A look at Proverbs 31:10

At our last meeting we discussed Proverbs 31. Some questions came up about the use of the word "wife" in this passages, and it turns out that the Hebrew word used in Proverbs 31 for wife is "ishshah," which can be translated either "wife" or "woman." For an exposition of this passage, check out "The Valiant Woman" at the Theology of Work Project. Of special note is their commentary on the word translated variously as virtuous, excellent, noble, or capable in Proverbs 31:10:

"Who can find a virtuous woman?" (King James Version)

"An excellent wife who can find?" (English Standard Version)

"A wife of noble character who can find?" (New International Version)

"A capable wife who can find?" (New Revised Standard Version)

The commentator notes:

When applied to a man, this same term is translated “strength,” as in Prov. 31:3. In a great majority of its 246 appearances in the Old Testament, it applies to fighting men (e.g., David’s “mighty warriors,” 1 Chronicles 7:2). Translators tend to downplay the element of strength when the word is applied to a woman, as with Ruth, whom English translations describe as “noble” (NIV, TNIV), “virtuous” (NRSV, KJV) or “excellent” (NASB). But the word is the same, whether applied to men or women.

The Orthodox Jewish Bible translates the verse in this way:

"Who can find an aishes chayil (a woman of valor, an excellent wife Prov 12:4)?"

This single line is an excellent example of how important it can be to look into several translations of scripture and to always keep it in the forefront of our minds that the original language of the Bible is not English.

Who is Kenneth E. Bailey?

Kenneth E. Bailey is the lecturer for the Women in the New Testament series. For a beautifully written biography, see this link: https://godswordtowomen.org/bailey.htm.


I have made several attempts to distill this biography and the one found here: https://shenango.org/bailey/ into Five Fast Facts, and have been completely unable to do so. The Baileys seemed to have lived more than one life, there are so many things to say about them!

Christianity Today describes Mr. Bailey as "the scholar who made Jesus Middle Eastern again." His parents were missionaries in Egypt, and Mr. Bailey, in turn, spent much of his life in ministry in Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Jerusalem with his wife and two children (Sara and David).  He was a professor, speaker, and author in both the Middle East and the United States. In addition, he has an extensive teaching video collection. His wife, Ethel Bailey, was also quite accomplished. She was Dr. Jonas Salk's research assistant at the time that Dr. Salk discovered the polio vaccine. She taught microbiology in Arabic, typed Mr. Bailey's manuscripts, and was the recording secretary for the school board of the American Community School in Beirut. Dr. Kenneth Bailey died on May 23rd, 2016 at the age of 85.

What's Brewing Next?

In the coming weeks, we'll be taking some time out of the Covenant Study to do a six week lecture series on Women in the New Testament by Kenneth Bailey. I encourage you to think of this as a way of expanding the Covenant Study. We've made it from the Covenants of Noah, Abraham, and Moses...to the Covenant of Jesus...and the life of the early church wrestling with how to live within that Messianic Covenant. The Women of the New Testament lecture series should be a nice way to stop and spend a bit of extra time on how the New Testament addresses women specifically. I'm excited that this week's Covenant Study episode led us right into this next study! Lecture 4 will deal directly with the passage from 1 Corinthians 11!

The study guide for the Women in the New Testament lecture series can be found online for FREE. I recommend printing it. It is 18 pages long. If you have any trouble, please let me know, and I will print you a copy. See the study guide here: https://shenangopresbytery.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/women.pdf

Who is Brent A. Strawn?

Brent A. Strawn is the guest speaker in the 8th Episode of the Covenant Bible Study on Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, and 1 Samuel. Here are some quick facts about him:

1) He has a BA from Point Loma Nazarene College, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary.

2) He is currently a Professor of Old Testament and the Director of the Doctor of Ministry program in Candler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta.

3) He is an ordained elder in the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church, and he has appeared frequently on CNN on matters ranging from Easter celebrations to Pope Francis to gun violence.

4) He is the author of more than 200 articles and several books including, The Old Testament Is Dying: A Diagnosis and Recommended Treatment. His research focus is on ancient Near Eastern iconography, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Israelite religion, legal traditions of the Old Testament, and Old Testament theology.

5) He is married and has 3 children.

Who is Monya A. Stubbs?

Monya A. Stubbs is the guest speaker in the 7th Episode of the Covenant Bible Study on the Letters to the Corinthians. Here are 5 Fast Facts about her:

1) Monya Stubbs has a BA from Spelman College, a Master of Theological Studies degree from Vanderbilt University Divinity School, and a PhD from Vanderbilt University.

2) She is an ordained elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, a member of the American Academy of Religion, and a former Assistant Professor of New Testament at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

3) She has a special interest in the practical aspects of ministry and directed the Bonner-Campbell Religious Studies Institute, a ministerial training school for the Eighth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2002 and 2003.

4) She has authored and co-authored several books and essays including: A Contextual Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew and its Readings and Indebted Love: Paul's Subjection Language in Romans.

5) She is currently a Chaplain for the United States Navy at the Coast Guard Academy.