acrostic in Proverbs 31

In the Hebrew text, each verse of the acrostic in Proverbs 31:10-31 is started with the successive 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. While most translations mention that in a note or a comment, a number of Bible translations have been able to use the same the rhetorical device. The Swedish Bibel 2000 had the advantage of an additional three letters in the Swedish alphabet aside from the 26 letters of the Latin alphabet (A-Z) — Å, Ä, and Ö are added behind Z — and by skipping some of the more difficult letters (source: Staphan Lindström). The letters that are successively employed are A, B, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, T, U, V, Å, Ä, Ö.

Click or tap here for the complete 22 verses in Swedish:

10 Att finna en driftig hustru, vem förunnas det —
       långt mer än pärlor är hon värd.
11 Blint litar hennes man på henne,
       och vinsten uteblir inte.
12 Dagligen är hon honom till nytta,
       aldrig till skada.
13 Efter att ha skaffat ull och lin
       arbetar hon med flinka händer.
14 Från avlägsna trakter hämtar hon förråd,
       hon är som köpmannens skepp.
15 Gryningen är inte inne när hon stiger upp,
       sätter fram mat åt familjen och ger pigorna deras portioner.
16 Hon ser ut en åker och köper den,
       planterar en vingård för det hon själv har tjänat.
17 Ivrigt går hon till verket
       och hugger i med starka armar.
18 Kan hon märka att affärerna går bra
       får hennes lampa brinna hela natten.
19 Lätt hanterar hon sländtrissan
       och håller sländan i handen.
20 Mot de svaga räcker hon ut handen,
       hon öppnar sin famn för de fattiga.
21 När snön kommer ängslas hon inte:
       hela familjen har kläder av ylle.
22 Också täcken väver hon själv,
       hon är klädd i linne och purpur.
23 På hennes man ser alla med aktning,
       där han sitter bland de äldste i porten.
24 Rockar av linne syr hon och säljer,
       handlaren förser hon med bälten.
25 Styrka och värdighet utstrålar hon
       och ser leende framtiden an.
26 Talar gör hon med klokhet,
       vänliga förmaningar delar hon ut.
27 Uppmärksamt följer hon allt i huset,
       aldrig äter hon lättjans bröd.
28 Välsignad blir hon av sina barn,
       och hennes man lovprisar henne:
29 Åtskilliga duktiga kvinnor har jag sett,
       men du överträffar dem alla! —
30 Älsklighet kan bedra, skönhet förgår,
       för sin gudsfruktan skall en hustru prisas.
31 Överlämna åt henne hennes mödas lön,
       må hon prisas i portarna för sina verk.

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Likewise, Danish also has additional letters in its alphabet (Æ, Ø, and Å) and the Danish Bibelen på Hverdagsdansk (publ. 1985, rev. 2015 et al.) also maintained an acrostic in this passage:

Click or tap here for the verses in Danish:

10 At finde den ideelle hustru er enhver mands drøm.
Lykkes det, har han fundet en uvurderlig skat.
11 Bedre kan ingen mand ønske sig det,
altid har hun hans fulde tillid.
12 Charmerende er hun tillige,
støtter og opmuntrer ham livet igennem.
13 Dagene bruger hun flittigt,
hun samler uld og hør og har travlt med at spinde.
14 Eksotiske retter forstår hun at frembringe,
for hun har en bred horisont.
15 Før daggry står hun op for at lave mad til familien
og fordele opgaverne mellem husets piger.
16 Går hun forbi et frugtbart jordstykke, køber hun det
og planter en vingård for, hvad hun har tjent.
17 Hun går energisk i gang
og arbejder med stor udholdenhed.
18 Indsatsen bærer frugt,
og der er lys i hendes vindue til langt ud på natten.
19 Jævnligt sidder hun ved sin rok
eller spinder dygtigt ved tenen.
21 Kulden er ikke noget problem,
for hun er klar med det varme tøj.
20 Lider de fattige nød,
er hun der straks med en hjælpende hånd.
23 Man ser hendes mand som en af byens ledere,
for han er en mand, der aftvinger respekt.
22 Nydeligt er hun klædt i dragter af det fineste stof,
hun syr selv sit tøj og væver sine tæpper.
25 Optimistisk ser hun fremtiden i møde,
hun optræder værdigt og karakterfast.
24 Penge har hun nok af,
for hun sælger af det pragtfulde tøj, hun fremstiller.
26 Råd og opmuntring giver hun gerne,
hun taler med visdom og venlige ord.
27 Sit hus har hun styr på,
hun kender ikke til lediggang.
28 Til hver en tid får hun ros af sine børn,
og hendes mand lovpriser hende med følgende ord:
29 „Utallige kvinder er dygtige,
men du overgår dem alle!”
30 Ydre skønhed falmer, og charme kan bedrage,
men en kvinde, der følger Herren, er al beundring værd.
31 Ære og hæder fortjener hun fuldt ud,
og hendes gerninger lovprises overalt i byen.

