The Virtuous Wife - אשת חיל

Eshet Chail – אשת חיל

INTRODUCTION

Proverbs 31:10-31 is read liturgically by many Jews as part of the sanctification of every Shabbat.  As it appears in English translation, this passage praises the ideal wife who is ubiquitous in her capabilities and activities.  In the Hebrew text, the passage is written as an acrostic poem – that is, the first letter in each line presents the Hebrew alphabet in order.  As a result of this formal requirement for an acrostic poem, sometimes word order is out of the normal sequence.  Also, the use of verb forms within the text is not what one would expect based on English translations.  For example, the entire passage of the Hebrew text contains 41 verb forms – 18 perfect forms, 9 imperfect forms, 9 imperfect forms with vav consecutive, 3 participles, 1 infinitive, 1 imperative, and 4 verbless clauses.  The NASB English translation contains 42 present tense forms, 2 future forms, 1 past form, and 1 imperative form.  This difference in verbal forms could imply that the originally intended message of this passage is somewhat different from that generally assumed from translations.      

ANALYSIS

.Hr;k]mi µynIynIP]mi qjor:w“ ax;myI ymi lyIj'Atveae 10

    A woman of substance who can find?  Her value is greater than anything else (lit corals, pearls).

lyIj'Atveae This is the direct object of the verb.  Ordinarily placing the direct object before the verb indicates emphasis; however, this was done because of the structural requirement of the acrostic form.  The term lyIj' has a variety of uses and is frequently translated by strength, efficiency, wealth, army.  This description of a man implies a person having personal strength and influence such as Boaz in the book of Ruth or David's mighty men of valor (גבור חיל).  The LXX uses the adjective ανδρειαν for חיל, which, when used of a woman, means courageous.

ax;myI ymi   ymi is either an interrogative pronoun (who?) or an indefinite pronoun (whoever).  ax;myI is a 3ms qal imperfect form from the root מצא.  This root occurs 457 times in the bible, and the qal form has the following meanings: find (out), reach, obtain, achieve.  The significance of find can have the implication of discovering something hidden or not obvious.  The imperfect form here indicates habitual or customary action, which is a common force for proverbs. 

Hr;k]mi µynIynIP]mi qjor:w“ This is a verbless clause, and the terms used are peculiar.  qjor:": is an adjective meaning distant in either space or time, but here it is used in a comparative structure having nothing to do with either space or time.  µynIynIP] is a plural noun meaning pearls or corals, and the combination µynIynIP]mi qjor: is a comparative construction. The implication is that the value of lyIj'Atveae exceeds that of the most precious or rare of material things.  Verses 11 through 30 elaborate this assertion.

There are two possible translations of this verse – the one presented above or Whoever finds a woman of substance, her value is greater than anything else.

.rs;j]y< aOl ll;v;w“ Hl;[]B' ble HB; jf'B; 11

    The heart of her husband trusted her, and he does not lack gain (lit booty).

rs;j]y< - jf'B; The first verb form is perfect and the second is imperfect.  Such a combination is peculiar because of the differences in meaning of the two forms.  Several interpretive possibilities exist:

·      The perfect form jf'B; was used to fit the demands of the acrostic format; however, the choice of a perfect form was not obligatory.  The author could just as easily have chosen an infinitive or participle form of the same root, or he could have begun the verse with HB;.

·      jf'B; is used as an experience or an instantaneous perfect, both of which can be used to express a "present tense" idea.  That is, an experience is a complete event as soon as it occurs and so corresponds to the semantic range of a perfect form.

·     If jf'B; is understood as a perfect of completed action, then rs;j]y< could be understood as a potential imperfect (might lack) or obligative imperfect (could lack).

·    rs;j]y< might be understood as a jussive form (lacked) or as progressive past (was lacking), making the entire passage an expression of completed action in the mind of the author.  (The existence of the jussive form in classical Hebrew is still debated by scholars, and generally its vocalization is not identical to that of the imperfect.)

·      The perfect verb sets the scene as involving completed action; the imperfect verb describes habitual or progressive action within that scene.      

ll;v; This is a masculine noun whose primary meanings are booty, spoil, plunder.  The term appears 74 times in the bible, and in almost every case it refers to gain from violent activity.  Here the term is generally translated by gain, but the normal significance of the term should not be ignored.  In this case, the booty was gained without effort or enterprise on the part of the husband.

.hyY<j' ymey“ lKo [r:AaOlw“ b/f Wht]l'm;G] 12

    She repaid him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Wht]l'm;G] This again is a perfect form with a 3ms suffix as direct object.  Possibilities for understanding the significance of the form are the similar to those listed above for the previous verse, except instantaneous perfect is no longer possible.  If the form is understood as a perfect of completed action, then the entire poem takes the form of a eulogy for a person whose life is now past.

