Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
What does Proverbs 31:29 mean?
This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Proverbs 31:28-29 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Proverbs 31:29
The words of praise which the husband Proverbs 31:28 is supposed to have addressed to the ideal wife. Virtuously - The Hebrew word has primarily (like "virtus") the idea of "strength," but is used with various shades of meaning. Here (as in Proverbs 12:4 ; Ruth 3:11 ) the strength is that of character stedfast in goodness. In other passages (e. g., Genesis 34:29 ; Psalm 49:10 ) it has the sense of "riches," and is so taken here by the Septuagint and Vulgate, see also the marginal rendering.
Key words
- daughters
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daughters. These are "many", when the true church of Christ is but one, to whom she is opposed, Sol 6:8.
- daughters
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daughters. These are "many", when the true church of Christ is but one, to whom she is opposed, Sol 6:8.
Context in Proverbs 31
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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.
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