skills that they have for the skills of those women who know sewing. Sometimes it is more economical because it saves more time and saves more money in shopping for bargains than to buy patterns, material, zippers, etc. She can use her time and resources in the best way as wise as she can.

The second part of this verse 13 teaches us that this godly virtuous woman was motivated to willingly work with her hands, in providing clothing for her family and perhaps for others.