Proverbs 31:14
New International Version
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

New Living Translation
She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.

English Standard Version
She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.

Berean Standard Bible
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

King James Bible
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

New King James Version
She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.

New American Standard Bible
She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

NASB 1995
She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

NASB 1977
She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

Legacy Standard Bible
She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

Amplified Bible
She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure]; She brings her [household’s] food from far away.

Christian Standard Bible
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away.

American Standard Version
She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.

Contemporary English Version
She is like a sailing ship that brings food from across the sea.

English Revised Version
She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from far away.

Good News Translation
She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.

International Standard Version
She is like a seagoing ship that brings her food from far away.

Majority Standard Bible
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

NET Bible
She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.

New Heart English Bible
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.

Webster's Bible Translation
She is like the merchant's ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

World English Bible
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
She has been as ships of the merchant, "" She brings in her bread from afar.

Young's Literal Translation
She hath been as ships of the merchant, From afar she bringeth in her bread.

Smith's Literal Translation
She was as the ships of the merchant; from far off she will bring her bread.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.

Catholic Public Domain Version
She has become like a merchant’s ship, bringing her bread from far away.

New American Bible
Like a merchant fleet, she secures her provisions from afar.

New Revised Standard Version
She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
She is like the merchant's ship, she brings her merchandise from afar.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
She has been like a merchant's ship that brings its merchandise from far away.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her food from afar.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Virtues of a Noble Woman
13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.…

Cross References
Matthew 13:45-46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.

Proverbs 31:10-12
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.

1 Timothy 2:9-10
Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, / but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.

1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, / but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

Ruth 3:11
And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character.

1 Kings 10:22
For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

Acts 16:14
Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

Ezekiel 27:12-25
Tarshish was your merchant because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your wares. / Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your merchants. They exchanged slaves and bronze utensils for your merchandise. / The men of Beth-togarmah exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your wares. ...

Isaiah 23:8
Who planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose traders are princes, whose merchants are renowned on the earth?

Job 28:12-19
But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell? / No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. / The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’ ...

1 Corinthians 7:34
and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband.

Luke 12:27-28
Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. / If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!

Genesis 49:13
Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon.

2 Chronicles 9:21
For the king had the ships of Tarshish that went with Hiram’s servants, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

Psalm 107:23-30
Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters. / They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. / For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. ...


Treasury of Scripture

She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar.

Proverbs 31:24
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

1 Kings 9:26-28
And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom…

2 Chronicles 9:10
And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones.

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Proverbs 31
1. Lemuel's lesson of chastity and temperance
6. The afflicted are to be comforted and defended
10. The praise and properties of a good wife














She is like the merchant ships
This phrase draws a vivid comparison between the virtuous woman and merchant ships. In ancient times, merchant ships were essential for trade and commerce, often traveling great distances to bring back valuable goods. The Hebrew word for "merchant" (סֹחֵר, socher) implies a sense of diligence, skill, and resourcefulness. The virtuous woman is likened to these ships because she is industrious and proactive, seeking out the best for her household. Her efforts are not limited to her immediate surroundings; she goes beyond, much like the ships that traverse the seas, to ensure her family is well-provided for. This comparison highlights her wisdom and foresight, qualities that are esteemed in a conservative Christian perspective as reflective of a godly character.

bringing her food from afar
The act of bringing food from afar signifies the woman's commitment to providing the best for her family, regardless of the effort required. The Hebrew word for "food" (לֶחֶם, lechem) often refers to sustenance or provision, encompassing more than just physical nourishment. It suggests a holistic approach to caring for her household, ensuring that their needs are met in a comprehensive manner. The phrase "from afar" indicates her willingness to go the extra mile, both literally and figuratively, to secure what is beneficial and enriching. This reflects a deep sense of responsibility and love, as she does not settle for what is merely convenient but seeks out what is excellent. In a historical context, this would have involved significant effort and planning, underscoring her dedication and perseverance. From a scriptural standpoint, this mirrors the Christian call to diligence and stewardship, as believers are encouraged to work heartily as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23). The virtuous woman's actions serve as an inspiration to pursue excellence and faithfulness in all endeavors.

(14) She bringeth her food from afar.--Looks for opportunities of buying cheaply at a distance from home, instead of paying a larger price on the spot.

Verse 14. - HE. She is like the merchants' ships. She is like them in that she extends her operations beyond her own immediate neighbourhood, and bringeth her food from afar, buying in the best markets and on advantageous terms, without regard to distance, and being always on the look out to make honest profit. Septuagint, "She is like a ship trading from a distance, and she herself gathereth her livelihood." The expressions in the text point to active commercial operations by sea as well as land, such as we know to have been undertaken by Solomon, Jehoshaphat, and others (1 Kings 9:26; 1 Kings 22:48), and such as the Hebrews must have noticed in the Phoenician cities, Sidon and Tyre.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
She is
הָ֭יְתָה (hā·yə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

like the merchant
סוֹחֵ֑ר (sō·w·ḥêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5503: To go around or about, travel about

ships,
כָּאֳנִיּ֣וֹת (kā·’o·nî·yō·wṯ)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 591: A ship

bringing
תָּבִ֥יא (tā·ḇî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

her food
לַחְמָֽהּ׃ (laḥ·māh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

from afar.
מִ֝מֶּרְחָ֗ק (mim·mer·ḥāq)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4801: Remoteness, a distant place, from afar


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 31:14 She is like the merchant ships (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 31:13
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