Proverbs 31:27
New International Version
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

New Living Translation
She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.

English Standard Version
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Berean Standard Bible
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

King James Bible
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

New King James Version
She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

New American Standard Bible
She watches over the activities of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

NASB 1995
She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

NASB 1977
She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Legacy Standard Bible
She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Amplified Bible
She looks well to how things go in her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Christian Standard Bible
She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.

American Standard Version
She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.

Contemporary English Version
She takes good care of her family and is never lazy.

English Revised Version
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family, and she does not eat the bread of idleness.

Good News Translation
She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.

International Standard Version
She looks discretely to the affairs of her household, and she is never lazy.

Majority Standard Bible
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

NET Bible
She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

New Heart English Bible
She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness.

Webster's Bible Translation
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

World English Bible
She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
She [is] watching the ways of her household, "" And she does not eat bread of sloth.

Young's Literal Translation
She is watching the ways of her household, And bread of sloth she eateth not.

Smith's Literal Translation
She viewed the goings of her house, and the bread of sloth she will not eat.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.

Catholic Public Domain Version
She has considered the paths of her household, and she has not eaten her bread in idleness.

New American Bible
She watches over the affairs of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

New Revised Standard Version
She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The ways of her household are above reproach, and she does not eat the bread of idleness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The ways of her house are open and she has not eaten the bread of laziness.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Virtues of a Noble Woman
26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:…

Cross References
Titus 2:5
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.

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

1 Timothy 5:13
At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.

1 Thessalonians 4:11
and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.

1 Timothy 2:10
but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.

1 Peter 3:1-6
Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. / Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, ...

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men,

Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. / For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Luke 10:38-42
As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. / She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message. / But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” ...

Acts 9:36-39
In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was always occupied with works of kindness and charity. / At that time, however, she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upper room. / Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to urge him, “Come to us without delay.” ...

Genesis 18:6
So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread.”

Genesis 24:61-67
Then Rebekah and her servant girls got ready, mounted the camels, and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left. / Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev. / Early in the evening, Isaac went out to the field to meditate, and looking up, he saw the camels approaching. ...

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.

2 Kings 4:8-10
One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat. / Then the woman said to her husband, “Behold, now I know that the one who often comes our way is a holy man of God. / Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then when he comes to us, he can stay there.”

Nehemiah 3:12
And next to them, Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of the other half-district of Jerusalem, made repairs, with the help of his daughters.


Treasury of Scripture

She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.

Proverbs 14:1
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

1 Thessalonians 4:11
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

2 Thessalonians 3:6
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

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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 watches over the affairs of her household
This phrase highlights the diligence and vigilance of the virtuous woman. In biblical times, the household was the center of economic and social life, and the woman played a crucial role in managing it. The Hebrew word for "watches over" implies a careful and attentive oversight, suggesting that she is both proactive and protective. This mirrors the role of a shepherd who guards and tends to the flock, ensuring their well-being. The concept of stewardship is central here, as seen in Genesis 1:28, where humanity is given the responsibility to manage God's creation. The virtuous woman exemplifies this stewardship within her home, reflecting the order and care God desires for His people.

and does not eat the bread of idleness
This part of the verse emphasizes the woman's industrious nature. In the ancient Near Eastern context, bread was a staple of daily life, symbolizing sustenance and provision. To "eat the bread of idleness" would imply living off the labor of others without contributing oneself. The virtuous woman, however, is characterized by her active participation in the welfare of her family. This aligns with the biblical principle found in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, which states, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." Her diligence is a reflection of the wisdom literature's broader theme that hard work leads to prosperity and laziness to poverty, as seen in Proverbs 10:4. This industriousness can also be seen as a type of Christ, who worked tirelessly for the spiritual nourishment and salvation of His people, as depicted in John 4:34, where Jesus speaks of doing the will of the Father as His sustenance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Virtuous Woman
The subject of Proverbs 31, often referred to as the "Proverbs 31 Woman," is an idealized figure representing the virtues of a godly woman. She is diligent, wise, and industrious, serving as a model for Christian women.

2. The Household
This refers to the family and home environment over which the virtuous woman exercises her care and management. It symbolizes the sphere of influence and responsibility entrusted to her.

3. King Lemuel
The author of Proverbs 31, who shares the wisdom taught to him by his mother. This chapter is often seen as a mother's advice to her son on the qualities of a good wife.
Teaching Points
Diligence in Stewardship
The virtuous woman exemplifies diligence in managing her household. Christians are called to be good stewards of the resources and responsibilities God has entrusted to them.

Avoidance of Idleness
Idleness is discouraged throughout Scripture. The Proverbs 31 woman is a model of productivity and purpose, reminding believers to use their time wisely for God's glory.

Role of Women in the Home
This verse underscores the significant role women play in the home. It encourages women to embrace their God-given responsibilities with joy and dedication.

Spiritual Vigilance
Watching over the affairs of the household can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual vigilance. Believers are called to be watchful and prayerful, guarding their hearts and homes against spiritual threats.Verse 27. - TSADE. She looketh well to the ways of her house; the actions and habits of the household. She exercises careful surveillance over all that goes on in the family. Eateth not the bread of idleness; but rather bread won by active labour and conscientious diligence. She is of the opinion of the apostle who said "that if any would not work, neither should he eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Septuagint, "The ways of her house are confined (στεγναὶ διατριβαὶ οἴκων αὐτῆς), and she eats not idle bread." The first of these clauses may mean that the proceedings of her household, being confined to a narrow circle, are readily supervised. But the meaning is very doubtful; and Schleusner renders, "continuae conversationes in aedibus ejus." St. Gregory applies our verse to the conscience, thus: "She considers the ways of her house, because she accurately examines all the thoughts of her conscience. She eateth not her bread in idleness, because that which she learned out of Holy Scripture by her understanding, she places before the eyes of the Judge by exhibiting it in her works" ('Moral.,' 35:47).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
She watches over
צ֭וֹפִיָּה (ṣō·w·p̄î·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 6822: To lean forward, to peer into the distance, to observe, await

the affairs
הֲלִיכ֣וֹת (hă·lî·ḵō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1979: A walking, a procession, march, a caravan

of her household
בֵּיתָ֑הּ (bê·ṯāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

and does not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

eat
תֹאכֵֽל׃ (ṯō·ḵêl)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

the bread
וְלֶ֥חֶם (wə·le·ḥem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

of idleness.
עַ֝צְל֗וּת (‘aṣ·lūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6104: Sluggishness


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 31:27 She looks well to the ways (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 31:26
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