‘A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.’
Proverbs 31:10-31 NIV

Ah, the Proverbs 31 woman. The perfect woman that every Christian girl dreams of being.

If you grew up in a Christian household, you’ve probably heard of this lady. She’s simply called ‘The Proverbs 31 Woman.’ But what does that mean?

Well? that’s a great question. I grew up in a Christian household (in case that wasn’t obvious) and in the U.S. So to me, a Proverbs 31 woman means something different than it actually is.

I knew the perfect place that would help me find the definition of what an American Proverbs 31 woman is: Pinterest.

Here is an image I found of “Qualities of a Proverbs 31 Woman.”

Although some of these are true, American Christian culture pressures girls to be that Proverbs 31 woman.

You don’t have to get up before the sunrise to love God! I wake up waaaaay after the sun rises and I’m pretty sure I love God just as much as I would if I woke up earlier. (Honestly, I think I do a better job loving God after the sun rises…I am not a morning person. My family probably completely agrees with me. Sorry y’all.😅)

Another Pinterest image I saw said, “Manages her own money.” This one is a good skill (and is talking about not spending money on frivolities and things like that) but it’s not a requirement to follow Christ.

But what is a true Proverbs 31 woman, according to Proverbs and Solomon?

Well, it’s obviously the qualities that Proverbs lists, but there’s some stuff behind that: in that time period, sometimes women were told to submit to their husbands.

And while some of them believed in Yahweh, their husbands did not or believed due to culture or religion instead of faith.

So Solomon is saying that a Godly wife is providing an example for other women who believed in God, rather than submitting their faith to their non-believing husbands.

Obviously the Proverbs 31 is a good example for modern-day girls and women as well! But I personally think that we take it a little too far, saying that that’s the only way to find a Godly husband or to receive love from God and things like that.

So in conclusion, we should not look to the Proverbs 31 woman as an idol but as a reference or a role model. After all, she’s a fictional person, an example that Solomon created!

The Proverbs 31 woman is not a perfect woman, but a productive and purposeful woman.

~Willow 🤎