The Honorable Woman

Proverbs 31:26-29

When she speaks, her words are wise,

and she gives instructions with kindness.

She carefully watches everything in her household

and suffers nothing from laziness.

Her children stand and bless her.

Her husband praises her:

“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,

but you surpass them all!”

The Proverbs 31 woman is knowledgeable. About her job, possibly about world events, she is well-read and knows what’s going on around her. This verse is also likely referring to her teaching her children and her servant girls. It may also mean that she has good advice and that others come to her seeking her wisdom and gentle instruction. As a homeschool Mom, verse 26 makes me proud as a woman to know that she was teaching her children then as I teach my children today!



She is organized and she carries out her duties faithfully and energetically. She isn’t lazy or expecting others to carry her load. We all have a knapsack to carry through life. Nobody can carry our knapsack for us. There are times when we have great burdens in our lives and others will help us through those times. Those times are often considered to be burdens or boulders. House fires, victims of natural disasters, cancer, etc. Things like this are when we can come along beside our sister or brother and help them carry the boulder of life that’s too heavy for them to carry alone. However, general life is rarely a boulder. General life is what is put into our knapsack.

I first learned this concept from the book Boundaries by Cloud & Townsend. Here is a quote from the book:

“The Greek words for burden and load give us insight into the meaning of these texts. The Greek word for burden means “excess burdens,” or burdens that are so heavy that they weigh us down. These burdens are like boulders. They can crush us. We shouldn’t be expected to carry a boulder by ourselves! It would break our backs. We need help with the boulders – those times of crisis and tragedy in our lives.
In contrast, the Greek word for load means “cargo,” or “the burden of daily toil.” This word describes the everyday things we all need to do. These loads are like knapsacks. Knapsacks are possible to carry. We are expected to carry our own. We are expected to deal with our feelings, attitudes, and behaviors, as well as the responsibilities God has given to each one of us, even though it takes effort.
Problems arise when people act as if their “boulders” are daily loads, and refuse help, or as if their “daily loads” are boulders they shouldn’t have to carry. The results of these two instances are either perpetual pain or irresponsibility.” (Cloud)

pic credit travel-ticker.com 

We must learn to carry our own knapsacks and the excellent wife does this and does it well. In doing so, she is taking responsibility for herself, her family, her actions, her work, and her daily tasks.

I read in one commentary that “This woman is not a doormat, slavishly trying to appease and please her family, no matter how unreasonable their demands. She is honored in her home. Here we gain an insight into the character of her husband as well. He teaches their children to respect her and the virtues she personifies.” (Price)


I’ve heard women who aren’t Christians to say that women aren’t respected in the bible. These comments are from women who are feminists in every sense of the word. They’ve obviously not read the bible, in my opinion. I’ve heard these women say that women had no rights and weren't treated well. I think it’s important to understand the context of this day in time. Women weren’t held in the same regard socially and politically like they are today. The social status of women were different than they are now. In addition to many scriptures where Jesus loves the women during this day.. I love to look in the Old Testament and see that this excellent wife is loved, respected, highly regarded, and honored in her home!

From The Heart of the Home

We as women all want to be honored and held in high esteem within our homes and among our families. I love that we can learn how to be honorable from this beautiful woman. Let me say that this doesn't mean we have to attain perfection. There is no such thing. Beauty comes from our relationship with Jesus and that's what my next post will be about!  For now, let's ponder on this idea of being an honorable woman!