CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/31-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/20_Pro_31_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 31:10 - The Virtues of a Noble Woman" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/31-10.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/31-10.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/31.htm">Chapter 31</a> > Verse 10</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/31-9.htm" title="Proverbs 31:9">◄</a> Proverbs 31:10 <a href="/proverbs/31-11.htm" title="Proverbs 31:11">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/31.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/31.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price <i>is</i> far above rubies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth <i>is</i> far above rubies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />An excellent wife, who can find <i>her?</i> For her worth is far above jewels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above pearls.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />An excellent woman [one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous], who is he who can find her? Her value is more precious than jewels <i>and</i> her worth is far above rubies <i>or</i> pearls.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Who can find a capable wife? She is far more precious than jewels. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />A truly good wife is the most precious treasure a man can find! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />A virtuous woman who can find? for her price is far above rubies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Who can find a wife with a strong character? She is worth far more than jewels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Who can find a capable wife? Her value far exceeds the finest jewels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />[ALEPH-BET] A woman of worth who finds? Indeed, her price [is] far above rubies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A woman of worth who doth find? Yea, far above rubies is her price.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Who shall find a woman of virtue? for her price is far above pearls.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Who shall find a strong woman? Far away, and from the furthest parts, is her price.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Who can find a woman of worth? Far beyond jewels is her value. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Who can find a diligent woman? For her price is far above rubies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Who finds a diligent woman? For she is precious beyond incomparable precious stones.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A woman of valour who can find? For her price is far above rubies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/31-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=6477" 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/31.htm">The Virtues of a Noble Woman</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">10</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/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: yim·ṣā (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To attain to, find. ">can find?</a> <a href="/hebrew/7350.htm" title="7350: wə·rā·ḥōq (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Or rachoq; from rachaq; remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially.">She is far</a> <a href="/hebrew/4377.htm" title="4377: miḵ·rāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Merchandise, value. From makar; merchandise; also value.">more precious</a> <a href="/hebrew/6443.htm" title="6443: mip·pə·nî·nîm (Prep-m:: N-fp) -- Corals. Or paniy; from the same as pen; probably a pearl.">than rubies.</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.…<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="/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="/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4</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="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-3.htm">1 Peter 3:3-4</a></span><br />Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, / but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-9.htm">1 Timothy 2:9-10</a></span><br />Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, / but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.<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="/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="/songs/6-8.htm">Song of Solomon 6:8-9</a></span><br />There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and maidens without number, / but my dove, my perfect one, is unique, the favorite of the mother who bore her. The maidens see her and call her blessed; the queens and concubines sing her praises.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">1 Corinthians 13:4-7</a></span><br />Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-16.htm">Genesis 24:16</a></span><br />Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-10.htm">1 Timothy 5:10</a></span><br />and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">1 Peter 3:1-2</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm">Ephesians 5:22-24</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="/genesis/2-18.htm">Genesis 2:18</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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-7.htm">1 Corinthians 11:7</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.<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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.</p><p class="hdg">can</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-4.htm">Proverbs 12:4</a></b></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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/18-22.htm">Proverbs 18:22</a></b></br> <i>Whoso</i> findeth a wife findeth a good <i>thing</i>, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/19-14.htm">Proverbs 19:14</a></b></br> House and riches <i>are</i> the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife <i>is</i> from the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">her</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/3-15.htm">Proverbs 3:15</a></b></br> She <i>is</i> more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/8-11.htm">Proverbs 8:11</a></b></br> For wisdom <i>is</i> better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/20-15.htm">Proverbs 20:15</a></b></br> There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge <i>are</i> a precious jewel.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/12-4.htm">Character</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-13.htm">Discovery</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-20.htm">Excellent</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-8.htm">Far</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-21.htm">Find</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-29.htm">Good</a> <a href="/psalms/113-4.htm">Higher</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-15.htm">Jewels</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-7.htm">Noble</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-4.htm">Precious</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-26.htm">Price</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-15.htm">Rubies</a> <a href="/nehemiah/11-14.htm">Valour</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-4.htm">Virtue</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-4.htm">Virtuous</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-23.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-20.htm">Worth</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-4.htm">Worthy</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/1-80.htm">Character</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Discovery</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Excellent</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-14.htm">Far</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm">Find</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-12.htm">Good</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm">Higher</a> <a href="/songs/1-10.htm">Jewels</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-29.htm">Noble</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-1.htm">Precious</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-16.htm">Price</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-12.htm">Rubies</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-14.htm">Valour</a> <a href="/matthew/5-32.htm">Virtue</a> <a href="/ruth/3-11.htm">Virtuous</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-9.