Proverbs 31

Proverbs · Chapter 31

Proverbs 31:14

1The 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.10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
she isהָ֭יְתָהHA-ye-tahH1961
to be

הָיָה (ha.yah) 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) …

like [the] ships ofכָּאֳנִיּ֣וֹתko-'o-ni-YOTH0591
fleet

אֳנִיָּה (o.niy.yah) 1) ship 1a) men of ships, seamen

a traderסוֹחֵ֑רso-CHERH5503
to trade

סָחַר (sa.char) 1) to go around, go about, travel about in, go about in trade 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go about to and fro (in business) 1a2) trader, trafficker (participle) 1b) (Pilpel) to palpitate

from a distanceמִ֝מֶּרְחָ֗קmi-mer-CHAKH4801
distance

מֶרְחָק (mer.chaq) distant place, distance, far country

she bringsתָּבִ֥יאta-VI'H0935P
to come (in): come

בּוֹא (bo) : come/go_in 1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to enter, come in 1a2) to come 1a2a) to come with 1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy) 1a2c) to come to pass 1a3) to attain to 1a4) to be enumerated 1a5) to go 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to lead in 1b2) to carry in 1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon 1b4) to bring to pass 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought, brought in 1c2) to be introduced, be put

food herלַחְמָֽהּ׃lach-MAHH3899G
food

לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.