Proverbs 31:16
New International Version
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

New Living Translation
She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

English Standard Version
She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

Berean Standard Bible
She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.

King James Bible
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

New King James Version
She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.

New American Standard Bible
She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

NASB 1995
She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

NASB 1977
She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

Legacy Standard Bible
She makes plans for a field and buys it; From the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

Amplified Bible
She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently]; With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.

Christian Standard Bible
She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings.

American Standard Version
She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Contemporary English Version
She knows how to buy land and how to plant a vineyard,

English Revised Version
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"She picks out a field and buys it. She plants a vineyard from the profits she has earned.

Good News Translation
She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.

International Standard Version
She evaluates a field and purchases it; from the proceeds she plants a vineyard.

Majority Standard Bible
She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.

NET Bible
She considers a field and buys it; from her own income she plants a vineyard.

New Heart English Bible
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

Webster's Bible Translation
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

World English Bible
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
She has considered a field, and takes it, "" She has planted a vineyard from the fruit of her hands.

Young's Literal Translation
She hath considered a field, and taketh it, From the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.

Smith's Literal Translation
She purposed a field, and he will take it: from the fruit of her hands she planted a vineyard.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.

Catholic Public Domain Version
She has considered a field and bought it. From the fruit of her own hands, she has planted a vineyard.

New American Bible
She picks out a field and acquires it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.

New Revised Standard Version
She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
She has looked at a field and bought it, and from the fruit of her hands she planted a vineyard.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Virtues of a Noble Woman
15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants. 16She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.…

Cross References
Genesis 1:28
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”

Matthew 25:14-30
For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. / To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. / The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. ...

Luke 19:12-27
So He said, “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to lay claim to his kingship and then return. / Beforehand, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Conduct business with this until I return,’ he said. / But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ ...

1 Timothy 5:14
So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.

Titus 2:4-5
In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, / to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.

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.

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.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. / Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.

Ephesians 5:15-16
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, / redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” / For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. / We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.

Genesis 2:15
Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.

Ruth 2:2-3
And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go into the fields and glean heads of grain after someone in whose sight I may find favor.” “Go ahead, my daughter,” Naomi replied. / So Ruth departed and went out into the field and gleaned after the harvesters. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech.

Proverbs 14:1
Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

Proverbs 12:11
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.


Treasury of Scripture

She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

considereth

Joshua 15:18
And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?

Song of Solomon 8:12
My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

Matthew 13:44
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

buyeth or taketh

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Buyeth Buys Care Considered Considereth Considers Earnings Field Fruit Gets Hands Planted Planteth Planting Plants Price Profit Vine-Garden Vineyard Work
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Buyeth Buys Care Considered Considereth Considers Earnings Field Fruit Gets Hands Planted Planteth Planting Plants Price Profit Vine-Garden Vineyard Work
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 appraises a field and buys it;
This phrase highlights the woman's wisdom and discernment in making financial decisions. In ancient Israel, land ownership was a significant aspect of wealth and stability. The act of appraising a field suggests careful consideration and evaluation, indicating her prudence and business acumen. This mirrors the biblical principle of stewardship, as seen in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), where servants are entrusted with resources and expected to manage them wisely. The ability to buy land also reflects a level of independence and authority, which was notable in a patriarchal society. This echoes the virtuous woman's role as a capable and trusted partner in her household, reminiscent of the industriousness of the woman in the Song of Solomon, who tends to her vineyard (Song of Solomon 1:6).

from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
The planting of a vineyard signifies long-term planning and investment. Vineyards were valuable assets in biblical times, providing wine, a staple in the diet and a symbol of joy and blessing (Psalm 104:15). This action demonstrates foresight and the ability to generate ongoing income, ensuring the prosperity of her household. The mention of "her earnings" underscores her role in contributing economically, aligning with the Proverbs 31 woman's portrayal as industrious and resourceful. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the true vine (John 15:1), and believers are called to abide in Him to bear fruit. The vineyard also connects to the imagery of Israel as God's vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7), where the faithful are expected to produce good fruit through their actions and stewardship.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Virtuous Woman
The central figure in Proverbs 31, often referred to as the "Proverbs 31 Woman," is an idealized representation of a godly and industrious woman. She embodies wisdom, diligence, and resourcefulness.

2. The Field
Represents opportunities and investments. In the context of ancient Israel, owning a field was a significant economic asset, providing sustenance and income.

3. The Vineyard
Symbolizes long-term planning and cultivation. Vineyards require time and care to produce fruit, reflecting the woman's foresight and commitment.
Teaching Points
Diligence and Wisdom in Stewardship
The virtuous woman exemplifies careful consideration and wise management of resources. Believers are encouraged to be diligent and thoughtful in their financial and personal decisions.

Long-term Vision and Planning
Planting a vineyard requires patience and foresight. Christians are called to plan for the future, investing time and resources in endeavors that yield spiritual and practical fruit.

Resourcefulness and Initiative
The woman's actions demonstrate initiative and resourcefulness. Followers of Christ should seek opportunities to use their gifts and resources for God's glory and the benefit of others.

Economic Contribution and Family Support
Her activities contribute to her household's well-being. This underscores the value of contributing to family and community through work and enterprise.(16) She considereth a field.--Fixes upon a suitable one for purchase.

With the fruit of her hands.--With her savings she buys a vineyard and stocks it.

Verse 16. - ZAYIN. She considereth a field, and buyeth it. She turns her attention to a certain field, the possession of which is for some cause desirable; and, after due examination and consideration, she buys it. One is reminded of Christ's parable of the treasure hidden in a field, which the finder sold all that he had to purchase (Matthew 13:44). With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. Her prudent management and economy give her means to buy vines and plant a vineyard, and thus to increase her produce. Possibly it is meant that she sees the field she has gotten is more fitted for grapes than corn, and she cultivates it accordingly. Virgil 'Georg.,' 2:229 -

"Altera frumentis quoniam favet, altera Baccho,
Densa magis Cereri, rarissima quaeque Lyaeo."


Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
She appraises
זָמְמָ֣ה (zā·mə·māh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2161: To consider, purpose, devise

a field
שָׂ֭דֶה (ḏeh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

and buys it;
וַתִּקָּחֵ֑הוּ (wat·tiq·qā·ḥê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

from her earnings
מִפְּרִ֥י (mip·pə·rî)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6529: Fruit

she plants
נָ֣טְעָה (nā·ṭə·‘āh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5193: To strike in, fix, to plant

a vineyard.
כָּֽרֶם׃ (kā·rem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3754: A garden, vineyard


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 31:16 She considers a field and buys it (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 31:15
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