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 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 wicked intentions He will condemn. 3A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. 5The thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver 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 wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
• Proverbs 19:13A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
• Proverbs 31:10Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
• 1 Corinthians 11:7For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.
• Proverbs 21:9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
• Proverbs 27:15A continual dripping on a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike;
• Proverbs 14:30A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.
• Habakkuk 3:16When I heard, my body trembled; My lips quivered at the voice; Rottenness entered my bones; And I trembled in myself, That I might rest in the day of trouble. When he comes up to the people, He will invade them with his troops.

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