Amplified Bible
Proverbs 31:30
30Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
- New International Version (NIV)Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Context of Proverbs 31:30
28Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired); Her husband also, and he praises her, saying, 29“Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], But you excel them all.” Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised. 31Give her of the product of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city].
Read all of Proverbs 31Proverbs 31:30 word by word
שֶׁ֣קֶר הַ֭חֵן וְהֶ֣בֶל הַיֹּ֑פִי אִשָּׁ֥ה יִרְאַת־יְ֝הוָ֗ה הִ֣יא תִתְהַלָּֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 31:30
- Proverbs 6:25Do not desire (lust after) her beauty in your heart, Nor let her capture you with her eyelashes.
- Proverbs 11:22As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a beautiful woman who is without discretion [her lack of character mocks her beauty].
- 2 Samuel 14:25Now in all Israel there was no man as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised [for that]; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
- Esther 1:11to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown (high turban), to display her beauty before the people and the officials, for she was lovely to see.
- Ezekiel 16:15“But you trusted in and relied on your beauty and prostituted yourself [in idolatry and its debauched rituals] because of your fame, and you poured out your immoralities on every [willing] passer-by and your beauty was his [as you worshiped the idols of the Gentile nations].
- James 1:11For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away; so too will the rich man, in the midst of his pursuits, fade away.
- 1 Peter 1:24For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers And the flower falls off,
- Proverbs 1:7The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.
- Proverbs 8:13The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes the hatred of evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, And the perverted mouth, I hate.
- Exodus 1:17But the midwives feared God [with profound reverence] and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded, but they let the boy babies live.
- Psalms 147:11The Lord favors those who fear and worship Him [with awe-inspired reverence and obedience], Those who wait for His mercy and lovingkindness.
- Luke 1:6They both were righteous (approved) in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.
- 1 Peter 3:4but let it be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, [one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature] which is very precious in the sight of God.
- Ecclesiastes 7:18It is good that you take hold of one thing (righteousness) and also not let go of the other (wisdom); for the one who fears and worships God [with awe-filled reverence] will come forth with both of them.
- Ecclesiastes 12:13When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person.
- Romans 2:29But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and [true] circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by [the fulfillment of] the letter [of the Law]. His praise is not from men, but from God.
Commentaries on Proverbs 31:30
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 30Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, etc. - III. Here is the summing up of the character. 1. Favour, חן chen, grace of manner may be deceitful, many a fair appearance of this kind is put on, assumed for certain secular or more unworthy purposes; it is learned by painful drilling in polished seminaries, and, being the effect of mere physical discipline, it continues while the restraint lasts; but it is שקר sheker, a lie, a mere semblance, an outward…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 30The last lesson of the book is the same as the first. The fear of the Lord is the condition of all womanly, as well as of all manly, excellence. sa180Read 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. 30-31The book ends as it started, emphasizing the importance of fearing the Lord (see Proverbs 1:7). A woman's character matters more than her physical beauty.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 31:30
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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