Friday, June 6, 2025

 A VIRTUOUS WOMAN FROM A TO Z:  PROVERBS 31 - ESHET HAYIL


(Heb. אֵשֶׁת חַיִל; "a woman of valor")


A few years ago, when looking up appropriate Scriptures in honor of my Mother in law, Betty, of blessed memory, I came across some very interesting information about the 31st Chapter of Proverbs.


One of the first things I discovered was that it is an ACROSTIC POEM about the virtuous/brave woman.  This is not apparent in English tranlations.  So, each verse, in Hebrew begins with a letter from the Hebrew alphabet - 22 letters in all.  It is the A-Z (English), so to speak, of a woman of God.  (Psalm 119 is another acrostic song - "The Golden Alphabet" as C.H. Spurgeon wrote)


The second thing I learned is that on EVERY SABBATH evening, this song is traditionally SUNG OVER THE WIFE / LADY OF THE HOUSEHOLD.  


While Proverbs 31 is often read as a tribute/honor to women, it has another, wider application to all of God's people, the Bride of Christ.  Of old, it is declared:


"The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zeph 3:1)


More to say, but a springboard for further study.


There are several sources available - Jewish and Christian - with more details.  Here are a few:


Eshet Chayil


Eshet Hayil

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