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Women in the Book of Proverbs

by Bryan Gibson

July 12, 2008

Many of us are familiar with the “worthy” or “virtuous” woman described in Proverbs 31, but there are several other kinds of women described in the Book of Proverbs. Let’s look first at some you don’t want to be, and then at some you do want to be.

Don’t be…

An immoral woman (also described as an adulterous woman, a seductress, an evil woman).

“Discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you…from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words…” (Prov. 2:10, 16).

“For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood” (Prov. 5:3-4).

A lovely woman who lacks discretion (not careful in what she says or does).

“As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion” (Prov. 11:22).

A contentious and angry woman (one who is always ready to fight, argue, nitpick, nag, etc.).

“It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious woman” (Pro. 21:19).

“A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike; whoever restrains her restrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand” (Prov. 27:15-16).

A hateful woman.

“For three things the earth is perturbed, Yes, for four it cannot bear up: For a servant when he reigns, a fool when he is filled with food, a hateful woman when she is married, and a maidservant who succeeds her mistress” (Prov. 30:21-23).

You do want to be…

A wise woman.

“Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands” (Prov. 14:1).

Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord” (Prov. 19:14).

A gracious woman (kind, courteous, polite).

“A gracious woman retains honor, but ruthless men retain riches” (Prov. 11:16).

The kind of woman who would be the crown of her husband, who would be considered a gift from God.

“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones” (Prov. 12:4).

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord” (Prov. 18:22).