Verse 4
4. A virtuous woman אשׁת חיל , ( esheth hhayil.) Hhayil denotes, primarily, strength, firmness, of body or mind; hence ability, capability, virtue, worth, etc. The probable meaning here is, a worthy woman or wife; or a capable woman; one having all the good qualities of her sex, and the necessary qualifications physical, mental, and moral for her position as a wife and mother. Compare Proverbs 31:10, and note; Proverbs 31:23; Proverbs 31:28; Ruth 3:11. Such a wife is, indeed, a crown of glory to her husband.
Husband Literally, her lord. Compare Proverbs 31:10; Pro 31:23 ; 1 Corinthians 11:7.
She that maketh ashamed Because she lacks these qualities and qualifications, and has their opposites; but, especially, because of that disqualification and cause of shame unfaithfulness to her marriage vows. See Proverbs 2:17.
Is as rottenness in his bones Carries putrefaction through the bones; a metaphor, says Gesenius, of terror. The figure is sufficiently explicit and terrible. Compare Proverbs 14:30; Hebrews 3:16. The crown among the Hebrews was the sign of joy and gladness, as well as of royalty. Compare Song of Solomon 3:11.
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