What Does Proverbs 31:10 Mean in the King James?
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Hebrew חַיִל (chayil, force and capacity) names her as living strength whose value outruns the pearl measure.
THE MEANING
You encounter a woman called אֵשֶׁת־חַיִל (eshet chayil, a woman of force and capability). Her worth stands beyond the scale of pearls; even the language of price cannot contain what she is.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A woman’s worth is determined by the cost of her adornment or by the price others assign her.
THE ROOT
חַיִל
chayil
GROWS FROM
חיל
chayil
Strength, force, and capacity; by extension, resources, wealth, or military force.
The word translated “virtuous” carries the force of ability, substance, and strength. The verse names the woman with a word that can also describe an army or wealth, then places her value beyond pearls.
ALSO GROWS
cheil: Army or military force.
חֵיל
This form can name an army’s force, revealing the strength carried inside “virtuous.”
chayil: Wealth, resources, or substance.
חַיִל
The same word can name wealth and resources, joining her capacity with material substance before the verse measures her against pearls.
מִכְרָהּ
mikrah
GROWS FROM
מכר
makhar
To sell or exchange.
The word for her price comes from the language of selling and exchange. The verse uses a measure associated with transaction, then says her value lies far beyond the finest treasure.
ALSO GROWS
makhar: To sell.
מָכַר
The verb names the act of exchange behind the word for her price.
mimkar: A sale or something sold.
מִמְכָּר
This related noun names what is transferred in a sale, sharpening the verse’s image of a value that exceeds ordinary exchange.
THE PATTERN
Scripture places wisdom and lasting character beyond the measure of precious things.
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.THE THREAD
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.It repeats the Hebrew phrase אֵשֶׁת־חַיִל (eshet chayil, woman of force and capability). The crown image connects that strength with honor, extending the portrait of her worth.
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