Proverbs 31:12 kjv
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:12 nkjv
She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:12 niv
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:12 esv
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:12 nlt
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 2:18 | And the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." | The foundational purpose of a spouse as a beneficial helper. |
| Prov 12:4 | An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is as rottenness in his bones. | Directly contrasts a good wife with one who brings harm. |
| Prov 14:1 | The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. | Emphasizes the constructive versus destructive role of a wife. |
| Prov 18:22 | He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. | Finding a wife as a source of good and divine favor. |
| Prov 19:14 | House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. | A wise wife as a gift from God. |
| Prov 20:6 | Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but who can find a trustworthy man? | Relates to trustworthiness and consistent good. |
| Ecc 4:9-12 | Two are better than one... for if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. | Highlights mutual support and benefit in partnership. |
| Mal 2:15 | Has not the one God made and sustained for himself a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because he was seeking a godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. | Call for lifelong faithfulness in marriage. |
| Ps 37:27 | Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. | A general command to always do good and avoid evil. |
| Rom 12:9 | Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. | General principle of adhering to good and rejecting evil. |
| 1 Cor 7:3 | The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. | Reciprocal duty within marriage. |
| Eph 5:28 | In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. | Husbands benefiting by caring for wives; implicitly wives benefit when caring for husbands. |
| Eph 5:33 | However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. | Mutual respect leading to a good relationship. |
| Col 3:18-19 | Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. | Commands for mutual good conduct in marriage. |
| 1 Thess 5:15 | See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. | A broader call to consistently do good. |
| Tit 2:4-5 | ...to encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. | Qualities leading to doing good within the household. |
| Heb 3:14 | For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. | The concept of enduring, "to the end" or "all the days of her life." |
| Heb 10:24 | And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. | Encouraging good works within a community, applicable to marriage. |
| 1 Pet 3:1 | Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, | Good conduct as a powerful and ongoing influence. |
| 1 Pet 3:7 | Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. | Mutual living in understanding benefits both spouses. |
| Rev 2:10 | Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. | Loyalty and faithfulness for a lifetime. |
| 1 John 3:18 | Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. | Emphasizes love shown through action, "doing good." |
Proverbs 31 verses
Proverbs 31 12 Meaning
Proverbs 31:12 highlights a core characteristic of the virtuous woman: her unwavering and consistent positive influence on her husband. She actively seeks and performs actions that are beneficial, advantageous, and edifying to him. This commitment is absolute and without reservation, specifically noting that she intentionally avoids anything that could cause him harm, trouble, or detriment. Her goodness is not situational or temporary but spans "all the days of her life," demonstrating deep-seated loyalty, integrity, and a lifelong devotion to his well-being.
Proverbs 31 12 Context
Proverbs 31:12 is an integral part of the lengthy poem in Proverbs 31:10-31, which extols the virtues of the "excellent wife" or "virtuous woman" (ʾēshet ḥayil in Hebrew). This acrostic poem (each verse starting with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet) is traditionally attributed to King Lemuel's mother, advising her son on the qualities of an ideal wife. Verse 12 immediately follows the foundational statements about her worth being "far above jewels" (v. 10) and her husband's implicit trust in her because "she will enrich him" (v. 11). It lays the ethical and relational foundation for all her subsequent actions detailed in the chapter, such as her diligent work (vv. 13-27), her wisdom and kindness (v. 26), and her strength of character (vv. 25, 29). The broader context of Proverbs contrasts wisdom with folly, righteousness with wickedness, and blessing with curse, often personifying these qualities through ideal and foolish individuals. The virtuous woman here embodies applied wisdom in the most intimate sphere of life—marriage and family. Historically and culturally, this passage speaks into a patriarchal society, yet it elevates the wife to a position of immense influence, respect, and economic contribution, highlighting her indispensable role.
Proverbs 31 12 Word analysis
- She: Refers to the ʾēshet ḥayil (אֵשֶׁת־חַיִל), the "woman of valor" or "excellent wife," introduced in Proverbs 31:10. This is the ideal wise woman embodying strength, capability, and moral excellence.
- does him good:
- Hebrew: gāmal ṭôḇ (גָּמַל־טוֹב).
- Gāmal means "to deal bountifully with," "to requite," "to wean," implying a consistent, active, and beneficial action. It's not passive niceness, but a deliberate effort to provide benefit.
- Ṭôḇ means "good," "pleasant," "beneficial," "prosperous."
- Significance: This phrase indicates proactive generosity and constructive contribution to her husband's life, his reputation, and his overall well-being. It implies nurturing, support, and positive influence in every sphere.
- and not harm:
- Hebrew: lōʾ rāʿ (לֹא־רָע).
- Lōʾ is the negative particle "not."
- Rāʿ means "evil," "bad," "calamity," "misfortune," "harm."
- Significance: This is not merely an absence of evil but an intentional and consistent avoidance of anything destructive. It assures her husband that her influence will never be detrimental, malicious, or burdensome to him. It reflects integrity and reliability, essential for trust.
- all the days of her life:
- Hebrew: kōl yəmé ḥayyéyhā (כֹּל יְמֵי חַיֶּיהָ).
- Kōl means "all," "whole."
- Yəmé means "days of."
- Ḥayyéyhā means "her life."
- Significance: This phrase emphasizes consistency, endurance, and lifelong commitment. Her positive influence is not temporary, fluctuating, or conditional but steadfast from marriage to death. It speaks to her integrity of character that sustains virtuous action over time, establishing complete reliability.
Proverbs 31 12 Bonus section
The word ḥayil (חַיִל), used in ʾēshet ḥayil (Proverbs 31:10), can also mean "strength," "wealth," or "virtue." In the context of "she does him good," it implies that her inherent strength and character are actively channeled to produce beneficial results for her husband. This is not about a submissive or passive wife, but a proactive and competent one whose very nature contributes to the prosperity and well-being of her household and her husband's standing. The continuous aspect ("all the days") implies that this virtue is cultivated, maintained, and deepens over time, becoming an integral part of her identity. Her goodness is a wellspring, not a shallow pond, indicating profound character formation rooted in wisdom.
Proverbs 31 12 Commentary
Proverbs 31:12 provides the moral cornerstone of the excellent wife's relationship with her husband. It goes beyond mere affection, establishing a foundation of active, enduring goodness and absolute trustworthiness. Her proactive "doing good" means she consistently seeks what is beneficial for him—financially, socially, emotionally, and spiritually—and puts it into action. Conversely, her commitment to "not harm" ensures she actively refrains from any action, word, or attitude that could damage his reputation, finances, peace of mind, or person. This dual aspect (doing good and refraining from harm) signifies a comprehensive dedication. The crucial phrase, "all the days of her life," transforms this good intent into an unyielding covenantal loyalty. This verse underscores that a true partner is a lifelong asset, someone whose presence and actions consistently enhance the life of their spouse. It defines true spousal support not as an occasional gesture, but as a steadfast, living principle that pervades every moment of their shared journey.