Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
Pro 31:30 What now follows is not a continuation of the husband’s words of praise (Ewald, Elster, Löwenstein), but an epiphonema auctoris (Schultens); the poet confirms the praise of the husband by referring it to the general ground of its reason: 30 ש Grace is deceit; and beauty, vanity - A wife that feareth Jahve, she shall be praised.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain,.... A well favoured look, a graceful countenance, symmetry and proportion of parts, natural or artificial beauty, are vain and deceitful; oftentimes under them lies an ill natured, deformed, and depraved mind; nor is the pleasure and satisfaction enjoyed as is promised along with these; and particularly how do they fade (e) and consume away by a fit of...
This portrait of virtue is not idle poetry; it teaches both women what they must become and men what they must seek. Mark how much hangs on the mothers, the piety and prosperity of entire households, the faith of generations to come. A man who means to prosper must reckon with his wife; her wisdom and goodness are the foundation.
AI summary
Commenting on Proverbs 31:10-31