SEV Biblia, Chapter 31:24
Sámec Hizo telas, y vendió; y dio cintas al mercader.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:24
Verse 24. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it] 15. She is here remarkable for carrying on a traffic of splendid and ornamental dresses, or habits, as she is, ver. 13, for "a coarser manufacture," The wds sidon is supposed to come from in Arabic; and to signify a kind of loose inner garment, shirt, chemise, or fine muslin covering. Some of these are so exceedingly fine, like the abrooam, that when spread on the grass, they are scarcely discernible. Some such garments as these are still worn by ladies in India and in China, and are so thin and transparent, that every part of the body may be seen through them. I have many representations of persons clothed in this way before me both of the Chinese, the Hindoo, and the Malabar ladies. Probably this eminent Jewish matron had such articles manufactured in her own house. She dealt also in girdles. These are still a very general and very expensive article of dress. I have seen them made of silk, and highly ornamented with gold and silver thread, worked into flowers and various curious devices.
The loose Eastern robe is confined by these; and the word may also take in the shawl of the turban, which is often superb and costly. It is properly the girdle for the head. As these were generally woven, the consumption was great; and an able artist must have had a good trade.
The Arabic gives a remarkable translation of this verse: "She maketh towels, (or tablecloths,) and sells them to the inhabitants of Basra, (a city in Mesopotamia,) and fine linens, and sells them to the Canaanites." My old MS. Bible has, "Sandel sche made and sold, and a litil girdil sche toke to Chanane". Perhaps yn[nkl lakkenaani, for the merchant, may stand here for µyn[nkl lakkenaanim, the Canaanites.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 24. She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it] , etc.] She not only seeks wool and flax, and spins it, but makes it up into fine linen, which she disposes of to advantage to herself and family. Kimchi says f963 , the word signifies coverings for the night, as well as day he seems to design linen sheets: the Arabic version adds, and “sells it to the inhabitants of Bosra.”
This, in the mystic sense, may signify either the good works the church does, and which she proposes as a pattern and example to her members; or divine instruction, as others, the preaching of the Gospel, and the truths of it; which she sells, and others buy, though both without money and without price; for, as she freely receives, she freely gives: or the righteousness of Christ, which is called fine linen and white raiment; which, properly speaking, is made by Christ, and sold by him, or bought of him, as before, without money; (see Revelation 19:8 3:18); yet this the church makes her own, by laying hold upon it by faith, and which she holds forth freely to others in the Gospel; which is therefore called “the ministration of righteousness”, ( 2 Corinthians 3:9); and delivereth girdles unto the merchant ; to dispose of them for her; either to sell to others, to the Egyptian priests which wore them; or for their own use, to put their money in, girdles being used for that purpose, (see Gill on “ Matthew 10:9”). Or, “a girdle to the Canaanite” f964 ; the Canaanites or Phoenicians being generally merchants, the word is put for one. By these may be meant ministers of the word; for, as the priests of Rome are called the merchants of the earth and false teachers are said to make merchandise men, ( Revelation 18:3 2 Peter 2:3); so faithful ministers, who trade for the good of souls, and seek not theirs, but them, and not their own things, but Christ’s, may be called merchants: and to these “the girdle of truth” is given; and these the church exhorts to gird their loins with it, as well as all her members, that they may be ready to every good work, and particularly prepared to preach the Gospel of peace, ( Ephesians 6:14,15).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 10-31 - This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very carefu to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her. 1. She can be trusted, an he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. An she makes it her constant business to do him good. 2. She is one tha takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in them. She is carefu to fill up time, that none be lost. She rises early. She applie herself to the business proper for her, to women's business. She doe what she does, with all her power, and trifles not. 3. She makes what she does turn to good account by prudent management. Many und themselves by buying, without considering whether they can afford it She provides well for her house. She lays up for hereafter. 4. Sh looks well to the ways of her household, that she may oblige all to d their duty to God and one another, as well as to her. 5. She is inten upon giving as upon getting, and does it freely and cheerfully. 6. Sh is discreet and obliging; every word she says, shows she govern herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent measure herself, but gives prudent advice to others. The law of love an kindness is written in the heart, and shows itself in the tongue. He heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy abou this world. 7. Above all, she fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God, nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceive many a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts for ever. 8 She has firmness to bear up under crosses and disappointments. Sh shall reflect with comfort when she comes to be old, that she was no idle or useless when young. She shall rejoice in a world to come. Sh is a great blessing to her relations. If the fruit be good, the tre must have our good word. But she leaves it to her own works to prais her. Every one ought to desire this honour that cometh from God; an according to this standard we all ought to regulate our judgments. Thi description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly belove and respected, useful and honourable. This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be applied to the church of God, whic is described as a virtuous spouse? God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellences here described __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
סדין 5466 עשׂתה 6213 ותמכר 4376 וחגור 2289 נתנה 5414 לכנעני׃ 3669
