What Does Proverbs 31:30 Mean in the King James?
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
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
Charm can mislead and beauty can pass, but the verse locates a woman’s praise in her awe of the LORD.
THE MEANING
Charm can mislead, and beauty passes like vapor; the woman who stands in awe of the LORD is praised. The verse shifts the measure of praise from what catches the eye to what her awe reveals.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
That a woman’s charm or beauty is what makes her deserving of praise.
THE ROOT
יִרְאַת
yir’at
GROWS FROM
ירא
To fear or stand in awe.
“feareth” in this verse is yir’at. The verse’s “fear” is awe of the LORD, in keeping with the Hebrew root’s sense of reverence. Its focus is not panic, but a life oriented toward the LORD, and that is what the verse associates with praise.
ALSO GROWS
yirah: Awe or fear.
יִרְאָה
This noun is built from the same root and names the quality the verse associates with praise.
yare: One who fears or stands in awe.
יָרֵא
This form describes the person whose stance toward the LORD shapes the verse’s contrast.
הֶבֶל
hevel
GROWS FROM
הבל
Vapor; something that dissipates.
The word rendered “vain” carries the image of vapor: beauty is real, yet it does not last. The verse places that passing quality beside awe of the LORD, which is the basis for praise.
ALSO GROWS
havalim: Vapors or vanities.
הֲבָלִים
The plural form carries the same image of things that pass away.
Hevel: Vapor; also the name rendered Abel.
הֶבֶל
The name carries the same root image, showing how closely the word is tied to what is fleeting.
חֵן
chen
GROWS FROM
חנן
To show favor or be gracious.
“Favour” in this verse is chen. Chen can mean favor and also charm or appeal, the quality that draws a favorable response. The verse says that this attraction can mislead; it places it alongside awe of the LORD as a different ground for praise.
ALSO GROWS
chanan: To show favor or be gracious.
חָנַן
This verb is the root family behind chen and makes the link between charm and favor visible.
chanun: Gracious, showing favor.
חַנּוּן
This related form shows the same family describing graciousness rather than outward appeal.
THE PATTERN
The LORD’s regard rests on what outward appearance cannot secure.
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.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
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.Both verses use the root ירא (yare), meaning to fear or stand in awe. Proverbs 1:7 names awe of the LORD as the beginning of knowledge; Proverbs 31:30 shows that same awe as the ground of a woman’s praise.
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