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A wife of Noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

This is The

the opening verse in the wife of Noble Character passage found in the book of Proverbs.

indicated section of Proverbs has been disputed throughout the ages. Is the woman described in these verses that are actually an attainable by women everywhere? Or is this passage just yet another representation of wisdom that uses feminine terminology which is found earlier in the book? Most women today hope that it is the latter because the first seems to be completely

unattainable, how could one woman possibly possesses all of these different qualities? On the other hand if these qualities are something that can all be accomplished should not we as Christian women be striving to seek after them? Another question that is raised in regards to

this passage is who is the woman that is being described here? Could she be just a role model or is this yet another passage relating to Lady Wisdom? So many questions surrounding one passage, but are there any answers? Let us first begin by looking at the structure of this particular passage. The poem The

Wife of Noble Character is structured in a type of poetry called an acrostic. An acrostic poem is the initial consonant of each verse that follows the order of the Hebrew alphabet.
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The

acrostic pattern of this poem could also be used as a learning device to help the original reader remember it since it follows the Hebrew alphabet.3 It has been said that acrostic pattern that is

1 2

Prov. 31:10. (New International Version). Bruce K. Waltke, The Book of Proverbs: Chapter 15-31 (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing David Atkinson, The Message of Proverbs (Leicester, England: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 166-69.

Company, 2005), 510-36.


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found in the passage invades the poetic expression in some cases, but these is not true in this particular case of poetry. The poetic expression that is found in this passage is not infringed in any way by the pattern of the poem. 4 An acrostic poem is an interesting way to end a book that

is a collection of short, brief sayings. This poem gives a fascinating nature to this particular work; it makes it stand out from the rest of the book.
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Even though this book is not quite in

step with the rest of the book, what it says does not fall out of line in comparison to other passages of the Bible which portray women. There have been women in the Bible who have

been praises for their wisdom, bravery, and devotion just like the woman described in this passage.
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In addition to be an acrostic style of poetry the passage of the of a noble wife is also arranged logically and has thematic divisions. The introduction of passage is found in the first two verse, ten through twelve, in the introduction her general worth is inferred and it also describes what her worth to her husband is. The body of the poem is found in verse thirteen through twenty seven. In the section of the poem it talks about her many activities. How she runs her house hold and her many social activities. The poem is then concluded by her praises, given to her both by her family and also the members of the community.
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There are two primary views about the interpretation and application of this passage. Whether the passage is talking about a literal woman and all the qualities that are mentioned can
4 5

Roland E. Murphy, Word Biblical Commentary: Proverbs (n.p.: Thomas nelson, Inc., 1998), 245-50. Roland E. Murphy and Elizabeth Huwiler, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, Robert L. Alden, Proverbs: A Commentary On an Ancient Book of Timeless Advice (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book

1999), 154-56.
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House Company, 1983), 219-22. 7 Bruce K. Waltke, The Book of Proverbs: Chapter 15-31 (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2005), 510-36.

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be achieved or whether this is continuation of personifying wisdom.

Let us look at the first

claim that the wife of Noble Character is talking about a real woman therefore it can be achieved by all. There have been some to say that this wife is a role model for all women to follow and to live by. She has many qualities that should describe women and wives who follow Christ; she is trustworthy, is resourceful, is industrious, has generosity, business and domestic skills, and a has fear of Yahweh.
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Another aspect that makes some scholars believe that this woman was

real and that these qualities can be achieved by women is that there were women in the Old Testament that could be described with these qualities. Boaz assured Ruth that that she was a woman of substance and made sure the community also knew that too. 9 There is also Sarah who equaled her husband Abraham in kindness and charity and also Noahs wife could fall under the category of a noble wife.10 These were actual women who could fall into the description of a noble wife show that one can be found and that it is possible for one to exist. Being a woman of noble character is achievable. When one finds her, they should hold onto her and not let her go because she is value of great worth more than one can even imagine. So in relation to this passage what characterizes a woman of noble character? She has her husbands trust, she makes things with her hands, she gets up early in the morning to cook food for her family, she is a good business woman, she is charitable, she has strength and wisdom, and she receives praise from both her husband and children.
8 9

With a list of \

Tom R. Hawkins, The Wife of Noble Character in Proverbs 31: 10 -31, Bibliotheca Sacra (1996): 12-23. Christine Roy Yoder, The Woman of Substance10-31: A Socioeconomic Reading of Proverbs 31, Journal of Raymond Apple, The Two Wise Women of Proverbs Chapter 31, Jewish Bible Quarterly 39, no . 3 (2011): page

Biblical Literature 122, no. 3 (2003): 427-47.


