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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.

Context of Proverbs 12:4

2A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns. 3No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. 5The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

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 14:1The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.
• Proverbs 19:13A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.
• Proverbs 31:10An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
• 1 Corinthians 11:7For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man.
• Proverbs 21:9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
• Proverbs 27:15A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;
• Proverbs 14:30A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
• Habakkuk 3:16I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade 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