Proverbs 31:16

"She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls."

Key Reflection

In first-century Israel, a woman's role was primarily centered around managing the household and ensuring its well-being. Proverbs 31:16 highlights the diligence of a virtuous wife who rises early in the night to prepare food for her family and servants. This verse portrays her as a model of industriousness and responsibility, reflecting societal expectations where women were expected to maintain order and care for their households from dawn until dusk, often sacrificing sleep to ensure everyone was taken care of.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

The verse points to a large sphere of feminine activity, strikingly in contrast with the degradation to which woman in the East has now fallen.

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