Devine Scripture

Proverbs 31:16

What does Proverbs 31:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Proverbs 31:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Proverbs 31:16 means

This verse showcases the worthy woman's business acumen and practical investment skills. She "considereth a field, and buyeth it," indicating careful thought and prudent decision-making in property acquisition. Furthermore, "with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard," demonstrating that her earnings from her diligent work are not idly spent but reinvested in productive assets. This portrays her as an astute and hardworking entrepreneur, actively growing her family's wealth and resources through wise and hands-on efforts.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

She hath considered a field, and taketh it, From the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Context

Building on her domestic management and early rising (verse 15), this verse widens the scope to show the worthy woman's entrepreneurial spirit and financial wisdom. It illustrates her engagement in external business ventures, which reinforces the theme of her broad competency that continues to be developed in the following verses, showing her strength and profitability.

v.15She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.

v.16This passage

v.17She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Joshua 15:18

    And it came to pass, when she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she alighted from off her ass; and Caleb said, What wouldest thou?

  • Song of Solomon 8:12

    My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: Thou, O Solomon, shalt have the thousand, And those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

  • Matthew 13:44

    The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Proverbs 31

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Proverbs 31.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Proverbs 31:16.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary