Amplified Bible
Proverbs 31:20
20She opens and extends her hand to the poor, And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.
Proverbs 31:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
- New International Version (NIV)She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
- English Standard Version (ESV)She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
- New King James Version (NKJV)She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
Context of Proverbs 31:20
18She sees that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night [she is prepared for whatever lies ahead]. 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle [as she spins wool into thread for clothing]. She opens and extends her hand to the poor, And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy. 21She does not fear the snow for her household, For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool]. 22She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool].
Read all of Proverbs 31Proverbs 31:20 word by word
כַּ֭פָּהּ פָּרְשָׂ֣ה לֶעָנִ֑י וְ֝יָדֶ֗יהָ שִׁלְּחָ֥ה לָֽאֶבְיֽוֹן׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 31:20
- Proverbs 1:24Because I called and you refused [to answer], I stretched out my hand and no one has paid attention [to my offer];
- Romans 10:21But of Israel he says, “All day long I have stretched out My hands [in compassion] to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
- Proverbs 19:17He who is gracious and lends a hand to the poor lends to the Lord, And the Lord will repay him for his good deed.
- Proverbs 22:9He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor.
- Job 31:16“If I have withheld from the poor what they desired, Or have caused the eyes of the widow to look in vain [for relief],
- Psalms 41:1Blessed [by God’s grace and compassion] is he who considers the helpless; The Lord will save him in the day of trouble.
- Psalms 112:9He has given freely to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted in honor.
- Ecclesiastes 11:1Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, [be diligently active, make thoughtful decisions], for you will find it after many days.
- Mark 14:7For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do something good to them; but you will not always have Me.
- Acts 9:39So Peter got up [at once] and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upstairs room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing [him] all the tunics and robes that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.
- Acts 20:34You know personally that these hands ministered to my own needs [working in manual labor] and to [those of] the people who were with me.
- Ephesians 4:28The thief [who has become a believer] must no longer steal, but instead he must work hard [making an honest living], producing that which is good with his own hands, so that he will have something to share with those in need.
- Hebrews 13:16Do not neglect to do good, to contribute [to the needy of the church as an expression of fellowship], for such sacrifices are always pleasing to God.
Commentaries on Proverbs 31:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor - 11. She is truly charitable. She knows that in every portion of a man's gain God requires a lot for the poor; and if this is not given, God's blessing is not in the rest. And she is not contented to give common alms. While with one hand (יד yad ) she relieves the general poor, with both hands (ידיה yadeyha ) she gives to the needy, לעני leaney, to the afflicted poor.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20The industry is not selfish, but bears the fruit of an open-handed charity.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-31Verses 10-31 This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her. 1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good. 2. She is one that takes pains in her…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-21A virtuous wife is generous to the poor, which is also a trait of wise people (Proverbs 11:24–26; 21:13; 22:9, 16, 22–23; 28:27).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 10-3110-31. This exquisite picture of a truly lovely wife is conceived and drawn in accordance with the customs of Eastern nations, but its moral teachings suit all climes. In Hebrew the verses begin with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order (compare Introduction to Poetical Books). Who ... woman--The question implies that such are rare, though not entirely wanting (compare Pr 18:22; 19:14). virtuous--literally, "of strength," that is, moral courage…Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 31:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 31
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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