Proverbs - 31:25



25 Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Proverbs 31:25.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.
Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth at the coming day.
Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Strength and honour are her clothing, And she rejoiceth at a latter day.
Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.
Strength and elegance are her clothing, and she will laugh in the final days.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Shall rejoice in time to come - Better, rejoiceth over the time to come; i. e., looks forward to the future, not with anxious care, but with confident gladness.

(m) Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
(m) After he had spoken of the apparel of the body, he now declares the apparel of the spirit.

Strength and honour are her clothing,.... Strength, not of body, but of mind. The church is clothed with strength, as her Lord, head, and husband, is said to be, Psalm 93:1; and which she has from him; for though she is the weaker vessel, and weak in herself, yet is strong in him; and is able to bear and do all things, with a fortitude of mind to withstand every enemy, and persevere in well doing: and she is clothed with "honour"; with honourable garments, suitable to her rank and dignity; in cloth of gold, in raiment of needlework; with the garments of salvation, and the robe of righteousness;
and she shall rejoice in time to come; Aben Ezra interprets it of old age, or of the world to come; and Jarchi and Gersom of the day of death: having fulness of food and clothing, she is not afraid of want in old age, or in any time of distress that may come; and having a good name, laughs at death, and departs in peace; so these interpreters. The church of Christ fears no want at any time, nor need any of her members; they have a clothing that never waxes old, a righteousness that will answer for them in a time to come; their bread is given, and their waters are sure; they shall want no good thing; all their need is supplied from Christ; they have hope in their death, and rejoice then and sing, "O death, where is thy sting?" 1-Corinthians 15:55; they will have confidence in the day of judgment, and not be ashamed; shall come to Zion with everlasting joy; and shall rejoice with Christ, angels and saints, to all eternity.

Strength and honour--Strong and beautiful is her clothing; or, figuratively, for moral character, vigorous and honorable.
shall rejoice . . . come--in confidence of certain maintenance.

The description is now more inward:
25 ע Strength and honour is her clothing;
Thus she laugheth at the future day.
She is clothed with עז, strength, i.e., power over the changes of temporal circumstances, which easily shatter and bring to ruin a household resting on less solid foundations; clothed with הדר, glory, i.e., elevation above that which is low, little, common, a state in which they remain who propose to themselves no high aim after which they strive with all their might: in other words, her raiment is just pride, true dignity, with which she looks confidently into the future, and is armed against all sorrow and care. The connection of ideas, עז והדר (defectively written, on the contrary, at Psalm 84:6, Masora, and only there written plene, and with Munach), instead of the frequent הוד והדר, occurs only here. The expression 25b is like Job 39:7, wherefore Hitzig rightly compares Job 24:14 to 25a. יום אחרון, distinguished from אחרית, and incorrectly interpreted (Rashi) of the day of death, is, as at Isaiah 30:8, the future, here that which one at a later period may enter upon.

Strength - Strength of mind, magnanimity, courage, activity. Her clothing - Her ornament and glory. Rejoice - She lives in constant tranquillity of mind, from a just confidence in God's gracious providence.

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