Proverbs 12:4

Proverbs 12:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
• New International Version (NIV)A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
• English Standard Version (ESV)An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
• New King James Version (NKJV)An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.

Context of Proverbs 12:4

2The Lord helps good people. But he punishes people who want to do evil things. 3No one can use wicked things to make himself safe. But a righteous person has strong roots. A good wife will bring honour to her husband, like a crown. But a wife who brings shame to her husband will take away his strength. 5Righteous people want to do things that are right. But do not trust the advice of wicked people. 6The words of wicked people are like a trap that will kill good people. But the words of honest people will save people's lives.

Proverbs 12:4 word by word

אֵֽשֶׁת־חַ֭יִל עֲטֶ֣רֶת בַּעְלָ֑הּ וּכְרָקָ֖ב בְּעַצְמוֹתָ֣יו מְבִישָֽׁה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A virtuousחַ֫יִלchayil · strength: worthyH2428
• womanאִשָּׁה'ishshâh nâshîym · woman: wifeH802
• a crownעֲטָרָה‛ăţârâh · crownH5850
• to her husbandבַּעַלba‛al · master: husbandH1167
• but she that maketh ashamedבּוֹשׁbûsh · be ashamedH954
• as rottennessרָקָבrâqâb · rottennessH7538
• in his bonesעֶ֫צֶם‛etsem · boneH6106

Cross-references for Proverbs 12:4

• Proverbs 14:1Every wise woman makes her home strong. But a foolish woman destroys her home with her own hands.
• Proverbs 19:13A foolish child will destroy his father. A woman who quarrels with her husband is like rain that never stops.
• Proverbs 31:10How difficult it is to find a wife who is truly wise! She is worth much more than valuable jewels.
• 1 Corinthians 11:7Men show what God is like and they show how great God is. So a man should not cover his head in your meetings. But a woman shows how great men are.
• Proverbs 21:9It is better to live on the roof of your house than to live with a wife who always argues.
• Proverbs 27:15A wife who is always arguing with you is as bad as rain that never stops falling.
• Proverbs 14:30If you have peace in your mind, your body will be healthy. But if you are jealous, it will eat away your body.
• Habakkuk 3:16I listened to this and I was very afraid. My lips shook with fear when I heard the sound. My bones became weak. My legs would not let me walk. But I will be patient. I will wait for the day of trouble that will come. Yes, punishment will come to the people who are attacking us.

Commentaries on Proverbs 12:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband - חיל אשת esheth chayil, a strong woman. Our word virtue (virtus) is derived from vir, a man; and as man is the noblest of God's creatures, virtue expresses what is becoming to man; what is noble, courageous, and dignified: and as vir, a man, comes from vis, power or strength; so it implies what is strong and vigorous in principle: and as in uncivilized life strength and courage were considered the very highest…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Virtuous - The word implies the virtue of earnestness, or strength of character, rather than of simple chastity. A crown - With the Jews the sign, not of kingly power only, but also of joy and gladness. Compare Song of Song of Solomon 3:11 .Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4Verse 4 A wife who is pious, prudent, and looks well to the ways of her household, who makes conscience of her duty, and can bear crosses; such a one is an honour and comfort to her husband. She that is the reverse of this, preys upon him, and consumes him.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4In other parts of Proverbs, a crown represents: Wealth (Proverbs 14:24) Long life (Proverbs 16:31) Grandchildren (17:6) decay (literally rot): A disgraceful wife is a serious and life-threatening issue.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. A virtuous woman--in the wide sense of well-disposed to all moral duties (Pr 31:10). maketh ashamed--that is, by misconduct. rottenness--an incurable evil.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 12:4

• Family
• Wife
• Women

In the dictionaries

• Crown
• Cruel
• Happen
• Heaviness
• Pathway
• Poetry
• Reproof
• Vain
• Bone; Bones
• Proverb

Commentaries on Proverbs 12

• 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings