Who is the Proverbs 31 Woman?

You may have heard about the Proverbs 31 woman but do you really know who she is? As we prepare for our upcoming online Bible study “Worth More Than Rubies,” I give a biblical understanding of who the Proverbs 31 woman actually is in today's video. Enjoy!

As I’m preparing for our next online Bible study called “Worth More Than Rubies” about the Proverbs 31 woman I wanted to answer a very important question in today’s video. Who is the Proverbs 31 Woman? 

The Proverbs 31 woman is the woman described in the book of Proverbs chapter 31 verses 10-31. 

The Passage starts with:

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. (Proverbs 31:10 NIV)

The scripture goes on to outline the life and character of this woman and ends with the popular verses Proverbs 31:29 and 30:

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;  but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:29-30 NIV)

I’m not going to read the entire passage on this video but after watching I do suggest you read for yourself the Proverbs 31 woman passage found in Proverbs 31 verses 10-31.

The entire chapter of Proverbs 31 was written by King Lemuel. Some scholars believe King Lemuel was actually King Solomon. Some believe he was King Hezekiah and some believe he was a fictional person made up by King Solomon to express the wisdom he received from his mother Bathsheba. It’s not completely clear exactly who King Lemuel is but we do know that this chapter is a poem written by him that shares the advice he has received from his mother on how to lead as king.

Proverbs 31 verses 10-31 specifically detail the advice King Lemuel has received from his mother on what to look for in a queen. So the Proverbs 31 woman was not an actual historical person, but the ideal woman a mother would want for her son. Now that may make the example of the Proverbs 31 woman seem even more unrealistic and unattainable, but we know that all scripture is inspired by God including Proverbs 31. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)

So when we approach the Proverbs 31 woman passage, we need to keep in mind that God has it in the canon of scripture for a reason. The Proverbs 31 woman does not provide an exact prescription for womanhood, but instead wisdom on how to live a Godly life. A life that can only be lived by one whose faith and trust is in God. When reading any scripture, we have to remember that they all point us to Christ and the Proverbs 31 passage is no different.

So who is the Proverbs 31 woman? Well, she’s any woman who has a surrendered heart to God and devoted her life to following Christ. She’s not perfect, but she’s faithful to follow her perfect God on any journey He would call her to. 

Now I’d love to hear from you. In the comments let me know, what do you think about the Proverbs 31 woman, is this your first time hearing about her? does she inspire you? does she intimidate you? Let’s chat in the comments.

If you are interested in learning more about the Proverbs 31 woman, and what it means to practically live as a woman of virtue, I want to invite you to my next video Bible study series called “Worth More than Rubies: A Grace-filled Bible Study on the 7 Virtues of the Proverbs 31 Woman.” 

We are going in-depth with not only what the virtues are, but how we can gracefully and practically live them out as modern Christian women.

Our study “Worth More Than Rubies” starts February 2021. You can learn more and join today at www.belovedwomen.org/rubies so you don’t miss out on this encouraging and practical study of the Proverbs 31 woman with your Beloved sisters all over the world. 

I look forward to studying “Worth More Than Rubies” with you.