Proverbs 31:31 kjv

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:31 nkjv

Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:31 niv

Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:31 esv

Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:31 nlt

Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Proverbs 31 verses

Proverbs 31 31 Meaning

Proverbs 31:31 is the concluding verse of the lengthy acrostic poem describing the excellent wife, often called the "virtuous woman" or "woman of valor" (אֵשֶׁת חַיִל, 'eshet chayil). This verse serves as a powerful summary and a command, affirming that her diligence, wisdom, and godly character warrant and will naturally receive public recognition and fitting reward. It instructs the community to acknowledge her tangible contributions and declare that her lasting impact is her truest and most deserved praise, visible to all in the public square.

Proverbs 31 31 Context

Proverbs 31:31 marks the conclusion of the acrostic poem (Prov 31:10-31) that describes the 'Eshet Chayil, the woman of valor or excellent wife. This poem is placed after various proverbs offering practical wisdom for life, particularly from a kingly or princely perspective (Prov 31:1-9, instructions from Lemuel's mother). The poem meticulously details the exemplary characteristics of this woman, including her industry, shrewdness, compassion, foresight, strength, and piety. It contrasts her enduring virtues with superficial charms and fleeting beauty (Prov 31:30), declaring that her true worth comes from her fear of the Lord. Therefore, verse 31 is the natural and commanded response to such an exceptional life – a call for her rightful, public recognition and reward by her community and the direct outcome of her tireless, virtuous efforts. The "gates" ('sha'arim') were the civic and commercial center of ancient Near Eastern cities, where legal decisions were made, business was conducted, and public life unfolded, making it the prime location for public recognition and testimony.

Proverbs 31 31 Word analysis

• Give her:

  • Hebrew: וּתְנוּ לָהּ (utnu lah).
  • Utu (וּתְנוּ) is a plural imperative, meaning "and you (all) give." This implies a command or instruction to the husband, sons, community, or even the reader, to actively honor and compensate her. It’s not just a statement of fact but an exhortation to action, underscoring communal responsibility in recognizing her worth.
  • Significance: Highlights the active role others play in acknowledging her value and ensures she receives the fruit of her labor. This active 'giving' stands in contrast to merely passive observation.

• of the fruit:

  • Hebrew: מִפְּרִי (mipp'riy).
  • Mipp'riy literally means "from the fruit of." This denotes the tangible results, yield, or natural outcome of her efforts. It implies a deserved return on investment.
  • Significance: Connects reward directly to her output and productivity. It refers to a just recompense derived directly from her accomplishments, suggesting substance over show.

• her hands:

  • Hebrew: יָדֶיהָ (yadeyha).
  • Yadeyha refers to her hands, a common biblical metonymy for one's labor, actions, or work. It emphasizes physical and diligent effort, as described throughout Proverbs 31:10-29.
  • Significance: Grounds her commendation in practical, often manual, diligent work and enterprise, highlighting her productive character rather than passive reception. Her character is demonstrated through her work.

• and let her own works:

  • Hebrew: וִיהַלְלוּהָ בַשְּׁעָרִים מַעֲשֶׂיהָ (viyhalelūhā vasha'arim ma'aseyha).
  • Vi yhalelūhā comes from the verb הָלַל (halal), meaning "to praise," in the Hiphil conjugation (causative) and third-person plural imperfect (jussive), literally "and let them praise her" or "they will praise her."
  • Ma'aseyha (מַעֲשֶׂיהָ) means "her deeds," "her doings," or "her accomplishments." This specifies that the agent of praise is not a person's mouth or her beauty, but the very tangible acts and achievements she has performed.
  • Significance: This is a powerful statement on authenticity. Her actions (her 'works') are presented as self-praising or generating praise, rather than praise coming from flattery or outward appearance. It shows her life is a testament in itself, aligning with the contrast in Prov 31:30. This also highlights a reversal of typical power dynamics; her deeds compel praise.

• praise her: (Covered above in "and let her own works")

• in the gates:

  • Hebrew: בַשְּׁעָרִים (basha'arim).
  • Basha'arim means "in the gates," referring to the city gates. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the city gate was the nerve center of communal life: legal disputes were settled (e.g., Ruth 4:1), business was conducted, public pronouncements were made, and community elders and judges assembled.
  • Significance: Public and indisputable validation. Praise in the gates is not private commendation but official, widely recognized, and publicly declared honor, symbolizing her established reputation within the community's most significant public forum. Her influence extends beyond her home to the wider society.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Give her of the fruit of her hands": This phrase functions as both an ethical imperative and a natural outcome. Ethically, it commands the community or husband to provide just recompense and acknowledgment for her labor. As a natural outcome, it asserts that her diligent and effective work naturally yields positive results, which should be recognized and received by her. It implies prosperity derived from productivity, reinforcing the theme of labor's reward. This also stands as an exhortation to active appreciation and just compensation for those who labor diligently and righteously.

• "and let her own works praise her in the gates": This profound statement emphasizes the enduring power and undeniable testimony of virtuous actions. It declares that genuine character, demonstrated through a life of purposeful, righteous, and industrious deeds, produces its own unforced commendation. This praise is public (in the gates), undeniable, and based on concrete evidence, offering a stark contrast to superficial charm or fleeting beauty mentioned in the preceding verse (Prov 31:30). Her legacy is her life lived, which stands as her most compelling advocate and monument. This suggests that the highest praise comes not from human words, but from the irrefutable evidence of a well-lived life before God and man.

Proverbs 31 31 Bonus section

• Not a private affair: The phrase "in the gates" crucially transforms any potential for her life to be a private or isolated example into a public spectacle of righteousness. Her virtue has societal ripple effects, earning respect and setting a standard for the entire community, not just her immediate family.
• A contrast to self-promotion: This verse stands in stark opposition to self-promotion or boasting. The praise comes from her works, not from her mouth. It is an unearned recognition that stems from inherent merit, providing a biblical principle that a life well-lived speaks for itself, especially when guided by godly principles.
• Universal application: While focused on the "woman of valor," the principles of Proverbs 31:31 apply universally. All who diligently work, exhibit integrity, and live in wisdom and fear of the Lord will find their efforts leading to positive "fruit" and their "works" earning them appropriate and deserved recognition, whether from God, others, or the natural outcomes of their endeavors. This encourages a life of authentic godliness rather than one performed for fleeting approval.

Proverbs 31 31 Commentary

Proverbs 31:31 crowns the description of the virtuous woman by stating the ultimate validation of her life: her good works themselves will testify for her. This is a divine declaration that a life lived in fear of the Lord, characterized by diligent labor, wisdom, and compassionate action, does not go unnoticed. The initial imperative "Give her..." implies a communal responsibility to provide due recompense and honor, reminding husbands, children, and society to value and support such an individual. The subsequent declaration, "let her own works praise her," underscores that true praise is earned through integrity and impactful living, not through seeking applause or relying on transient qualities. Her achievements in managing her household, engaging in commerce, caring for the needy, and raising her family form a lasting testament to her character. This praise in "the gates" signifies public, undeniable honor, affirming her high standing within the entire community. It highlights that the impact of a righteous life, consistent with God's wisdom, will inherently lead to deserved honor and a powerful legacy, whether in ancient Israel or in the lives of believers today. This verse serves as a guide for all to focus on deeds that reflect true character and result in lasting, God-honoring impact.