Proverbs 31

Proverbs · Chapter 31

Proverbs 31:19

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
19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.

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
hands herיָ֭דֶיהָYA-dei-haH3027G
hand

יָד (yad) : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists

she stretches outשִׁלְּחָ֣הshi-le-CHAHH7971K
to send: depart

שָׁלַח (sha.lach) : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send

on the distaffבַכִּישׁ֑וֹרva-ki-SHORH3601
distaff

כִּישׁוֹר (ki.shor) spindle-whorl, distaff

and palms herוְ֝כַפֶּ֗יהָve-kha-PEI-haH3709G
palm

כַּף (kaph) : palm/hand 1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand 1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand 1b) power 1c) sole (of the foot) 1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects 1d1) of thigh-joint 1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow) 1d3) hollow (of sling) 1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees) 1d5) handles (as bent)

they graspתָּ֣מְכוּTA-me-khuH8551
to grasp

תָּמַךְ (ta.makh) 1) to grasp, hold, support, attain, lay hold of, hold fast 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to grasp, lay hold of, attain 1a2) to hold up, support 1a3) to hold, keep 1a4) to take hold of each other 1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be held

[the] spindleפָֽלֶךְ׃FA-lekhH6418
district

פֶּ֫לֶךְ (pe.lekh) 1) whirl of spindle, stick, district 1a) whirl of spindle, stick 1b) district, circuit

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