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qualifications like this one can see why she would be worth far more than jewels. 11

This

passage set a very high standard of what wifehood should like which was adopted into many Jewish homes. Once a man could find a good wife he should not let her go and never forget

how much she really is worth. 12 According to Jewish sources one of their main view in whom this passage is referring to she is the perfect Jewish woman. She exemplifies the wisdom tradition that they teach to their women and daughters. In other words, she is the ultimate role model to them.
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She is a

diligent housewife who puts her all into everything she does whether it in terms of running her household or with business affairs. She, in Israelite society, holds what the ideal woman should measure up to be.
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Other scholars say that this passage is a sort of check list for Israelite men when looking for a wife. A good and prosperous marriage was something that everyone hopes to have, even in the day and age that proverbs was written. Whoever can find a good wife will find happiness. There are several passages throughout the Old Testament which places and emphasize on how important it is for a man to find a wife who will support him in the way of life and in His following of the Lord. She is the paradigm of the wife that every man longs to have.
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11

Crawford H. Toy, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary On the Book of Proverbs (New York: T & T Clark, 1970), A Cohen, Proverbs: Hebrew Text (United States of America: The Soncino Press, 1985), 211-15. J. Robert Wright, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005), 185-89. Tom R. Hawkins, The Wife of Noble Character in Proverbs 31: 10 -31, Bibliotheca Sacra (1996): 12-23. J. Robert Wright, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005), 185-89.

542-50.
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Scholars have also stated that it would make no sense for the woman being described in this passage to be lady wisdom. It states in verse twenty six that she speaks with wisdom. It makes more sense in that case for the wife of noble character to be a wise woman. If it were the other case to say that wisdom speaks with wisdom seems a bit redundant. For wisdom to being speaking with wisdom would be like saying love to be loving, or courage to be courageous. It does not need to be said because the quality of wisdom speaks for itself. Wisdom is wise no matter what she does or says; therefore, it cannot be wisdom who is being described here but rather a real wife.
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Another line of scholars also believe that the passage is just a continuation from the previous passage where the mother of Lemuel is contrasting what she said earlier to her son. Before she was warning her son of the seduction of evil women and how giving into her temptations would be the end to him. Therefore, since she had told her son what he does not need to look for, the next and clearest way to go in the conversation would be to tell him what He needs to look for in a wife. That the talents mentioned were a full-image of the type of woman that the mother wants her son to have. In other words, this list of qualities is a mothers dream of what her future daughter-in-law to be.
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There is also another end of the spectrum that puts the Noble Wife as the Epitome of Wisdom. Scholars have stated that the author of the book of Proverbs is just a continuation to

teach wisdom as He has done throughout the whole book and this is just another way of doing
16 17

Tom R. Hawkins, The Wife of Noble Character in Proverbs 31: 10-31, Bibliotheca Sacra (1996): 12-23.

Charles Bridges, A Commentary On Proverbs (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1994), 619-29.

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that.

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In the beginning of this passage it begins with who can find this can be interpreted as

a rhetorical question which is not meant to be answered. That could imply that no one can find such a wife because no one woman could possess all the qualities mentioned in the passage. Throughout the whole book of proverbs wisdom has been depicted through human qualities and has been personified.
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One scholar states this in regards to the parallels that

continue through the whole book, Do not the two portraits complement one another? The portrait of Wisdom inviting those who heed her call to make their home with her in chapter nine is completed by the portrait of the woman settled down with her own in chapter thirty-one. And the security of peace promised by Wisdom in 1:33 is amply portrayed in 31:10-31. If the portrait in chapter nine is that of Wisdom searching for companions, the portrait of chapter 31 must symbolize Wisdom finally settled down with her own. 21 This continuation of the personification of wisdom ties the book together. Several scholars believe that this is just an allegorical version of wisdom because the woman mentioned in the passage does far more than even possible of what any real women

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Tom R. Hawkins, The Wife of Noble Character in Proverbs 31: 10 -31, Bibliotheca Sacra (1996): 12-23. Roland E. Murphy, Word Biblical Commentary: Proverbs (n.p.: Thomas nelson, Inc., 1998), 245-50 Naphtali Gutstien, Proverbs 31 the Woman of Valor as Allegory: 10-31, Jewish Bible Quarterly 27, no. 1 (1991): Tom R. Hawkins, The Wife of Noble Character in Proverbs 31: 10-31, Bibliotheca Sacra (1996): 12-23.

36-39.
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could ever dream of doing.