[r:AaOlw“ b/f Both of these terms are used as nouns and adjectives without any difference in spelling or pronunciation.  Whatever is described as b/f is desirable and the everything opposite of that is [r:.

 

hyY<j' ymey“ lKo This is a construct chain composed of three elements, and because the last element is definite (her life) the entire phrase is definite.  The term lKo can mean all or every, but because ymey“ is a plural form the phrase can only mean all of the days of her life rather than every day of her life.  This phrase establishes the sense of the perfect verb form as completed action.

.h;yP,K' 6p,jeB] c['T'w" µyTiv]piW rm,x, hv;r“D: 13

    She sought out flax and wool, and she prepared (them) with the delight of her hands.

c['T'w" - hv;r“D: The first form is a 3fs perfect, and the second is a 3fs imperfect with vav consecutive.  The first form might have been selected due to the demands of the acrostic poetry style, but there is no such justification for the vav consecutive verb form.  Both forms would normally refer to completed actions (past, present, or future) in the mind of the author.

h;yP,K' 6p,jeB] c['T'w" This clause is difficult due to the broad semantic range of the verb and the ambiguity of the construct chain.  The verb root עשה can mean do, make, prepare, provide, and all of these senses require a direct object to form a complete statement.  In this case, the direct object is implied by the wool and flax from the first clause.  BDB explains this use of  6p,je as descriptive of an activity in which one takes delight.  This might be paraphrased as She prepared them with delight in her manual labor.

.Hm;j]l' aybiT; qj;r“M,mi rje/s t/YnIaÜK; ht;y“h; 14

    She was (became) like ships of trade – she brings (was bringing) her sustenance (lit bread) from far off.

aybiT; - ht;y“h;      Again, this is a 3fs perfect followed by a 3fs imperfect form.  The interpretive options are the same as those listed for verse 12.

rje/s     This a qal ms participle from a root meaning travel about.  The participle form became the occupational name for a trader, or in this case a cargo vessel.

qj;r“M, This is a relatively uncommon noun that was used to identify any unspecified distant place.

.h;yt,ro[}n"l] qjow“ Ht;ybel] 5r<f, ˆTetiw"" hl;y“l' d/[B] µq;T;w"" 15

    And she arose while still night, and she gave food (lit prey) to her household and a portion for her maid servants.

ˆTetiw"" - µq;T;w""   Both verb forms are 3fs imperfects with vav consecutive.  The first form might be explained as a requirement of the acrostic poetic structure, but no such rationale exists for the second verb.  Both forms normally refer to completed actions, but the temporal connection must be inferred from context.  Regular habitual action would be expressed either by participles or imperfect without vav consecutive.

5r<f, This is an ms noun that is commonly translated in this passage as food, but it is normally used to describe the torn prey of a carnivorous beast.  The choice of this term for food is at least peculiar.  The resulting image is that of a mother animal distributing meat from the prey she has caught to her young.

qjo This term is usually used for law, statute, ordinance.  Here it is used for the prescribed amount due to another, in this case her female servants.

.µr<K' [;f]n: h;yP,k' yrIP]mi WhjeQ;Tiw" hd<c; hm;m]z: 16

    She considered a field and acquired it; from the fruit of her hands she planted a vineyard.

[;f]n: - WhjeQ;Tiw" - hm;m]z: The verb forms are 3fs perfect, 3fs imperfect with vav consecutive and a 3ms pronominal suffix, and 3fs perfect (written without final h.  All three forms normally refer to completed actions.  Temporal relation of the action must be inferred from context.

h;yP,k' yrIP]mi This expression could have two different interpretations: Either From her profits she planted a vineyard or planting the vineyard was the fruit of her hands.  My personal preference is the latter option.

.h;yt,/[roz“ 6Mea'T]w" h;yn<t]m; z/[b] hr:g“j; 17

    She girded her loins with might, and she strengthened her arms.

6Mea'T]w" - hr:n“j; The verb forms are 3fs perfect and 3fs imperfect with vav consecutive.  Both forms express completed action.

.Hr;nE l;y“L'b'' hB,k]yIAaOl Hr:j]s' b/fAyKi hm;['f; 18

    She perceived that her gain was good; her lamp is not extinguished (was not being extinguished) by night.

hB,k]yIAaOl - hm;['f; The verb forms are 3fs perfect and negated 3ms imperfect.  The imperfect form could express habitual action in the past timeframe or past progressive action.

