God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 31:20
20She opens her hands to oppressed people and stretches them out to needy people.
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 she is making a good profit. Her lamp burns late at night. 19“She puts her hands on the distaff, and her fingers hold a spindle. She opens her hands to oppressed people and stretches them out to needy people. 21She does not fear for her family when it snows because her whole family has a double layer of clothing. 22She makes quilts for herself. Her clothes are ⌞made of⌟ linen and purple cloth.
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 1:24“I called, and you refused to listen. I stretched out my hands to you, and no one paid attention.
- Romans 10:21Then Isaiah said about Israel, “All day long I have stretched out my hands to disobedient and rebellious people.”
- Proverbs 19:17Whoever has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his good deed.
- Proverbs 22:9Whoever is generous will be blessed because he has shared his food with the poor.
- Job 31:16“If I have refused the requests of the poor or made a widow’s eyes stop ⌞looking for help⌟,
- Psalms 41:1Blessed is the one who has concern for helpless people. The Lord will rescue him in times of trouble.
- Psalms 112:9He gives freely to poor people. His righteousness continues forever. His head is raised in honor.
- Ecclesiastes 11:1Throw your bread on the surface of the water, because you will find it again after many days.
- Mark 14:7You will always have the poor with you and can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have me with you.
- Acts 9:39So Peter went with them. When he arrived, he was taken upstairs. All the widows stood around him. They were crying and showing Peter the articles of clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
- Acts 20:34You know that I worked to support myself and those who were with me.
- Ephesians 4:28Thieves must quit stealing and, instead, they must work hard. They should do something good with their hands so that they’ll have something to share with those in need.
- Hebrews 13:16Don’t forget to do good things for others and to share what you have with them. These are the kinds of sacrifices that please 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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