Proverbs 31:19 kjv

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

Proverbs 31:19 nkjv

She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.

Proverbs 31:19 niv

In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

Proverbs 31:19 esv

She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

Proverbs 31:19 nlt

Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.

Proverbs 31 verses

Proverbs 31 19 Meaning

Proverbs 31:19 illustrates the virtuous woman's active participation in the practical work of her household. It describes her engagement in textile production, specifically spinning, highlighting her hands-on diligence and skillful application of effort. This verse emphasizes her role as a productive and industrious provider within the home economy, rather than someone idle or detached from labor.

Proverbs 31 19 Context

Proverbs chapter 31 consists of two distinct sections. The first (vv. 1-9) contains the wise counsel given to King Lemuel by his mother, primarily focusing on justice, ruling wisely, and avoiding moral pitfalls. The second and longer section (vv. 10-31) describes the "excellent wife" or "virtuous woman" (Eshet Hayil in Hebrew). This latter part is an acrostic poem, with each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Verse 19 fits into this poetic description, detailing specific aspects of the virtuous woman's character and activities. It immediately follows descriptions of her active acquisition of raw materials (v. 13) and providing for her family (v. 15), naturally progressing to the hands-on process of creating finished goods. Historically, spinning wool or flax was a primary domestic industry. In ancient Israelite society, clothing and textiles were vital for warmth, protection, and economic exchange. The ability to produce these items was essential for a household's well-being and prosperity. This woman's involvement in such a fundamental and skilled task signifies her deep engagement in managing the household's practical and financial health. Her diligence in spinning contrasts with the idleness sometimes seen in other cultures, where upper-class women might have been completely disengaged from such labor, underscoring the biblical emphasis on industriousness and valuable contribution regardless of social standing.

Proverbs 31 19 Word analysis

• She lays her hands: (יָדֶיהָ שִׁלְּחָה - yadeiha shil'chah)

  • יָדֶיהָ (yadeiha): "Her hands." From the Hebrew word yad (hand), referring literally to her physical hands, but often symbolizing power, skill, agency, and personal involvement. The use of "hands" here denotes her direct, physical labor and competence.
  • שִׁלְּחָה (shil'chah): "She puts forth," "she sends forth," or "she lays." This verb implies a deliberate extension, reaching, or application. It’s an active, purposeful movement, not a casual action. It highlights intentional engagement in the task.

• to the distaff: (בַּפֶּלֶךְ - bappelekh)

  • פֶּלֶךְ (pelekh): "Distaff." A wooden stick or rod used to hold and organize unspun fibers (like wool or flax). The fibers would be drawn from it with one hand during the spinning process. This signifies the raw material stage of textile production.

• and her hands: (וְכַפֶּיהָ - vechappeiha)

  • כַפֶּיהָ (chappeiha): "Her hands" or "her palms." This is another term for "hands" (kaph), specifically referring to the open hand or palm, which might be seen as even more directly engaged in holding and manipulating the delicate fibers. The repetition of "hands" in quick succession underscores her manual skill and deep personal involvement in the craft.

• hold the spindle: (תִּמְכוּ בַכִּישׁוֹר - timchu vakkishor)

  • תִּמְכוּ (timchu): "They take hold of," "they support," "they grasp." This verb signifies a firm, supportive, and active grip. It indicates her hands are actively controlling the spinning process.
  • כִּישׁוֹר (kishor): "Spindle." A round stick, often weighted at one end, used to twist fibers into thread. The distaff provides the raw material, and the spindle twists it into usable thread. This signifies the actual act of spinning, requiring coordination and dexterity.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle": The parallelism and repetition of "hands" highlight the profound physical engagement and hands-on nature of the virtuous woman’s work. This is not about delegation or abstract management but active participation. The distaff and spindle are tools for creating, transforming raw material into something valuable and usable, embodying her productive efforts in supplying the needs of her household. This illustrates her skill, industry, and diligent personal investment in the household's economy and comfort.

Proverbs 31 19 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on the "hands" (יאד/יאדייהא and כף/כפיהא) of the excellent wife throughout Proverbs 31 (v. 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 31) is significant. It underlines that her virtue is not passive or merely conceptual, but demonstrated through tangible, laborious, and productive action. Her hands are tools of provision, strength, compassion, and diligent management. This portrayal directly connects her character to her works, fulfilling the statement in verse 31 that "give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." Her hands-on engagement in textile production illustrates how she practically contributes to her family's dignity ("no fear for her household from the snow, for all her household are clothed in scarlet" v. 21).

Proverbs 31 19 Commentary

Proverbs 31:19 is a vivid illustration of the excellent wife's active industriousness and practical skill. She is not a woman of leisure, detached from the tangible needs of her family. Instead, her hands are engaged in essential, often arduous, labor like spinning. This ancient domestic art, fundamental to clothing a family and even generating income through sales (Prov 31:24), symbolizes her proactive role in providing for and maintaining her household.

This verse speaks to more than just physical labor; it reflects her diligent character and wise stewardship of time and resources. By personally handling the raw materials (distaff) and transforming them into finished products (spindle), she demonstrates self-sufficiency and dedication to productive work. Her involvement underscores the theme of capability (hayil) woven throughout the Proverb 31 description. She takes the raw potential and, through skilled effort, brings forth tangible good, ensuring her family is clothed, comfortable, and well-provided for. This diligence is a practical manifestation of her godly wisdom and devotion to her family's well-being.

• Examples:
  • A homemaker diligently knitting clothes for her family or tending to a garden to provide food.
  • A person mastering a trade or craft to provide quality goods or services.
  • Someone learning financial literacy and actively managing household budgets to ensure stability.