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Because of the unattainability of all the qualities listed in this

passage scholars believe that the woman mentioned here is just to be used as an example to be contrasted to the Dame Folly who is mentioned earlier in the book of Proverbs. She is a model or example of a wise woman. In contrast to a foolish, adulterous woman, this woman is faithful to her family and therefore praised by her children and her husband and the public. As a wise woman she is in contrast the woman Folly. Rather than a personification of wisdom, the woman in 31: 10-31 is an embodiment or model of wisdom, a woman who is wise because she is living skillfully. 23 This picture of wisdom is depicted by what it can do and it is personified with human qualities. The use of feminine representation of wisdom is found frequently through out of the

book; therefore it makes perfect sense for the book to end with a woman who represents everything that wisdom should be. Because of the fact that she is described in superwoman

ways also shows that it is impossible for a real woman to every achieve these things, just points even more to allegorical way that wisdom is personified. 24 The women portrayed here is a

symbol of wisdom, torah, the soul. All of these Hebrew words are feminine, and can just future represent the symbol of Israel being the bride of the Lord. 25

22

R. N. Whybray, New Century Bible Commentary: Proverbs (Grand Rapids, MI: William B . Eerdman Publishing Tom R. Hawkins, The Wife of Noble Character in Proverbs 31: 10 -31, Bibliotheca Sacra (1996): 12-23. Naphtali Gutstien, Proverbs 31 the Woman of Valor as Allegory: 10 -31, Jewish Bible Quarterly 27, no. 1 (1991): Raymond Apple, The Two Wise Women of Proverbs Chapter 31, Jewish Bible Quarterly 39, no . 3 (2011): page

Company, 1994), 425-31.


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36-39.
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Another aspect of the passage that scholars have brought up, if this passage was just describing the qualities of a woman, praising her for the things that she has accomplished, it would be strange in the light of the whole book. The whole book of Proverbs has been filled with sayings that guide one to living a life a full of wisdom. In several place wisdom has been

referred to as a woman, so to think that the book takes a turn around to describe the qualities of an actual woman does not make sense in the scheme of whole book. There is nothing

throughout the book that would prepare or resemble the fact that this passage is talking about a specific woman.
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This view of the passage relieves a lot of women. There are plenty of women who when reading this passage feel overwhelmed and belittled by the description of noble wife. They feel inadequate when comparing themselves to the perfect woman. But since this woman is not really a woman but describing wisdom it relieves a lot of pressure that woman put on them after reading this passage. This passage continues the metaphor of wisdom in comparing in giving it feminine characteristics.
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When looking at these two different views what does or should readers today take away from this passage. These verses found in at the end of Proverbs presents an image of a woman who achieves in every area of her life: at home, in her relationship to her husband and children, in the eyes of the community she is a part of, she succeeds at everything she does. So whether you look at this passage an take it for an account of a real woman or you look at it and see Lady
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Roland E. Murphy, Word Biblical Commentary: Proverbs (n.p.: Thomas nelson, Inc., 1998), 245-50. R. N. Whybray, New Century Bible Commentary: Proverbs (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdman Publishing Company, 1994), 425-31.

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Wisdom being personified, one can still look to all the qualities as something that we should strive to. While yes, the list seems daunting to be able to fulfill every quality that the noble wife possesses, all the things that are listed are good and noble qualities to have. We as followers of

God should strive to seek wisdom. Either way of interpreting passage wisdom is still involved, whether the wife possesses wisdom or this is just Lady wisdom personified, therefore as people who believe in the Bible and strive to follow what it says we still should value what is said and go after the wisdom that is mentioned. The woman of noble character aligns her life with proper values and exemplifies wisdom. This noble woman demonstrates that a proper spiritual orientation and the arrangement of ones life under the fear of the Lord is the only way to reach ones full potential as wise created being made to live free of slavery and yet under divine authority. 28 We as Christian should strive to fulfill the same qualities that are listed, we might fall and fail, but we should still go after it will all that we are and have. woman of Noble character. In this paper I have stated the many different views and varieties of views of the Wife of Noble character passage found in the conclusion of proverbs. I described that structure of the poem and how is written in the acrostic style of poetry. After this style was described I went into the view that the woman in Proverbs thirty one is a literal woman. There are some scholars who believe that this passage is referring to women in the past like Ruth, Noahs Wife, and Sarah. I believe this idea is a little farfetched because yes these were all great women, but they all had their faults to which can be found in their different stories. I then went into how some scholars
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Like the

Tom R. Hawkins, The Wife of Noble Character in Proverbs 31: 10-31, Bibliotheca Sacra (1996): 12-23.

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believe that this passage is a check list for grooms looking for a bride, and that it is something for all women to aspire to be like this woman. The next major issue that I went into was how this passage was not referring to an actual woman but just ties in with Lady Wisdom. This falls in line with the rest of the book of Proverbs and a personified version of wisdom. I personally tend to agree with this point of view. I agree with the scholars who say that an actual human woman with all of these characteristics is very unlike for one person to be able to possess them. But I

think the proverbs thirty one woman is a continuation of the description of lady wisdom and of wisdom throughout the book proverbs. I think this particular line of thought follows the pattern of the rest of the book and makes the most sense logical. The woman in proverbs thirty one is not referring to an actual woman, but just is a continuation of the personification of wisdom found in the book of proverbs.

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