A wife of noble characterThis phrase highlights the ideal qualities of a virtuous woman, emphasizing moral strength, integrity, and capability. In the biblical context, the term "noble character" is often associated with wisdom and fear of the Lord, as seen in
Proverbs 9:10. The Hebrew word "chayil" used here can also mean strength or valor, suggesting that this woman is not only morally upright but also strong and capable. This aligns with the biblical portrayal of women like Ruth, who is described as a woman of noble character (
Ruth 3:11).
who can find?
This rhetorical question implies rarity and value. In ancient Israel, a woman of such character was considered a treasure, not easily found. The scarcity of such a woman underscores the importance of seeking wisdom and virtue, as emphasized throughout the book of Proverbs. This echoes the search for wisdom itself, which is portrayed as a precious and rare commodity (Proverbs 2:4-5).
She is far more precious than rubies.
Rubies, along with other precious stones, were highly valued in the ancient Near East for their beauty and rarity. This comparison elevates the worth of a virtuous woman above material wealth, suggesting that her value is immeasurable and eternal. This sentiment is echoed inProverbs 8:11, where wisdom is also described as more precious than rubies. The comparison to rubies also points to the eternal value of spiritual and moral qualities over temporal riches, aligning with New Testament teachings on the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:3-4).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The Virtuous WomanThe central figure in
Proverbs 31:10, representing an ideal of godly womanhood characterized by strength, dignity, and wisdom.
2.
King LemuelTraditionally attributed as the author of
Proverbs 31, receiving wisdom from his mother, though not much is known about him outside of this chapter.
3.
The Setting of ProverbsThe book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings and teachings, often attributed to King Solomon, and is set in ancient Israel, providing moral and practical guidance.
Teaching Points
The Value of Noble CharacterThe Hebrew word for "noble" (chayil) implies strength, capability, and valor. A woman of noble character is strong in her faith and actions, making her invaluable.
The Rarity of Such a WomanThe rhetorical question "who can find?" suggests that a woman of such character is rare and precious, much like rubies, which are valuable and hard to find.
The Role of Women in the Family and SocietyThis verse highlights the significant impact a virtuous woman has on her family and community, encouraging women to pursue godliness and wisdom.
The Pursuit of Inner BeautyIn a world that often values external appearances, this verse calls for a focus on cultivating inner virtues that reflect God's character.
Encouragement for MenMen are encouraged to recognize and cherish the value of a virtuous woman, supporting and honoring her contributions to the family and society.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 31:10?
2.How can we identify a "wife of noble character" in today's society?
3.What qualities make a woman "worth far more than rubies"?
4.How does Proverbs 31:10 connect to Ephesians 5:22-33 on marriage roles?
5.In what ways can men support women in embodying Proverbs 31:10?
6.How can single women cultivate the virtues of Proverbs 31:10 in their lives?
7.What does Proverbs 31:10 mean by "a wife of noble character"?
8.How does Proverbs 31:10 define a woman's value?
9.What historical context influenced Proverbs 31:10?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 31?
11.How can one person realistically fulfill all the ideal qualities described in Proverbs 31:10–31 without ever falling short?
12.Does Proverbs 31:10–31 conflict with other biblical passages, like 1 Timothy 2:11–12, that appear to limit women's roles?
13.How do modern scientific understandings of gender equality and social roles align with the prescriptive nature of Proverbs 31:10–31?
14.Where is the historical or archaeological evidence that ancient women held such extensive responsibilities and freedoms as described in Proverbs 31:10–31?What Does Proverbs 31:10 Mean
A wife of noble character• The phrase introduces a woman whose inner life is marked by reverence for God, integrity, strength, and unfailing love. Proverbs later details her industrious hands, generous heart, and wise tongue (Proverbs 31:11-31).
• Scripture consistently presents this kind of wife as a blessing: “A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown” (Proverbs 12:4). Such a woman reflects the fear of the LORD that “brings great confidence” (Proverbs 14:26).
• Her character aligns with the New Testament portrait of a godly wife whose beauty is “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:4).
Who can find?• The rhetorical question underscores rarity. As with “many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?” (Proverbs 20:6), so a noble wife is not located by accident; she is sought, valued, and recognized by spiritual discernment.
• Finding her is portrayed as a gift from the Lord: “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD” (Proverbs 18:22).
• The search imagery also encourages men to prize character above charm or appearance (Proverbs 31:30), and it affirms that such women do exist—Ruth was called “a woman of noble character” (Ruth 3:11).
Far more precious than rubies• Rubies, among the costliest gems of the ancient world, symbolize wealth and splendor; yet Scripture repeatedly teaches that moral and spiritual riches outshine material ones: wisdom “is more precious than rubies” (Proverbs 3:15; 8:11).
• The verse elevates the wife’s worth above earthly treasure because she brings:
– Steadfast trust (Proverbs 31:11-12)
– Provision and industriousness (Proverbs 31:13-19)
– Compassion for the poor (Proverbs 31:20)
– Strength and dignity that laugh at the days to come (Proverbs 31:25)
– Instruction marked by kindness (Proverbs 31:26)
• Her value is therefore intrinsic, enduring, and grounded in her relationship with the Lord, just as eternal treasures are stored “where neither moth nor rust destroy” (Matthew 6:20).
SummaryProverbs 31:10 opens the celebrated portrait of the virtuous wife by declaring that her God-shaped character is rare and exceeds the worth of the finest jewels. Scripture invites us to esteem and pursue such excellence, recognizing that true riches are found not in possessions but in lives transformed by the fear of the LORD.
APPENDIX (c).--THE PRAISE OF A GOOD WIFE. (
Proverbs 31:10,
sqq.)
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.
(10)Who can find a virtuous woman?--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.
Verses 10-31. - 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
mashal 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
Psalm 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 145; also
Lamentations 1, 2, 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."
Verse 10. - ALEPH.
Who can find a virtuous woman? The expression,
ishshah chayil, "woman of force," has occurred in ch. 12:4 (where see note).
Mulieremfortem, St. Jerome terms her;
γυναῖκα ἀνδρείαν 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 (
Proverbs 18:22;
Proverbs 19:14); and a very different view (
Ecclesiastes 7:26). 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.
Her price is far above rubies; or,
pearls (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.
Hosea 3:2). 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,
Procul, et de ultimis finibus pretium ejus. You may go to the ends of the earth to find her equal in value.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Whoמִ֣י(mî)Interrogative
Strong's 4310:Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffixcan findיִמְצָ֑א(yim·ṣā)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672:To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be presenta wifeאֵֽשֶׁת־(’ê·šeṯ-)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, femaleof noble character?חַ֭יִל(ḥa·yil)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428:A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strengthShe is farוְרָחֹ֖ק(wə·rā·ḥōq)Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7350:Remote, of place, time, preciousmore preciousמִכְרָֽהּ׃(miḵ·rāh)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4377:Merchandise, valuethan rubies.מִפְּנִינִ֣ים(mip·pə·nî·nîm)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6443:A pearl
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a worthy woman? (Prov. Pro Pr) 
