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.