Hr:j]s' This is an ms noun with 3fs pronominal suffix.  The term refers to profits made from trading or other activities.

.Ël,p; Wkm]T; h;yP,k'w r/vyKiib' hj;L]vi h;yd<y: 19

    She sent out her hands with the distaff, and her palms grasp (were grasping) the spindle.

Wkm]T; - hj;L]vi Verb forms are 3fs perfect and 3fp imperfect.

.ˆ/yb]a,l; hj;L]vi h;yd<yw“ ynI[;l, hc;r“P; HP;K' 20

    She spread out her palm to the poor, and she extended her hands to the needy.

hj;L]vi - hc;r“P; Verb forms are both 3fs perfect, expressing completed action.

.µynIv; vbul; Ht;yBeAlko yKii gl,v;mii Ht;ybel] ar:ytiAaOl 21

    She does not fear snow for her household, for all her house are (were) dressed with scarlet.

vbul; - ar:ytiAaOl Verb forms are 3fs imperfect with negation and ms passive participle.  This sequence of verb forms is distinctively different from those noted in the preceding verses.  Since neither verb form implies a particular temporal relationship, this aspect must be inferred from context.  

.Hv;Wbl] ˆm;G:ra'w“ vve HL;Aht;c][; µyDIb'r“m' 22

    She made coverlets for herself; her clothing was fine linen and purple.

ht;c][; Verb form is 3fs perfect; the second half of the verse is a verbless clause. 

ˆm;G:ra'w“ vve Fine linen and purple cloth were used to make the garments of the very wealthy.  This may be intended as hyperbole as stated in verse 10b.  The second clause has no verb form, so its temporal relation is governed by ht;c][;.

.6r<a;AynEq]ziIAµ[i /Tb]viB] Hl;[]B' µyrI[;V]B' [d:/n 23

    Her husband is known in the gates when he sits with elders of the land.

/Tb]viB] - [d:/n Verb forms are ms niphal participle and qal infinitive construct with prepositional prefix and 3ms pronominal suffix.  Neither verb form implies any particular temporal relation, but they express habitual action.

.yniI[}n"K]l' hn:t]n: r/gj}w" rKomTiw" ht;c][; ˆydIs; 24

    She made and sold a fine linen garment, and she delivered a belt to the merchant (lit Canaanite).

hn:t]n: - rKomTiw" - ht;c][; Verb forms are 3fs perfect, 3fs imperfect with vav consecutive, and 3fs perfect, all of which express completed action.

ˆydIs; This is the term for a fine linen garment worn as an outer garment during the day or as a sole garment at night.

r/gj}w" This term refers to a sash or girdle worn at the waste to secure the outer garment. It could be used to support a sword, or it could be merely decorative.  The form here is singular, but it could be understood as collective.

yniI[}n"K]l' Literally, to the Canaanite.  It is suggested in BDB that this term became a common term for a merchant.

.ˆ/rj}a' µ/yl] qj'c]Tiw" Hv;Wbl] rd:h;wAz[o 25

    Strength and splendor were her clothing, so she laughed at the last day.

Hv;Wbl] rd:h;wAz[o This is a verbless clause.  Because no verb form is present, the time frame of the clause must be derived from the context, which is mostly perfect.

qj'c]Tiw" The verb form is 3fs imperfect with vav consecutive.

ˆ/rj}a' µ/yl] qj'c]Tiw" The verb root means laugh, and it often includes the implication of derision or scorn.  When the verbal complement is introduced by ל, the verb can imply have no fear of.  The combination ˆ/rj}a' µ/y has a variety of uses, but in this context it appears to be a general and unspecified reference to the days ahead.  The verb – qj'c]Tiw" – is in a form implying completed action.  The expression indicates that she had no fear of what the future might bring.

.Hn:/vl]Al[' ds,j,Atr"/tw“ hm;k]j;b] hj;t]P; h;yPii 26

    Her mouth opened with wisdom, and the instruction of kindness was on her tongue.

hj;t]P; This is a 3fs perfect form; the second half of the verse is a verbless clause.

hm;k]j; This term refers to skill in living rather than the concept of wisdom that is common today.  Consequently, when she opened her mouth, she spoke skillfully and to the point at issue.

ds,j,Atr"/t The term hr"/t primarily means instruction.  ds,j, has a variety of uses depending on context.  Here it probably means kindness.

.lkeaot lao tWlx][' µj,l,w Ht;yBe t/kylih} hY:pi/x 27

    She was one keeping watch on the activities of her household, and she does not eat (was not eating) the bread of idleness.

lkeaot - hY:pi/x Verb forms are fs participle and 3fs imperfect.    The participle is timeless; the imperfect implies incomplete or continuing action without reference to time frame.

t/kylih} This term literally means goings and can refer to traveling or general activities or practices.

