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What is a Proverbs 31 Woman? Week 3 of 7
Alicia Curry • Jan 25, 2023
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Hi Friend!!
Welcome back to our third week in this study of what it looks like to be a modern-day Proverbs Thirty-One Woman.
Did you miss a week? That is okay! Go back and read them here:
Week One: Proverbs 31:10-12
Week Two: Proverbs 31:13-15
Last week my second-born turned 4! Although I had an entire blog post written out here, I never got around to verse 18 in my Instagram stories. I think it is just as valuable as all the others, so we will add that to next week's blog post. Now next week we can focus on Proverbs 31:16-17. There are quite a few translations here that showcase different meanings, but they all go back to the core Hebrew translations. This week she makes business deals, ensures profitability, and is energetic and strong. We finally get to see how hard this woman works to provide for her family.
Inspecting, Planting, and Harvesting
Proverbs 31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard
This verse is PACKED with so much information. We start with the Hebrew word zāmam. This verb is packed with some strong definitions. Biblical usage of this word is defined to have a thought, device, plan, consider, and purpose. Second, we find the masculine noun śāḏê with means field or land. This could be a cultivated field, plain, or land. Once we get to the purchasing translation, that verb is lāqaḥ. This verb holds many different translations. However, because of the location and period, we know that this would be an acquisition of some kind. Rather than an inheritance or purchase. The rest of the translations are just as stated, with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. So what does this verse mean to the modern day?
1. She finds a field
2. She acquires it
3. She plants a vineyard with her own hands.
I can see three different women here. She is the working mom, the business owner/investing mom, and the homemaker/haven maker.
The Working Mom
This woman is working outside her home for employment (or maybe working from home). Before she finds this career she has already done much research on the career and her future employer. She will put in an offer for this job before she accepts it. Once she begins working her labor with be fruitful.
The Business Owner / Investor
This woman is quite the character. She may be a stay-at-home mom with a side business, or she is just out there in full force in the business and investment world. Once she acquires these investments or business endeavors she uses her gifts and produces the labor required to produce a fruitful career.
The Homemaker
This woman is inspecting everything. Ensuring that her family is getting the very best. If she plans to spend any money on these items they will be heavily researched to ensure it is going to be a fruitful decision. Everything we consume, should it be food, drink, social media, television shows, or even the books we read. She’s inspecting it. Before a single purchase, she wants to be clear that this decision will produce fruit.
I like to read the Bible literally and then apply it literally. We don't really “think” like this every day - but in reality, we do. Are we asking, seeking, and researching our jobs, clients, investments, products, and services? Are we investing in our lives to be fruitful not only for the Kingdom of God but for our family as well? The time we are given throughout the day, is it being invested fruitfully? What I am trying to say is, this fruit, is it all for the Glory of God? Sure we all need a little pruning from time to time because friends that is how we GROW! I just wanted to give you some things to things about and pray about. Being Fruitful…….
Energetic, Strong and hard working
Proverbs 31:17, I feel like this is my favorite verse in all of the series. The transliterations are just mind-blowing! It gives a great look into her character. Proverbs 31:17: She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
When I first read that I think. Wow, she has some strong legs and arms! But that is not at all what this means! She grideth is a transliteration to ḥāḡar. This verb translates to, gird or put on a belt. Okay, let’s just stop right there. To put on a belt. Where else do we find a verb similar? Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. So going back to the noun māṯnayim, this means loins or hips. So she is putting on a strong belt on her hips. But a belt of what? Oh, I am so glad you asked!
Strengtheneth, this masculine noun ‘āmēṣ translates into some of the most powerful characteristic words! To be physically strong, alert, courageous, BRAVE, and bold. Now we do see the final female noun zᵊrôaʿ which simply means arm, forearm, shoulder, and STRENGTH. So what does this mean? She is such a hard worker she simply can have strong legs and arms. But this could be a belt of strong characteristics she ties to her waist each day. A belt to remind her that through The Lord our God, she is strong, brave, courageous, and bold! We can apply that very literally to the modern day. Are we tending to the temple that The Lord has given us? Do we have strong arms and legs to take care of our family? Are we putting on the Amour of God each morning along with this belt of added reminders that through Christ all things are possible? Through Christ, he gives us the strength to be brave and bold. Through Christ, we can be courageous, because we are standing on a solid rock of a foundation.
So what does this mean? She is such a hard worker she simply can have strong legs and arms. But this could be a belt of strong characteristics she ties to her waist each day. A belt to remind her that through The Lord our God, she is strong, brave, courageous, and bold! We can apply that very literally to the modern day. Are we tending to the temple that The Lord has given us? Do we have strong arms and legs to take care of our family? Are we putting on the Amour of God each morning along with this belt of added reminders that through Christ all things are possible? Through Christ, he gives us the strength to be brave and bold. Through Christ, we can be courageous, because we are standing on a solid rock of a foundation.
These two verses give us a lot of information about the characteristics of this woman. She is such a hard worker! Proverbs 31:18 does tie in nicely with all of this, but we will save that for next week's post! For now, I think this is a plethora of information to think about and pray about.
I want to encourage you to pick up your bible and pray about these two verses. When I start to pray questions in prayer, I make sure my heart is willing to listen and apply the response. It is never my will, but his will!
What is God trying to teach me?
How can I apply this to my current life?
In my current season of life, what does investing for my family's fruitful future look like?
How can I have been “strengtheneth” / ‘āmēṣ
Next week will uncover even more characteristics of this woman. But let us not get discouraged. We are all unique, and God has created us each in his image. We are not called to be perfect, and friend I am far, oh so far, from perfection! I heard this analogy when I was younger and it has just stuck with me and my faith. I hope you too can find encouragement in this.
When creating his masterpiece the potter will place his pottery in the fire over and over again, until it comes out of the fire singing. How amazing! We too are just like this pottery, sometimes when we are thrown into the fire it helps shape and mold our faith. It has taken me MANY years to reach this point in my faith. I almost didn’t even share this blog today, I felt like a failure. I did not do what I said I would do, and that was to review all 3 verses.
Today I just felt compelled. It is okay that I didn’t finish what I set out to do, and that I had to change the entire ending of this blog post. The entire purpose of this blog is to be a steward for The Lord. To encourage other women to pick up their bible, to spend time with our Father and Creator.
Tell me what was something that stood out to you during this study? I can not wait to hear what God has taught you along the way!
Until Next Week,
-Alicia
Welcome to Curry Family Favorites! This is our first offical Curry family favorites corner post! We absoulty love Abby from BobbinBay! She makes the most beautiful, durable and
In this weeks deep dive of the Proverbs 31 woman, we will look at Proverbs 31:13-15 and how they apply to modern day life.
We live in a world that is quick to take scripture out of context. Slapping verses on signs, mugs, and clothing. But what does it TRULY mean to be a Proverbs 31 woman? A wife of noble character? This is just the first of seven blog in this series studying original translation of scripture and definitions of words found throughout scripture. Just an insight on how I personally study the Bible.
