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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />A wife of noble character is her husband&#8217s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A virtuous woman <i>is</i> a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed <i>is</i> as rottenness in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />An excellent wife <i>is</i> the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame <i>is</i> like rottenness in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames <i>him</i> is like rottenness in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who shames <i>him</i> is as rottenness in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A virtuous <i>and</i> excellent wife [worthy of honor] is the crown of her husband, But she who shames him [with her foolishness] is like rottenness in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a wife who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A capable wife is her husband&#8217s crown, but a wife who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A worthy woman is the crown of her husband; But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />A helpful wife is a jewel for her husband, but a shameless wife will make his bones rot. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A wife with strength of character is the crown of her husband, but the wife who disgraces him is like bone cancer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />A good wife is her husband's pride and joy; but a wife who brings shame on her husband is like a cancer in his bones. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband, but a wife who puts him to shame is like bone cancer. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wife of noble character is her husband?s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A noble wife is the crown of her husband, but the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband, "" And as rottenness in his bones [is] one causing shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband, And as rottenness in his bones is one causing shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A woman of strength is a crown to her husband: and she causing shame, as rottenness in his bones.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A diligent woman is a crown to her husband: and she that doth things worthy of confusion, is a rottenness in his bones. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />A diligent woman is a crown to her husband. And she who acts with confusion as to which things are worthy is decay to his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A woman of worth is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful one is like rot in his bones. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />A good wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />A virtuous wife is a crown to her husband; but a wife who does evil destroys her husband like a boring-worm, and like a termite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A valiant wife is the crown of her husband, and as a boring worm, and a worm in wood, the woman that does evil things destroys a husband.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; But she that doeth shamefully is as rottenness in his bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but as a worm in wood, so a bad woman destroys her husband.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/12-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=2162" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/12.htm">Loving Discipline and Knowledge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’ê·šeṯ- (N-fsc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">A wife</a> <a href="/hebrew/2428.htm" title="2428: ḥa·yil (N-ms) -- From chuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.">of noble character</a> <a href="/hebrew/1167.htm" title="1167: ba‘·lāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Owner, lord. From ba'al; a master; hence, a husband, or owner.">is her husband’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/5850.htm" title="5850: ‘ă·ṭe·reṯ (N-fsc) -- A crown, wreath. From atar; a crown.">crown,</a> <a href="/hebrew/954.htm" title="954: mə·ḇî·šāh (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-fs) -- To be ashamed. A primitive root; properly, to pale, i.e. By implication to be ashamed; also to be disappointed or delayed.">but she who causes shame</a> <a href="/hebrew/7538.htm" title="7538: ū·ḵə·rā·qāḇ (Conj-w, Prep-k:: N-ms) -- Rottenness, decay. From raqab; decay.">is like decay</a> <a href="/hebrew/6106.htm" title="6106: bə·‘aṣ·mō·w·ṯāw (Prep-b:: N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Bone, substance, self. From atsam; a bone; by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. Selfsame.">in his bones.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10-31</a></span><br />A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm">Ephesians 5:22-33</a></span><br />Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. / For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">1 Peter 3:1-7</a></span><br />Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. / Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-14.htm">Proverbs 19:14</a></span><br />Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-7.htm">1 Corinthians 11:7-12</a></span><br />A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. / For man did not come from woman, but woman from man. / Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Genesis 2:18-24</a></span><br />The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.” / And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and He brought them to the man to see what he would name each one. And whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. / The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-18.htm">Colossians 3:18-19</a></span><br />Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. / Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/3-11.htm">1 Timothy 3:11</a></span><br />In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/2-3.htm">Titus 2:3-5</a></span><br />Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good. / In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, / to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-22.htm">Proverbs 18:22</a></span><br />He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-2.htm">1 Corinthians 7:2-5</a></span><br />But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. / The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. / The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/3-11.htm">Ruth 3:11</a></span><br />And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/songs/4-7.htm">Song of Solomon 4:7-10</a></span><br />You are altogether beautiful, my darling; in you there is no flaw. / Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, come with me from Lebanon! Descend from the peak of Amana, from the summits of Senir and Hermon, from the dens of the lions, from the mountains of the leopards. / You have captured my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your neck. