Proverbs 31:23 kjv

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

Proverbs 31:23 nkjv

Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

Proverbs 31:23 niv

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

Proverbs 31:23 esv

Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

Proverbs 31:23 nlt

Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.

Proverbs 31 verses

Proverbs 31 23 Meaning

Proverbs 31:23 reveals a key benefit derived from the virtuous wife's character and industriousness: her husband gains public esteem and a recognized place of authority. Her diligent work, wisdom, and exemplary conduct at home directly contribute to his reputation, allowing him to sit among the respected leaders at the city gate, a central location for civic, judicial, and social affairs in ancient Israel. It underscores the profound and reciprocal influence within a marriage, where one spouse's godliness and faithfulness can elevate the other's standing in the community.

Proverbs 31 23 Context

Proverbs 31:23 is an integral part of the famous "Ode to the Capable Wife" (Proverbs 31:10-31), an acrostic poem presenting the epitome of wisdom and virtue personified in a woman. This passage describes her qualities and actions, portraying her as industrious, wise, compassionate, and provident, managing her household with exceptional skill and foresight. This particular verse focuses on how her diligence and character redound to her husband's public reputation and standing. In ancient Israelite society, the city gate (sha'ar) was not merely an entrance but the central hub for public life, legal proceedings, business transactions, judicial decisions, and social gatherings. Elders (zikeney 'aretz), the respected leaders and judges of the community, would convene there to govern and settle disputes. Therefore, a husband "sitting among the elders" signified his status, wisdom, and influential position within society, directly reflective of the honorable support he received from his wife.

Proverbs 31 23 Word analysis

• Her husband (ba'alah): This highlights the direct relational impact. The wife's actions and character are not just for her own benefit or household, but profoundly affect her spouse's life, especially his social and professional standing. The bond between husband and wife is seen as integral to public honor.
• Is respected (nodah - from Hebrew yada', "to know," Piel participle meaning "made known," "acknowledged," "esteemed"). This word signifies public recognition, not just private admiration. It implies his good name and reputation are widely known and acknowledged in the community, based on solid character and wisdom. This respect is often a consequence of his wife's supportive and excellent behavior, which empowers him to perform his public duties effectively and without domestic impediment.
• At the city gate (ba-sha'ar - Hebrew sha'ar): This specific location is crucial. The gate was the social, legal, and economic epicenter of an ancient city. It was where public pronouncements were made, legal cases judged, business deals conducted, and city elders deliberated. It symbolized public authority, community interaction, and justice. This signifies the husband's presence in the most important public sphere of the day.
• Where he takes his seat (beshivto - from Hebrew yashav, "to sit," infinitive construct, meaning "in his sitting"). This is not casual sitting, but denotes a permanent, established, and authoritative position. To "take one's seat" among the elders means to participate officially and rightfully in judicial and civic decision-making processes. It implies a respected place of authority and influence, indicating his acceptance as a valued and trusted leader.
• Among the elders of the land (im zikney-aretz - Hebrew ziqne 'elders,' aretz 'land'). These "elders" were the mature, experienced, and respected leaders and judges of the community. They were often heads of families or clans, renowned for their wisdom and ability to mediate and govern. His inclusion among them means he possesses the necessary wisdom, integrity, and social standing to serve in such a capacity, a status indirectly facilitated and amplified by his virtuous wife.

Words-group analysis:

• Her husband is respected at the city gate: This phrase immediately establishes the visible, public aspect of the husband's standing. His respect is not confined to the home but is manifest in the most public and significant forum, emphasizing the external manifestation of the wife's internal diligence.
• Where he takes his seat among the elders of the land: This highlights the nature of his respect. It's not just a passing nod, but a privileged, authoritative, and stable position among the most esteemed and influential men in the community. This solidifies the link between a wife's character and her husband's capacity to fulfill high civic duties. The woman's virtues indirectly enable her husband to fulfill the wisdom outlined in other proverbs concerning righteous leadership and good counsel (e.g., Prov 11:14; 29:7).

Proverbs 31 23 Bonus section

This verse subtly underscores the patriarchal social structure of ancient Israel, where men typically held formal public office. However, it simultaneously elevates the powerful, though indirect, influence of women. The capable woman's activities were primarily domestic, but their positive effects rippled out to encompass and uphold her husband's public image and responsibilities. Her work at home effectively positions him in the public square. It is a profound testament to the quiet power and critical contribution of a woman who walks in wisdom and godliness. The idea that one partner's behavior impacts the other's reputation is a recurrent theme in scripture, emphasizing the covenantal nature of marriage and the interconnectedness of individuals within a family unit. This passage, from the final poem of Proverbs, effectively summarizes how applied wisdom, lived out daily in domestic diligence and character, bears fruit not just within the immediate household, but resonates powerfully throughout the broader community, bringing honor and stability.

Proverbs 31 23 Commentary

Proverbs 31:23 beautifully illustrates the holistic and profound impact of a virtuous wife within a marriage and society. It is not suggesting that a woman's value is solely measured by her husband's success, but rather demonstrates a natural overflow of her internal wisdom and outward diligence. Her exemplary character and effective management of the household allow her husband to be free from domestic worries, thereby enabling him to focus on public duties and gain respect in civic affairs. This verse portrays a husband whose dignity and public authority are secured and amplified by his wife's consistent, godly conduct and industrious nature. It teaches that the strength and order within the home directly contribute to the public recognition and influence of its male head. This paints a picture of mutual support and a divinely ordained order where both partners contribute to the family's honor and the well-being of the broader community. The "virtuous wife" does not compete for public space, but creates the stability and reputation that permits her husband to excel within it.