Proverbs 31:14 kjv
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
Proverbs 31:14 nkjv
She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
Proverbs 31:14 niv
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
Proverbs 31:14 esv
She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
Proverbs 31:14 nlt
She is like a merchant's ship,
bringing her food from afar.
Proverbs 31 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 31:10 | An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far more than rubies. | The overall theme of the Woman of Valor. |
| Prov 31:13 | She seeks wool and flax and works with willing hands. | Her active, willing industriousness. |
| Prov 31:15 | She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household... | Her early rising and direct food provision. |
| Prov 31:17 | She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. | Her physical and inner strength for tasks. |
| Prov 31:21 | She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. | Her preparedness for future needs. |
| Prov 31:27 | She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. | Her vigilant management and diligence. |
| Prov 6:6 | Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. | Exhortation to learn diligence from creation. |
| Prov 10:4 | A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. | The reward for diligence vs. laziness. |
| Prov 12:24 | The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. | Diligence leads to leadership and provision. |
| Prov 13:4 | The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. | Fulfillment comes through diligence. |
| Prov 21:5 | The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. | Diligence is connected to wise planning. |
| Prov 22:29 | Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings... | Skill and diligence bring recognition. |
| Eccl 9:10 | Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might... | Do work heartily and thoroughly. |
| Matt 25:21 | His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much...’ | Faithfulness and diligence in stewardship. |
| Rom 12:11 | Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. | Call to spiritual and practical diligence. |
| Col 3:23 | Whatever you do, do heartily, as for the Lord and not for men... | Doing all tasks with excellence. |
| 1 Tim 5:8 | But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his own household, he has denied the faith... | Emphasizes the importance of providing for one's family. |
| Tit 2:5 | 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 of women focused on home management. |
| Eph 5:15-16 | Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time... | Wise stewardship of time and resources. |
| Isa 23:8 | Who has purposed this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth? | Reflects the power and wealth of merchant trade. |
| Job 28:13 | Man does not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. | Seeking something valuable, not readily found (wisdom). |
| Gen 41:48-49 | He gathered all the food of these seven years... and stored up food in the cities. | Joseph's strategic long-distance provision and storage. |
| Neh 13:16 | Men of Tyre also, who lived in the city, brought in fish and all kinds of merchandise, and sold them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah... | Examples of foreign merchants bringing goods. |
| Acts 20:34 | You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. | Paul's personal example of working hard to provide. |
Proverbs 31 verses
Proverbs 31 14 Meaning
This verse portrays the virtuous woman as exceptionally proactive and diligent in providing for her household. Like a merchant ship that voyages long distances to acquire valuable and diverse goods, she diligently seeks out the best and most appropriate provisions, bringing them "from afar" to ensure her family's well-being and abundance. It speaks of her foresight, resourcefulness, and commitment to quality provision beyond mere immediate availability.
Proverbs 31 14 Context
Proverbs chapter 31 culminates the book of Proverbs with a praise for the Eshet Chayil, the Woman of Valor, as instructed by King Lemuel's mother. This poetic acrostic describes the ideal wife, mother, and household manager, presenting a holistic picture of biblical womanhood that balances domestic duties with shrewd business acumen, generosity, and spiritual depth. Verse 14 specifically focuses on her industriousness and foresight in ensuring ample and varied provisions for her family.
In ancient Israel, a household's survival and comfort greatly depended on its diligent management, especially in terms of food and supplies. While local markets existed, high-quality, specialty, or out-of-season goods often came from distant trade routes. The imagery of "merchant ships" evokes significant, even global, commerce, common in port cities like Tyre or Sidon. This sets the virtuous woman apart from one who would settle for minimal provisions or passively wait for goods to come to her. She actively and strategically seeks the best, showcasing a dedication to her family's flourishing that rivals commercial enterprise.
Proverbs 31 14 Word analysis
- She: Hebrew hi (הִיא). Refers to the "excellent wife" or "Woman of Valor" (Eshet Chayil) introduced in verse 10. It grounds the abstract qualities in a real, capable individual.
- is like: Hebrew kĕ (כְּ), a preposition meaning "like" or "as." It introduces a powerful simile, drawing a direct comparison to emphasize shared characteristics of enterprise and procurement.
- the merchant ships: Hebrew ’ōniyyōt sôḥēr (אֳנִיּוֹת סוֹחֵר).
- ’ōniyyōt (אֳנִיּוֹת): "ships." Represents large-scale transport, long voyages, and the potential for considerable gain or significant effort.
- sôḥēr (סוֹחֵר): "merchant" or "trader." Implies one who engages in commerce, often traveling far to buy and sell goods. This highlights her entrepreneurial spirit, willingness to invest effort, and acumen in acquiring what is needed. The metaphor elevates her household management to a serious commercial undertaking.
- she brings: Hebrew tābî (תָּבִיא). A causative verb, meaning "she causes to come" or "she fetches." It signifies active, intentional effort, not passive reception. She is the initiator and agent of provision.
- her food: Hebrew laḥmāh (לַחְמָהּ). Literally "her bread," but broadly signifies all sustenance or provisions for the household. This points to the basic but vital need she diligently meets.
- from afar: Hebrew mimmerḥāq (מִמֶּרְחָק). "From a distance" or "from far away." This adverb reinforces the extensive effort she makes. It doesn't imply scarcity locally, but rather that she is not content with merely what is easily available; she seeks quality, variety, or perhaps specialty items not found close by, demonstrating her commitment to her family's excellent provision and well-being.
- "She is like the merchant ships": This phrase groups her character with powerful symbols of economic activity, risk, and significant gain. It conveys her strategic thinking, resourcefulness, and willingness to undertake challenging endeavors for the benefit of her family, akin to an investor or shrewd businessperson. It speaks of efficiency and extensive sourcing.
- "she brings her food from afar": This phrase elaborates on the purpose of her "merchant ship" like endeavors. It shows her focused determination to provide high-quality or diverse provisions that require effort to obtain. This highlights not just survival, but thriving through abundant and varied resources acquired through diligence and foresight.
Proverbs 31 14 Bonus section
- The comparison to "merchant ships" not only implies distant travel but also evokes a sense of bringing in valuable commodities. It's not just "any food" but likely high-quality, perhaps more diverse or desirable provisions that elevate the family's living standard.
- This proactive approach to provision underscores a deep commitment to the family's welfare, viewing it as a priority worth significant effort and strategic planning, similar to how a merchant would manage a profitable business venture.
- The virtuous woman’s initiative challenges any perception that domestic work is inferior or mundane; she transforms it into a powerful, purposeful enterprise vital for the family's prosperity.
Proverbs 31 14 Commentary
Proverbs 31:14 brilliantly likens the noble wife to merchant ships, emphasizing her proactive, wide-reaching diligence in securing the best provisions for her household. This is not about scrambling for mere subsistence but intentionally seeking out quality, variety, and abundance. She doesn't wait for things to come to her; instead, she embarks on a purposeful "voyage," demonstrating a wise foresight that anticipates needs and proactively addresses them. Her effort extends beyond local conveniences, suggesting a desire to enrich her family's life with resources not easily acquired, embodying thoroughness and an entrepreneurial spirit in her domestic responsibilities. This verse showcases her role not just as a homemaker, but as a strategic provider and wise steward, valuing her family's nourishment and welfare highly enough to undertake great effort.
- Practical usage: This verse encourages diligent effort in household management, wise budgeting, planning ahead for family needs, and not settling for mediocrity when it comes to providing for one's loved ones, whether in food, education, or spiritual growth. It highlights the virtue of seeking excellence in daily duties.