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-3.htm">1 Samuel 25:3</a></span><br />His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:9</a></span><br />Enjoy life with your beloved wife all the days of the fleeting life that God has given you under the sun—all your fleeting days. For this is your portion in life and in your labor under the sun.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.</p><p class="hdg">virtuous</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/14-1.htm">Proverbs 14:1</a></b></br> Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Proverbs 19:13,14</a></b></br> A foolish son <i>is</i> the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife <i>are</i> a continual dropping… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10-25</a></b></br> Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price <i>is</i> far above rubies… </p><p class="hdg">she</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">Proverbs 21:9,19</a></b></br> <i>It is</i> better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/27-15.htm">Proverbs 27:15,16</a></b></br> A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike… </p><p class="hdg">as</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/14-30.htm">Proverbs 14:30</a></b></br> A sound heart <i>is</i> the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/habakkuk/3-16.htm">Habakkuk 3:16</a></b></br> When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/129-5.htm">Ashamed</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-30.htm">Behaviour</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-8.htm">Bones</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-17.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Character</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-6.htm">Crown</a> <a href="/psalms/49-14.htm">Decay</a> <a href="/psalms/106-30.htm">Disease</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-5.htm">Disgraceful</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-6.htm">Excellent</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-2.htm">Good</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-19.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-34.htm">Husband's</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-5.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-16.htm">Noble</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-16.htm">Rottenness</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-16.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-5.htm">Shamefully</a> <a href="/jude/1-13.htm">Shames</a> <a href="/psalms/7-8.htm">Virtue</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-52.htm">Virtuous</a> <a href="/psalms/106-15.htm">Wasting</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-5.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-6.htm">Worthy</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/1-29.htm">Ashamed</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-15.htm">Behaviour</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-30.htm">Bones</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-26.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-35.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Character</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-24.htm">Crown</a> <a href="/acts/2-27.htm">Decay</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-30.htm">Disease</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-2.htm">Disgraceful</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-26.htm">Excellent</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-8.htm">Good</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-23.htm">Husband</a> <a href="/john/1-13.htm">Husband's</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-25.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-7.htm">Noble</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-30.htm">Rottenness</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-16.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-5.htm">Shamefully</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-8.htm">Shames</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Virtue</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Virtuous</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-16.htm">Wasting</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-22.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Worthy</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/12-1.htm">Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown</b><br>In ancient Israel, a "wife of noble character" was highly esteemed, reflecting the virtues of wisdom, diligence, and moral integrity. The term "noble character" aligns with the description of the virtuous woman in <a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10-31</a>, who is industrious, wise, and fears the Lord. The imagery of a "crown" signifies honor and glory, suggesting that a virtuous wife enhances her husband's reputation and standing in the community. This metaphor reflects the cultural importance of family honor in biblical times, where a wife's character could significantly impact her husband's social and economic status. The crown also symbolizes authority and leadership, indicating that a noble wife supports and elevates her husband's role as the head of the household.<p><b>but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones</b><br>The contrast here highlights the destructive impact of a wife who brings shame, which in biblical terms often refers to actions that are morally or socially disgraceful. Such behavior could include infidelity, gossip, or neglect of family duties, which would undermine the husband's reputation and household stability. The phrase "decay in his bones" evokes a sense of internal, pervasive harm, much like a disease that weakens from within. This imagery underscores the profound and lasting damage that shameful conduct can inflict on a marriage and family. In the cultural context of the Bible, where family honor was paramount, a wife's shameful actions could lead to social ostracism and personal distress. This proverb serves as a warning about the potential consequences of failing to uphold moral and social responsibilities within the family unit.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/w/wife_of_noble_character.htm">Wife of Noble Character</a></b><br>This refers to a woman who embodies virtues such as integrity, strength, and moral excellence. In the context of ancient Israel, a noble wife was highly esteemed and considered a blessing to her household.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/husband.htm">Husband</a></b><br>The husband is the recipient of the benefits or consequences of his wife's character. In the cultural context of Proverbs, the husband is the head of the household and his reputation is closely tied to that of his wife.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/crown.htm">Crown</a></b><br>Symbolically, a crown represents honor, glory, and authority. A noble wife enhances her husband's status and reputation, much like a crown enhances the appearance of a king.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/decay_in_his_bones.htm">Decay in His Bones</a></b><br>This metaphor suggests deep, internal suffering and weakness. A wife who causes shame brings distress and dishonor to her husband, affecting him profoundly.