.Hl;l]h'y“w" Hl;[]B' h;WrV]a'y“w" h;yn<b; Wmq; 28

    Her sons arose and proclaimed her blessed; her husband, and he praised her.

Hl;l]h'y“w" - h;WrV]a'y“w" - Wmq; Verb forms are 3ms perfect and two 3ms imperfect forms with vav consecutive and 3fs pronominal suffix.  All forms represent completed action.

h;WrV]a'y“ This is a piel imperfect from the root אשר and is usually translated as happy or blessed.  The root refers to positive experiences of life that are the natural consequence or result of the choices made by the individual in question.  This is different from ברך, which refers to the pronouncement or bestowal of blessing by someone else.

Hl;l]h'y“w" Hl;[]B' This clause consists of a noun and an imperfect with vav consecutive.  However, according to standard rules of grammar, the vav consecutive form must always be the first word in its clause.  The arrangement here is highly irregular, and it is the only example I am aware of.  According to the Masoretic accents, Hl;[]B' is separated from the verb by a major disjunction, implying that it should be read alone and not as the subject of this verb.  The resulting intent of the poem should be Her husband (arose), and he praised her.

.hn:L;KuAl[' tyli[; T]a'w lyIjiJ' Wc[; t/nB; t/Br" 29

    Many daughters have done nobly, but you arose over them all.

tyli[; - Wc[; Verb forms are 3cp perfect and 2fs perfect.  The second verb form could be rendered by a simple past in English or by some perfect form, depending on how one understands the overall context of the poem.

.lL;h't]ti ayhi hwhyAta'ryI hV;aii ypiiYOh' lb,h, ˆjeeh'' rq,v, 30

    Grace is false and beauty is illusory, (but) a woman having the fear of YHWH should be praised.

hwhyAta'ryI hV;aii This is typically translated as a verbal clause, but it is really a verbless clause composed of hV;aii followed by a construct chain.  The subject of the clause is ayhi, and this clause is in apposition providing specific identification of who she is.

lL;h't]ti Verb form is hitpael 3fs imperfect.  The hithpael stem is typically either reflexive or passive in force.  BDB suggests a passive meaning, be praised, but the reflexive glorifies herself should be considered possible.  The previous verses can be most easily understood as having completed action as the primary basis, but this verse is timeless.  Whenever such a person is found, she should be praised.  Alternatively, the second clause could be translated a woman having the fear of YHWH glorifies herself. 

.h;yc,[}m' µyrI[;V]b' h;Wll]h'ywI h;yd<y: yrIP]mi Hl;AWnT] 31

    Give her from the fruit of her hands, and her deeds will praise her in the gates.

h;Wll]h'ywI - WnT] Verb forms are mp imperative and 3mp imperfect with vav conjunction and 3fs suffix.

h;yd<y: yrIP]mi Hl;AWnT] The exact sense of this clause is difficult to establish due to the extremely broad semantic range of the root נתן.  The article for this root in BDB covers four full pages with seven columns for the qal stem alone.  The common translation of give does not fit particularly well, because the verb is transitive and the clause provides no direct object.  The second clause provides a hint concerning the missing element: praise.  The resulting sense is Give her praise because of the fruit of her hands.

h;yd<y: yrIP]mi The fruit of her hands summarizes all of the deeds recounted in the previous 20 verses, and this is repeated by the term h;yc,[}m'.  The force of the preposition on yrIP]mi  is probably causative – because of the fruit of her hands.

I compared the verb usage in the LXX and the Aramaic targum with that of the Hebrew text.  The verb structure of the Greek language is far more complex than that of the Semitic languages, and I did not find any consistent pattern in the translation of the verbs to Greek forms.  In contrast, the verb structure of Aramaic is similar to that of Hebrew except the vocalization patterns are somewhat different and there is nothing like the vav consecutive construction.  I found that the Aramaic generally translates every perfect and every vav consecutive construction by a perfect form, but nearly all of the imperfect forms have been replaced by participles.  The latter characteristic is consistent with Palestinian Aramaic in which the use of the imperfect was significantly restricted.  Otherwise the Aramaic text is very close to that of the Hebrew with few deviations or additions.

