Proverbs 31:24 kjv

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Proverbs 31:24 nkjv

She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.

Proverbs 31:24 niv

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

Proverbs 31:24 esv

She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.

Proverbs 31:24 nlt

She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.

Proverbs 31 verses

Proverbs 31 24 Meaning

Proverbs 31:24 illustrates the proactive economic role of the excellent wife, portraying her as an industrious and entrepreneurial woman. She independently manufactures fine linen garments (tunics) and actively sells them. Furthermore, she produces and delivers sashes or belts to merchants, demonstrating a wider market engagement beyond local retail. This verse highlights her valuable contribution to the household's prosperity through skilled craftsmanship, business acumen, and participation in the broader economy.

Proverbs 31 24 Context

Proverbs 31:24 is part of a longer acrostic poem (verses 10-31) that describes the "Excellent Wife" or "Woman of Valor" (Eshet Chayil). This section is presented as a teaching from King Lemuel's mother, offering a model of ideal character and conduct. The chapter outlines her diverse virtues, spanning her domestic management, spiritual life, care for family, wisdom in counsel, and, critically, her extensive economic activities. Verse 24 specifically details her prowess as a skilled artisan and shrewd businesswoman. It illustrates how her diligence, creativity, and foresight directly contribute to the prosperity and dignity of her household within an ancient Israelite societal framework where textile production was a significant domestic industry, but her actions elevate it to a professional, mercantile level.

Proverbs 31 24 Word analysis

• She makes (עָשְׂתָה, ‘āśĕtāh): Literally, "she has made" or "she made." This word emphasizes an active, deliberate process of creation and production. It implies skill, effort, and intentionality, underscoring her role as a direct producer rather than just an overseer. Her engagement is hands-on and skilled.
• linen garments (סָדִין, sāḏîn): Refers to a finely woven linen cloth or garment, typically a tunic or an undergarment. Linen was a prized fabric in the ancient world, associated with purity and quality. The creation of such garments required substantial skill in flax cultivation, processing, spinning, and weaving. This indicates a high-value product, signifying her mastery of a complex craft and her dedication to quality.
• and sells them (וַתִּמְכֹּר, wattimkōr): "And she sold." This term denotes active commercial exchange. It highlights her entrepreneurial spirit; she produces not just for household consumption but for the marketplace, generating income and adding wealth to her family. This transcends mere self-sufficiency to full economic contribution.
• she supplies (נָתְנָה, nāṯĕnāh): Literally, "she gives" or "she delivered." In this context, it means she furnishes or provides something for commerce. It implies a regular, established source of goods and a consistent output, suggesting reliability as a supplier.
• sashes (וַחֲגֹורָה, waḥăḡōwrâ): Refers to girdles, belts, or sashes. These were often ornamental and could vary widely in value based on material (e.g., leather, linen, embroidered fabric) and embellishment. Their inclusion shows product diversification, indicating a broader skill set and awareness of various market demands.
• to the merchants (לַכְּנַעֲנִי, lakkăna‘ănî): Literally, "to the Canaanite." In this context, "Canaanite" serves as an idiom for "merchant" or "trader," reflecting the historical reputation of Canaanites as astute businesspeople and maritime traders throughout the ancient Near East. This is a critical detail, as it shows her operating beyond local sales, engaging in wholesale trade with professional merchants, implying larger production and a wider commercial network. It illustrates her capacity for larger-scale commerce and strategic engagement in the broader economic sphere, possibly countering cultural assumptions about women's restricted economic roles.

Words-group analysis:

• "She makes linen garments and sells them": This phrase details a complete entrepreneurial cycle: creation (making) and distribution/monetization (selling). It paints a picture of a proactive individual who transforms raw materials into valuable goods and efficiently brings them to market. Her direct involvement in sales shows business acumen beyond mere craftsmanship.
• "She supplies sashes to the merchants": This extends her business activities, demonstrating diversification of products (garments and sashes) and reach into broader markets (merchants). The use of "supplies" implies a regular, dependable commercial relationship with larger distributors. Engaging "merchants" implies strategic foresight in expanding her business impact, indicating that she operates not just as a casual seller but as a key part of the supply chain, generating significant income for her household.

Proverbs 31 24 Bonus section

• The term "Canaanite" used idiomatically for "merchant" in this verse, despite its historical and sometimes negative biblical connotations for idolatry, here underscores the pervasive nature of commerce. It implies the excellent wife navigates the broader world of trade, demonstrating integrity and success even in dealings with potentially varied external ethical landscapes.
• This verse contributes to the overall message of Proverbs 31:10-31 that an ideal life, lived wisely and in fear of the Lord, involves diligent labor, effective resource management, and strategic economic engagement for the good of the family and community. It presents an economic model where women are vital participants and drivers of household wealth.
• The meticulous process of producing linen from flax was time-consuming and labor-intensive, adding to the admirable nature of her industry and dedication mentioned elsewhere in the chapter (e.g., her early rising and late sleeping, v. 15, 18).
• The entire Proverb 31 woman can be seen as an embodiment of Lady Wisdom herself, found earlier in the book (Prov 8-9). Just as Wisdom builds her house and prepares a feast, the excellent wife diligently builds and provides for her household, making her a concrete manifestation of wisdom in action.

Proverbs 31 24 Commentary

Proverbs 31:24 portrays the virtuous wife as a remarkable archetype of industriousness and entrepreneurial wisdom, deeply embedded within the household's economic fabric. Far from being confined to passive domestic roles, she actively generates wealth through her skilled craftsmanship and shrewd business dealings. By producing valuable linen garments and sashes, she leverages her abilities to create high-demand products. Her direct engagement in selling these goods and, notably, supplying them to "merchants" (a term associated with professional traders, the Canaanites) illustrates her commercial astuteness and broad market reach. This detail indicates that her operations are not merely for subsistence but aim for profit and expanded economic influence. She contributes significantly to the family's financial stability, reflecting a robust work ethic, wise investment of her skills, and an active participation in the marketplace. Her diligence and business acumen serve as a powerful example of how faithful labor, imbued with God-given wisdom, leads to prosperity and honor. This passage challenges any notion that women's contributions are limited, showcasing her as an indispensable, active agent in securing and advancing her family's well-being.