moderate — wisely keeping self-control over one’s passions and desires.

homemaking — characterized by applying oneself diligently to caring for one’s house and household; especially understood as if a trade or vocation.

It is an acrostic; that is, each verse begins with one of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, arranged in the usual order. We may compare this mashal with the alphabetical psalms, “Psalmi abcedarii,” which are, more or less, of similar structure, but of which one only, the hundred and nineteenth, is so marked in the English versions. Other examples are Ps. 9, 10, 25, 34, 37., 111, 112, 145; also Lam. 1, 2, and 3. One object of this artificial construction was to render the matter easier to commit to memory

Unfortunately, in English readers cannot see clearly the craft of the poet. This poem is an acrostic poem, meaning that each line of poetry begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet and 22 lines of poetry here.

But the artistry does not stop there. Duane Garrett believes that there is an elaborate chiastic pattern that also governs the composition and reading of the poem. Readers might make sense of the poem in two mirroring halves as follows:

A. High value of good wife (v. 10)

B. Husband benefits (vv. 11–12)

C. Wife works hard (vv. 13–19)

D. Wife gives to poor (vv. 20)

E. No fear of snow (v. 21a)

F. Children clothed in scarlet (v. 21b)

G. Coverings for bed, wife wears linen (v. 22)

H. Public respect for husband (v. 23)

G′. Sells garments and sashes (v. 24)

F′. Wife clothed in dignity (v. 25a)

E′. No fear of future (v. 25b)

D′. Wife speaks of wisdom (v. 26)

C′. Wife words hard (v. 27)

B′. Husband and children praise wife (vv. 28–29)

A′. High value of good wife (vv. 20–31)

This Hebrew phrase, esheth chayil, is also used to describe Ruth (Ruth 3:11), who fits many of the characteristics of the idea wife described in this section. She was hard-working and took initiative (Ruth 2:2), and she was praised in the gates (Ruth 4:11). The word chayil can also indicate strength (Prov 31:3), wealth (Gen 34:29), or courage (1 Sam 16:18).

has skill with a variety of materials used to make linen—this would have been a highly valued skill in the ancient Near East (Prov 31:21–22, 24). Flax is a plant that would be dried (see Josh 2:6) and spun into linen. Wool, which comes from sheep, was spun into yarn (Exod 35:25).

She girds her waist in strength She has physical strength and stamina and is prepared to work hard.

This Hebrew expression used here refers to tucking the tunic into the belt so it is not in the way during intense activity.

Her hands she puts onto the distaff The distaff and spindle were tools used to make linen, which the excellent wife used to make clothing for her household (Prov 31:21–22) and to sell for profit (v. 24).

is clothed in crimson Expensive material typically worn by the wealthy (2 Sam 1:24; Isa 1:18; Jer 4:30). She provides clothes that are both luxurious and warm.

Her husband is known at the gates City gates were the social and economic hub of the city. The elders were the leaders responsible for legal rulings (see note on Ruth 4:1). The husband of the excellent wife was known and respected among the leaders of the town. Job describes how he was respected by all at the city gate before his suffering (Job 29:7–11).

Strength and dignity are her clothing While the excellent wife produces clothing from fine linen (Prov 31:22), she is better known for her character.

is vain The Hebrew word used here, hevel, is used figuratively to describe things that are brief and transitory (see Eccl 1:2 and note). Here, it speaks to the fleeting nature of physical beauty.

helper n., a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

likeness n., similarity in appearance, character, or nature between persons or things