My Translation

The text below is my translation based on the above analysis of the text.  I have consistently rendered all perfect forms and all vav consecutive forms as completed action in the past.  Verbless clauses, participles, and infinitives have been translated based on the dominant time frame of the context.  Imperfect forms have been translated as habitual action in the past.  Verses 10, 30, and 31 are exceptions; these verses are gnomic – timeless – in force.  In those several instances noted as having peculiar vocabulary choices I have used the more common meaning of the terms involved.  The major question remaining is What is the purpose or intent of the poem?  In my opinion there are two possibilities:

·      This is a eulogy for a particular remarkable woman.

·      The poem describes God's original design intention for Adam's helper.

.Hr;k]mi µynIynIP]mi qjor:w“ ax;myI ymi lyIj'Atveae 10

Anyone who finds a wife of substance -- Her value surpasses anything else.

.rs;j]y< aOl ll;v;w“ Hl;[]B' ble HB; jf'B; 11

The heart of her husband trusted her, and he was not lacking booty.

.hyY<j' ymey“ lKo [r:AaOlw“ b/f Wht]l'm;G] 12

She brought him prosperity and not adversity all the days of her life.

.h;yP,K' 6p,jeB] c['T'w" µyTiv]piW rm,x, hv;r“D: 13

She sought out flax and wool, and she did her manual labor with delight.

.Hm;j]l' aybiT; qj;r“M,mi rje/s t/YnIaÜK; ht;y“h; 14

She became like trading vessels – she was bringing her sustenance from afar.

.h;yt,ro[}n"l] qjow“ Ht;ybel] 5r<f, ˆTetiw"" hl;y“l' d/[B] µq;T;w"" 15

And she arose while still night; she gave prey to her household and a portion for her maid servants.

.µr<K' [;f]n: h;yP,k' yrIP]mi WhjeQ;Tiw" hd<c; hm;m]z: 16

She considered a field and acquired it; by her labor she planted a vineyard.

.h;yt,/[roz“ 6Mea'T]w" h;yn<t]m; z/[b] hr:g“j; 17

She girded her loins with might, and she strengthened her arms.

.Hr;nE l;y“L'b'' hB,k]yIAaOl Hr:j]s' b/fAyKi hm;['f; 18

She perceived that her gain was good; her lamp was not being extinguished by night.

.Ël,p; Wkm]T; h;yP,k'w r/vyKiib' hj;L]vi h;yd<y: 19

She extended her hands with the distaff, and her palms were grasping the spindle.

.ˆ/yb]a,l; hj;L]vi h;yd<yw“ ynI[;l, hc;r“P; HP;K' 20

Her palm opened wide for the poor, and she extended her hands to the needy.

.µynIv; vbul; Ht;yBeAlko yKii gl,v;mii Ht;ybel] ar:ytiAaOl 21

She was not apprehensive for her household because of snow, for all her house were clothed with scarlet.

.Hv;Wbl] ˆm;G:ra'w“ vve HL;Aht;c][; µyDIb'r“m' 22

She made coverlets for herself; her garment was fine linen and purple.

.6r<a;AynEq]ziIAµ[i /Tb]viB] Hl;[]B' µyrI[;V]B' [d:/n 23

Her husband was known in the gates when he sat with elders of the land.

.yniI[}n"K]l' hn:t]n: r/gj}w" rKomTiw" ht;c][; ˆydIs; 24

She made and sold a fine linen garment, and she delivered belts to the merchant.

.ˆ/rj}a' µ/yl] qj'c]Tiw" Hv;Wbl] rd:h;wAz[o 25

Strength and splendor were her clothing, so she had no apprehension for the future.

.Hn:/vl]Al[' ds,j,Atr"/tw“ hm;k]j;b] hj;t]P; h;yPii 26

Her mouth opened with wisdom, and kindly instruction was on her tongue.

.lkeaot lao tWlx][' µj,l,w Ht;yBe t/kylih} hY:pi/x 27

She was the one keeping watch on the ways of her household, and she was not eating the bread of idleness.

.Hl;l]h'y“w" Hl;[]B' h;WrV]a'y“w" h;yn<b; Wmq; 28

Her sons arose and called her blessed; her husband (arose), and he praised her.

.hn:L;KuAl[' tyli[; T]a'w lyIjiJ' Wc[; t/nB; t/Br" 29

Many daughters have done nobly, but you arose over them all.

.lL;h't]ti ayhi hwhyAta'ryI hV;aii ypiiYOh' lb,h, ˆjeeh'' rq,v, 30

Grace is false and beauty is illusory, (but) a woman having fear of YHWH should be praised.

.h;yc,[}m' µyrI[;V]b' h;Wll]h'ywI h;yd<y: yrIP]mi Hl;AWnT] 31

Give her (praise) because of the fruit of her hands; indeed, her deeds will praise her in the gates.