Proverbs 31:29 - Exposition

RESH . Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all . The versions and some commentators take the encomium in the mean and restricted sense of praise for the acquisition of riches. Thus the Vulgate, Multae filiae congregaverunt divitias ; Septuagint, "Many daughters have obtained wealth." But it adds another rendering, "Many have wrought power ( ἐποίησανδύναμιν )," which is nearer the meaning in this place. Chayil (as we have seen, Proverbs 31:10 ) means "force," virtus, "strength of character" shown in various ways (comp. Numbers 24:18 ; Psalms 60:12 ). "Daughters," equivalent to "women," as Genesis 30:13 ; So Genesis 6:9 . Roman Catholic commentators have, with much ingenuity, applied the whole description of the virtuous woman, and especially the present verse, to the Virgin Mary. We may regard it as a representation of the truly Christian matron, who loves husband and children, guides the house, is discreet, chaste, good, a teacher of good things ( 1 Timothy 5:14 ; Titus 2:3 , etc.).