Lux Domini
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

What does Proverbs 31:26 mean?

This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation.

Key themes

Anxiety and fearWisdomJustice and mercyFear of the Lord

Read with

Keep this verse inside Proverbs 31:26-27 and alongside a few nearby related passages.

Commentary on Proverbs 31:26

Law of kindness - The words which come from the lips of the true wife are as a law giving guidance and instruction to those that hear them; but the law is not proclaimed in its sterner aspects, but as one in which "mercy tempers justice," and love, the fulfilling of the law, is seen to be the source from which it springs.

Key words

openeth

She openeth her mouth with wisdom,.

mouth

She openeth her mouth with wisdom,.

wisdom

She openeth her mouth with wisdom,.

Context in Proverbs 31

Show chapter context

Proverbs 31 belongs to the closing movement of the book, especially the section often described as Agur, Lemuel, and the valiant woman. Proverbs offers compact instruction on speech, work, wealth, friendship, sex, discipline, justice, and wisdom as a way of life before God. Read this chapter with the wider themes of wisdom, fear of the Lord, and speech in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.

wisdomfear of the Lordspeechdiscipline

Explore by topic

Bible verses about kindness

Passages on compassion, tender-heartedness, the kindness of God, and practical instructions to show kindness to others.

Bible verses about anxiety and fear

Verses for readers searching for biblical language about fear, worry, troubled thoughts, and the call to trust God under pressure.

Bible verses about wisdom

Verses on the fear of the Lord, wise speech, practical judgment, teachability, and the difference between biblical wisdom and mere cleverness.

Bible verses about justice and mercy

Key texts on public righteousness, neighbor-love, social ethics, compassion, and the prophetic refusal to separate worship from justice.