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:
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