SUMMARY
Appreciate your good wife (or husband)!
ANALYSIS
One need only glance at a Hebrew Bible to see that these verses follow the letters of the Hebrew alphabet (see Introductory Issues). It remains good Jewish tradition for a husband to recite these words to his wife on the evening of the SabbathSabbath is a weekly day of rest, the seventh day, observed on Saturday in Judaism and on Sunday in Christianity. In the book of Genesis, God rested on the seventh day; in the Gospel accounts Jesus and his disciples are criticized by some for not... More; how could it help but benefit a marriage when a husband says to his wife each week, “There are lots of fine women in the world, but you’re the greatest!” (paraphrasing v. 29). Note some of the characteristics of this woman: her value cannot be measured (v. 10); she is totally trustworthy, supportive of her husband (vv. 11-12), and industrious (vv. 13-15). She is a business woman who deals in buying and selling real estate. She operates a vineyard (v. 16) and makes and sells linen garments (v. 24). She is concerned for the poor and needy (v. 20) and, of course, for her own family (vv. 21-22, 27). She has a good sense of humor and knows how to speak properly (vv. 25-26). She honors the Lord and is deserving of the praise of her children, her husband, and the community (vv. 28-31).
