Recently on social media I read a thought provoking post that dealt with both the problems and enduring value of the “Noble Wife” passage in Proverbs 31. I think a simpler way to get at what they were saying is this: Proverbs 31 is an enduring list of virtues and values written in a culture that was cursed with patriarchy (if you read the consequences of sin for our first parents in Genesis 3) and tended toward misogyny (if you read many instances of the use and abuse of women in the books of Judges, Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles). Now we realize that in Christ there is “no male or female, no slave or free” (cf. Galatians 3). So the virtues are still valid, even if the patriarchal structure they were expressed in is obsolete and oppressive.
Therefore, let’s extract the virtues and jettison the potential misogyny of the passage by simply universalizing for all people. It may have been first directed at women, but now it is directed at EVERYONE. An interpretation of this passage “in Christ” describes a hard working and virtuous spouse. Period. Regardless of whether that spouse is a man or woman. As such, in this text we find that we are ALL called to diligence, hard work, wisdom, discernment, and responsibility as spouses and partners.
We might even imagine that we are translating Proverbs 31 into a language that does not conceive of gender the same way English and Hebrew have in the past. After all, English seems to be losing gendered grammar and vocabulary quite quickly, just as many other gendered languages have before us. So, imagine translating Proverbs 31 into a language that only has the word “spouse” or “companion”, and not “husband” and “wife”. A language into which “he” and “she” doesn’t really work. If we do this, we might read Proverbs 31 like this:
Proverbs 31.10–31 (A Gender Inclusive Translation)
[10] A capable companion who can find? They are far more precious than jewels.
[11] The heart of their companion trusts in them, and they will have no lack of gain.
[12] They do each other good, and not harm, all the days of their life together.
[13] They seek wool and flax, and work with willing hands.
[14] They are like the ships of the merchant, when they bring in food from far away.
[15] They rise while it is still night and provide food for their household and tasks for their servants.
[16] They consider a field and buy it; with the fruit of their hands they plant a vineyard.
[17] They gird themselves with strength, and make their arms strong.
[18] They perceive that their merchandise is profitable. Their lamp does not go out at night.
[19] They put their hands to the distaff, and hold on to the spindle.
[20] They open their hands to the poor, and reach out their hands to the needy.
[21] They are not afraid for their household when it snows, for all their household is clothed in crimson.
[22] They make coverings for themselves and their clothing is fine linen and purple.
[23] Their companion is known in the city gates, taking their seat among the elders of the land.
[24] They make linen garments and sell them; They supply the merchant with sashes.
[25] Strength and dignity are their clothing, and they laugh at the time to come.
[26] They open their mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on their tongue.
[27] They look well to the ways of their household, and they do not eat the bread of idleness.
[28] Their children rise up and call them happy; Their companion does too, and they praise each other:
[29] “Many people have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
[30] Charm is deceitful, and beauty is fleeting, but a companion who fears the LORD is to be praised.
[31] Give them a share in the fruit of their hands, and let their works praise them in the city gates.
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