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_noble_character.htm">The Value of Noble Character</a></b><br>A noble character is invaluable and brings honor to both the individual and their family. Strive to cultivate virtues that reflect God's character.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_relationships.htm">The Impact of Relationships</a></b><br>The character of a spouse can significantly impact the well-being and reputation of the other. Choose relationships wisely and invest in building each other up.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_influence.htm">The Power of Influence</a></b><br>A wife has the power to either uplift or bring down her husband. Recognize the influence you have in your relationships and use it to encourage and support.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_shame.htm">The Consequences of Shame</a></b><br>Causing shame can lead to deep emotional and relational damage. Be mindful of your actions and words, seeking to build rather than destroy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pursuing_godly_wisdom.htm">Pursuing Godly Wisdom</a></b><br>Seek wisdom from God to develop a noble character. Regularly engage with Scripture and prayer to align your life with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_proverbs_12_4_with_exodus_21.htm">Proverbs 12:4 extols a virtuous wife, but how can we reconcile this with other biblical passages portraying women as subordinate or property (e.g., Exodus 21)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_a_shameful_wife_mean.htm">What does a shameful wife symbolize for her husband?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_makes_a_virtuous_woman_a_crown.htm">What signifies a virtuous woman as her husband's crown?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_rain.htm">What signifies a virtuous woman as her husband's crown?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">A virtuous woman.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">of power, i.e., </span>of ability and character, like the wife described in Proverbs 31, or the "able" men of <a href="/exodus/18-21.htm" title="Moreover you shall 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:">Exodus 18:21</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A virtuous woman;</span> one whose portrait is beautifully traced in ch. 31. The term is applied to Ruth (<a href="/ruth/3-11.htm">Ruth 3:11</a>). The Vulgate renders, <span class="accented">diligens</span>; Septuagint, <span class="greek">ἀνδρεία</span>. The expression means one of power either in mind or body, or both. The same idea is contained in <span class="greek">ἀρετὴ</span> and <span class="accented">virtus.</span> Such a woman is not simply loving and modest and loyal, but is <span class="cmt_word">a crown to her husband;</span> is an honour to him, adorns and beautifies his life, making, as it were, a joyous festival. So St. Paul (<a href="/1_thessalonians/2-19.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:19</a>) calls his converts "a crown of glorying." The allusion is to the crown worn by the bridegroom at his marriage, or to the garlands worn at feasts (comp. <a href="/songs/3-11.htm">Song of Solomon 3:11</a>; <a href="/isaiah/61-10.htm">Isaiah 61:10</a>; Wisd. 2:8). The Son of Sirach has much praise for the virtuous woman: "Blessed is the man that hath a good (<span class="greek">ἀγαθῆς</span>) wife, for the number of his days shall be double. A virtuous (<span class="greek">ἀνδρεία</span>) woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace" (Ecclus. 26:1, 2). <span class="cmt_word">She that maketh ashamed;</span> "that doeth shamefully" (<a href="/proverbs/10-5.htm">Proverbs 10:5</a>; <a href="/proverbs/19-26.htm">Proverbs 19:26</a>); one who is a terrible contrast to the woman of strong character - weak, indolent, immodest, wasteful. <span class="cmt_word">Is as rottenness in his bones</span> (<a href="/proverbs/14-30.htm">Proverbs 14:30</a>; <a href="/habakkuk/3-16.htm">Habakkuk 3:16</a>). Such a wife poisons her husband's life, deprives him of strength and vigour; though she is made "bone of his bones, and flesh of his flesh" (<a href="/genesis/2-23.htm">Genesis 2:23</a>), far from being a helpmate for him, she saps his very existence. Septuagint, "As a worm in a tree, so an evil woman destroyeth a man." Here again Siracides has much to say, "A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh an heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress maketh weak hands and feeble knees" (Ecclus. 25:23). Thus runs a Spanish maxim (Kelly, 'Proverbs of All Nations') - <p><span class="accented">"Him that has a good wife no evil in life<br />that may not be borne can befall;<br />Him that has a bad wife no good thing in life<br />that chance to, that good you may call."</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/12-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">A wife</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵֽשֶׁת־</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·šeṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of noble character</span><br /><span class="heb">חַ֭יִל</span> <span class="translit">(ḥa·yil)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2428.htm">Strong's 2428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is her husband’s</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּעְלָ֑הּ</span> <span class="translit">(ba‘·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1167.htm">Strong's 1167: </a> </span><span class="str2">A master, a husband, owner</span><br /><br /><span class="word">crown,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲטֶ֣רֶת</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ṭe·reṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5850.htm">Strong's 5850: </a> </span><span class="str2">A crown, wreath</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but she who causes shame</span><br /><span class="heb">מְבִישָֽׁה׃</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḇî·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_954.htm">Strong's 954: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is like decay</span><br /><span class="heb">וּכְרָקָ֖ב</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḵə·rā·qāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7538.htm">Strong's 7538: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rottenness, decay</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in his bones.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעַצְמוֹתָ֣יו</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘aṣ·mō·w·ṯāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6106.htm">Strong's 6106: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/12-4.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 12:4 A worthy woman is the crown (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/12-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 12:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 12:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/12-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 12:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 12:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>