Today’s scripture: Proverbs 31:10-17 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Tyler Connoley):
Ever since the translators of the King James Version called this woman “virtuous,” people have been talking about the virtuous wife of Proverbs 31. The New International Version (the most popular translation among Evangelical Christians) calls her “a wife of noble character.” The New Revised Standard Version (popular among scholars) calls her “a capable wife.” And the Catholic New Jerusalem Bible calls her “the truly capable woman.”
I believe all these translators are wrong — or at least don’t do justice to this woman. In Hebrew, the phrase used to name her is eshet chayil. The word eshet simply means “woman” (there is no word for wife in biblical Hebrew). The sticking point is how to translate chayil, the word that describes the woman.
When associated with men, chayil is understood to mean a man of strength, valor, or might. If it’s used as a noun, it’s often translated “army,” (for example, the chayil of pharaoh is “pharaoh’s army.”) When describing objects, chayil is thought to do with wealth and high value.
Only when describing a woman, do translators decide to translate chayil as virtuous, noble, and capable, because they can’t imagine a woman as strong, mighty, or valorous. An ish chayil could be a mighty man, but an eshet chayil must be a virtuous wife.
Of course, we know this isn’t true, and Proverbs 31 certainly describes a strong woman. She drives a hard bargain, and manages employees well. She works with her hands, and helps the poor. Within the context of her times, she is more than capable, she is mighty. In fact, she is just the sort of person I want to be. I want to be described as chayil!
Thought for the day: The writer of proverbs says an eshet chayil is hard to find. Are you willing to be one of the few? The world certainly needs more strong, mighty, and valorous women (and men).
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.