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-23.htm">Worth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-19.htm">Worthy</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 31</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/31-1.htm">Lemuel's lesson of chastity and temperance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/31-6.htm">The afflicted are to be comforted and defended</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">The praise and properties of a good wife</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/proverbs/31.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>A wife of noble character</b><br />The Hebrew phrase here is "אֵֽשֶׁת־חַ֭יִל" (eshet chayil), which can be translated as "woman of valor" or "woman of strength." This phrase sets the tone for the entire passage, emphasizing the virtues and moral strength of a godly woman. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a woman's role was often confined to the household, yet this phrase elevates her status, recognizing her as a person of significant influence and capability. The term "chayil" is also used in other parts of the Old Testament to describe warriors and men of great strength, underscoring the idea that a woman of noble character possesses a strength that is both moral and spiritual.<p><b>who can find?</b><br />This rhetorical question suggests the rarity and value of such a woman. In a world where virtue can often be overshadowed by superficial qualities, the question challenges the reader to recognize and seek out true character. The implication is that a wife of noble character is not easily found, and her worth is beyond measure. This echoes the wisdom literature's theme of seeking and valuing wisdom and virtue above all else.<p><b>She is far more precious than rubies</b><br />The comparison to rubies, known for their beauty and rarity, highlights the immense value of a virtuous woman. In ancient times, rubies were considered one of the most precious stones, often associated with wealth and status. By stating that a woman of noble character is "far more precious," the verse elevates her worth above material wealth. This aligns with the biblical principle that spiritual and moral qualities are of greater value than earthly possessions. The imagery of precious stones also connects to other scriptural references where wisdom and understanding are likened to treasures, reinforcing the idea that a godly woman's worth is immeasurable and enduring.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>APPENDIX (c).--THE PRAISE OF A GOOD WIFE. (<a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm" title="Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.">Proverbs 31:10</a>, <span class= "ital">sqq.</span>)<p>This is written in the form of an acrostic, the twenty-two verses composing it each commencing with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This may have been done, as in the case of several of the psalms, which are of a didactic character (e.g., 25, 34, 37, 119), to render it more easy for committal to memory. By some writers the acrostic form has been supposed to argue a late date for the poem, but there is no evidence for this. One psalm, at all events, of which there seems no reason to doubt the Davidic authorship--the 9th--is cast in this form.<p>(10) <span class= "bld">Who can find a virtuous woman?</span>--Various mystical interpretations of the person here implied have been held at different times. She has been supposed to signify the Law, the Church, the Holy Spirit.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 10-31.</span> - Part IX. THIRD APPENDIX TO THE SECOND COLLECTION. This section contains an ode in praise of the virtuous woman, derived from a different source from that of the words of Agur, and belonging to a different age (see Introduction). It is an acrostic; that is, each verse begins with one of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, arranged in the usual order. We may compare this <span class="accented">mashal</span> with the alphabetical psalms, "Psalmi abcedarii," which are, more or less, of similar structure, but of which one only, the hundred and nineteenth, is so marked in the English versions. Other examples are <a href="/psalms/9.htm">Psalm 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 145</a>; also <a href="/lamentations/1.htm">Lamentations 1, 2</a>, and 3. One object of this artificial construction was to render the matter easier to commit to memory. The spiritual expositors see in this description of the virtuous woman a prophetic representation of the Church of Christ in her truth and purity and influence. Thus Bode: "Hic sapientissimus regum Salomon laudes sanctae Ecclesiae versibus paucis sed plenissima veritate depingit.... Cujus (carminis) ordine perfectissimo alphabeti typice innuitur, quam plenissime hic vel animae cujusque fidelis, vel totius sanctae Ecclesiae, quae ex omnibus electis animabus una perficitur Catholica, virtutes ac praemia describantur." <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - ALEPH. <span class="cmt_word">Who can find a virtuous woman?</span> The expression, <span class="accented">ishshah chayil</span>, "woman of force," has occurred in ch. 12:4 (where see note). <span class="accented">Mulierem</span> <span class="accented">fortem</span>, St. Jerome terms her; <span class="greek">γυναῖκα ἀνδρείαν</span> is the rendering of the LXX., which places this section as the end of the whole Book of Proverbs. The expression combines the ideas of moral goodness and bodily vigour and activity. It is useless to try to fix the character upon any particular person. The representation is that of an ideal woman - the perfect housewife, the chaste helpmate of her husband, upright, God-fearing, economical, wise. See an anticipation of this character (<a href="/proverbs/18-22.htm">Proverbs 18:22</a>; <a href="/proverbs/19-14.htm">Proverbs 19:14</a>); and a very different view (<a href="/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26</a>). It is very remarkable to meet with such a delineation of woman in the East, where the female generally occupies a most degraded position, and is cut off from all sphere of activity and administration. To paint such a portrait needed inspiration of some sort. Such a one is hard to find. <span class="cmt_word">Her price is far above rubies;</span> or, <span class="accented">pearls</span> (see on Proverbs 20:15 and Proverbs 3:15). Septuagint, "Such a one is more valuable than precious stones." There may be allusion to the custom of giving treasure in exchange for a wife, purchasing her, as it were, from her friends (comp. <a href="/hosea/3-2.htm">Hosea 3:2</a>). At any rate, few only are privileged to meet with this excellent wife, and her worth cannot be estimated by any material object, however costly. St. Jerome, with a slight difference in the reading, has, <span class="accented">Procul, et de ultimis finibus pretium ejus</span>. You may go to the ends of the earth to find her equal in value. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/31-10.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">Who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can find</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמְצָ֑א</span> <span class="translit">(yim·ṣā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><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">She is far</span><br /><span class="heb">וְרָחֹ֖ק</span> <span class="translit">(wə·rā·ḥōq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7350.htm">Strong's 7350: </a> </span><span class="str2">Remote, of place, time, precious</span><br /><br /><span class="word">more precious</span><br /><span class="heb">מִכְרָֽהּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(miḵ·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4377.htm">Strong's 4377: </a> </span><span class="str2">Merchandise, value</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than rubies.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִפְּנִינִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(mip·pə·nî·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6443.htm">Strong's 6443: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pearl</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/31-10.htm">Proverbs 31:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a worthy woman? (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/31-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 31:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 31:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/31-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 31:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 31:11" /></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>