Proverbs 31
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Proverbs 31 describes how a "virtuous woman" should behave.[1] According to the chapter, women are supposed to be industrious and faithful to their husbands.
It is a popular passage, held to illustrate the importance for Christian women to work hard in establishing a home. It has been used as the subject of many fundamentalist sermons[citation needed] and is the basis for certain Christian ministries. [2]
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[edit] Eishes Chayil
The 10th to 31st verses of the chapter is called Eishes Chayil. It is a praise of the good wife, a definition of a perfect wife or “Ideal Woman” in Judaism. Traditionally, the Eishes Chayil was viewed as written by King Solomon, but scholarship suggests it was added to the Book of Proverbs later. It is said by the husband to his wife on Friday night, before Shabbat dinner.
The word חיל appears in verse 10 and 29 of the passage, thought as the summary of the good woman's character. Traditionally it has been translated "virtuous" or "noble." Some scholars have suggested that it rather means "forceful, "mighty", and "valiant" because the usage of the word in the Tenach is almost exclusively used regarding warfare.[1] The mistranslation might be an effort to feminize women.
[edit] External links
- Eishet Chayil original text in hebrew
- Illustrated presentation of Eishes Chayil
- Shema Yisrael Torah Network - The Eishes Chayil
- Eishes Chayil - Define
- Sefer HaToldos Admur Maharash-Chapter 7
- Eishes Chayil - Intro
- Bat Mitzvah: Jewish women through the ages
- The role of women in traditional Judaism
