Proverbs 12:4
ContextNETBible | A noble wife 1 is the crown 2 of her husband, but the wife 3 who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones. 4 |
XREF | Pr 14:1; Pr 14:30; Pr 19:13,14; Pr 21:9,19; Pr 27:15,16; Pr 31:10-25; Hab 3:16; 1Co 11:7,11 |
NET © Notes |
1 tn Heb “a wife of virtue”; NAB, NLT “a worthy wife.” This noble woman (אֵשֶׁת־חַיִל, ’shet-khayil) is the subject of Prov 31. She is a “virtuous woman” (cf. KJV), a capable woman of noble character. She is contrasted with the woman who is disgraceful (מְבִישָׁה, mÿvishah; “one who causes shame”) or who lowers his standing in the community. 2 sn The metaphor of the “crown” emphasizes that such a wife is a symbol of honor and glory. 3 tn Heb “she”; the referent (the wife) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 4 sn The simile means that the shameful acts of such a woman will eat away her husband’s strength and influence and destroy his happiness. |