Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Lamuel. This name signifies, God with him; and is supposed to be one of the names of Solomon. Challoner.—Grotius would explain it of Ezechias. But why should we abandon the tradition of both Jews and Christians?—Mother; Bethsabee, who it seems was inspired, unless she received these maxims from Nathan. Solomon always speaks of her with the utmost respect, as a prudent mother may have the greatest influence over the tender minds of her children. Calmet. 1:8 and 23:25.
Verse 2. Vows. She seems unable to express her concern for him when he first mounted the throne, and shewed her the greatest reverence. 3 Kennicott. 2:19.
Verse 3. Women. This would destroy thy health, and tend to impoverish the kingdom.—Kings, by injustice and ambition. Calmet.
Verse 4. Give. Septuagint “Do all with counsel. By advice drink wine. Lords are inclined to anger; let them not drink wine.” Bible.—Solomon took this advice. Eccle. 2:3.
Verse 5. Poor. Solon condemned to death, at Athens, the prince who should get drunk; and the Areopagites excluded from their assembly a judge who had dined in a tavern. Laert. 1. Athen. xiii. 2.
Verse 6. Drink. Hebrew shecar, particularly palm-wine.—Are sad. Hebrew “perish,” being sentenced to die; (Mark 15:23. Amos 2:8) or, who grieve and mourn for one deceased. On such occasions no food was prepared in the house, but the friends supplied what was necessary, and went to eat and drink with the afflicted. Eccle. 7:3.
Verse 7. More. Not that intoxication is permitted even to them.
Verse 8. Pass through life, or the country. Calmet.—Septuagint “Open thy mouth and judge righteously. Render justice to the poor and weak.” Bible.—Doctrine is best received by those who are more ready to hear than to speak. Worthington.
Verse 10. Who. The following verses are in alphabetical order. They contain a grand eulogy of Bethsabee, who repented, or of a perfect matron. Calmet.—Such are rare, though they may be found. Worthington.—Valiant; industrious.—Price. Formerly people bought their wives. Calmet.—Is. Hebrew “is far above riches (Prot. Bible.) or pearls.” Lamentations 4:7.
Verse 11. Spoils, taken in war. His wife will supply all necessaries. verse 21.
Verse 13. Hands, with skill and industry, ( Calmet.) or “willingness.” Hebrew Menochius.—Ladies of the highest quality formerly employed themselves in this manner, like Penelope. Alexander, Augustus, and Charlemagne wore garments, which their sisters or wives had wrought. Curt. 5. Suet. 64. Eginhard.
Verse 14. Bread; all that is used for meat and drink. Septuagint “riches.” Grabe, “livelihood:” Βιον. Bible.
Verse 15. Night, or early in the morning, as soon as the night was over; de nocte. Hebrew “while it is yet night.” Bible.—Extreme vigilance is required of those who direct others. “The master must be first up, and last in bed.” Cato v.
Verse 16. Considered. This conduct is suggested by prudence. Calmet.—Cato (Rust. 2.) says, “Do not go only once round the field,” and so forth
Verse 17. Arm; working, and making others obey.
Verse 18. Night, during a great part of which she will work.
Verse 19. Strong things, “becoming” (Sept.) her station. Calmet.—Spindle. She purposes and begins well, trusting in God for perfection and a reward. Worthington.
Verse 21. Domestics. Hebrew “house is clothed in purple,” which may be understood of the domestics, though it seems more probably to refer to her husband and children.
Verse 22. Tapestry, for the beds and floor.—Linens, or cotton; byssus. Exodus 25:4.
Verse 23. Gates. Chal. “provinces.” The rich were chosen for judges. Calmet.
Verse 24. The Chanaanite, the merchant; for Chanaanite, in Hebrew, signifies a merchant. Challoner.—The Phœnicians travelled into all countries. Traffic was not then deemed a discredit, even to kings.—Girdles were worn both by men and women, and were very costly, insomuch that ( Calmet.) the kings of Persia assigned cities to furnish their wives with them. Athen. i. in Antylla.—They who practise and teach the law may be said to buy and sell. Worthington.
Verse 25. Clothing: it is very beautiful, or wisdom and virtue surround her.—Day. She fears not death, ( Calmet.) or future distress of hunger, and so forth Jans.
Verse 26. Tongue. She is ever bent on doing good. Bible.—Very different from many of her sex, who are taken up with vanity and complaints. Calmet.
Verse 27. Idle, out of a sense of duty, and not though avarice.
Verse 28. Her. They were best able to judge of her merit.
Verse 30. Lord. Hitherto natural qualifications appear: but to these the Christian matron must add sincere piety: and thus Solomon completes the character of his mother, ( Calmet.) who had given him such excellent instructions, or of any accomplished woman. Outward beauty soon ( Bible.) decays; but the fear of God is more deserving of praise. Worthington.
Verse 31. Gates, before all the judges ( Bible.) and people. Menochius.—Good works shall be rewarded at God’s tribunal, ( Worthington.) when the vain worldly beauty shall be covered with confusion. Bible.—This idea of a perfect woman is best verified in the Catholic Church, (Saint Augustine Ven. Bede) though the blessed Virgin, and so forth may also be designated. Worthington.—The use of the alphabet herein denotes, that we must begin with a moral good life, if we would penetrate the greater mysteries of the Scriptures. S. Jerom. Lam.
ECCLESIASTES
ECCLESIASTES
Proverbs 31:10-31 form an acrostic, with each verse starting with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order.