Like the Hebrew alphabet, the Tok Pisin alphabet has 22 letters (A, B, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, T, U, V, W, Y) which the translators saw as a challenge to maintain the Hebrew acrostic: “One of the ways the Israelites followed in writing was a bit different. In the Hebrew alphabet there are 22 letters. Well sometimes they used to divide the talk that they wanted to write into 22 parts, and each part had to start with a different letter. When people translate Hebrew into other languages, they are not able to follow this custom in the translation. But Tok Pisin has 22 letters in its alphabet, the same number as in Hebrew. So in just this one passage in the Bible, we (translators) have followed this custom and reproduced it (the form of the Hebrew), so that you can see how it goes.” (Source: Note in the translation, translated by Timothy Lloyd Wilt in The Bible Translator 1993, p. 207ff. ).

Click or tap here for the verses in Tok Pisin:

10 Ating man i laik maritim meri i gat gutpela pasin tru, a? Orait bai em i hatwok tru long painim. Kain meri olsem i winim olkain ston i dia tumas.
11 Bai man bilong dispela kain meri i save gut long meri i bihainim gutpela pasin oltaim. Na meri bai i helpim em na em i gat planti samting.
12 Dispela meri i save mekim gutpela pasin tasol long man bilong en.
13 Em i save wokim kain kain tret na em i amamas long lumim olkain laplap.
14 Famili bilong en i gat planti kain kaikai, long wanem, em i save go longwe tumas long kisim kaikai, olsem ol bikpela sip i save mekim.
15 Gutpela meri olsem i save kirap taim tulait i no bruk yet na i kukim kaikai bilong famili bilong en na makim wok bilong ol wokmeri bilong en.
16 Hapmeri olsem i save lukluk gut pastaim long graun em i laik baim, na bihain em i baim. Na bihain, em i kisim mani long bisnis bilong em na baim ol yangpela diwai wain bilong planim.
17 I no gat wanpela taim em i les. Em i strongpela meri na i save taitim bun na i wok.
18 Jak bilong lam bilong en i pulap long wel na lam i lait i stap, na em i wok i go inap biknait tru long taim em i lukim bisnis bilong en i go het gut.
19 Kain meri olsem i save wokim ol tret bilong em yet na lumim ol laplap.
20 Long taim em i lukim ol man i sot long ol samting na i rabis, em i save givim ol samting long ol.
21 Maski ren ais i pundaun, em i no save wari long ol famili bilong en, long wanem, em i bin wokim klos bilong ol long laplap i gutpela tumas.
22 Na em yet i save wokim ol blanket bilong ol bet long haus bilong en. Na em i save kisim ol gutpela waitpela laplap na ol gutpela retpela laplap na wokim ol klos bilong en.
23 Ol hetman bilong ples i givim biknem long man bilong en. Na man bilong en i wanpela bilong ol dispela hetman.
24 Planti taim dispela meri i save samapim ol gutpela klos na wokim ol let, na ol bisnisman i save kam baim.
25 Rispek na biknem i olsem klos bilong en na em i gat strong. Em i no save wari long ol samting bai i kamap bihain.
26 Sapos em i skulim ol manmeri, em i mekim tok isi tasol. Na olgeta tok bilong en i kamapim gutpela tingting na save bilong en.
27 Taim em i lukautim ol samting long haus bilong en, em i no save les. Nogat. Em i save wok strong na mekim gutpela wok tumas.
28 “Ure, ure long mama bilong mipela.” Ol pikinini bilong dispela meri i save tok olsem. Na man bilong en i litimapim nem bilong em moa yet na i tok,
29 “Viles na taun bilong yumi i gat planti meri i save mekim gutpela pasin tru, tasol yu winim ol moa yet.”
30 Wanpela meri inap givim switpela tok long yumi, tasol pasin bilong en i narakain. Na maski meri i luk nais tru, em i no inap i stap olsem oltaim. Mobeta yumi litimapim nem bilong meri i save aninit long Bikpela.
31 Yumi mas tingting long gutpela pasin bilong meri na long gutpela wok em i bin mekim, na givim biknem long em. Olgeta manmeri i ken litimapim nem bilong en.

The English Bible translation by Ronald Knox (publ. 1950) is the only English translation that — aside from Psalm 9/10 — maintains every Hebrew acrostic (even though Knox’s translation itself is based on the Latin text of the Vulgate rather than the Hebrew):

10 A man who has found a vigorous wife has found a rare treasure, brought from distant shores.
11 Bound to her in loving confidence, he will have no need of spoil.
12 Content, not sorrow, she will bring him as long as life lasts.
13 Does she not busy herself with wool and thread, plying her hands with ready skill?
14 Ever she steers her course like some merchant ship, bringing provision from far away.
15 From early dawn she is up, assigning food to the household, so that each waiting-woman has her share.
16 Ground must be examined, and bought, and planted out as a vineyard, with the earnings of her toil.
17 How briskly she girds herself to the task, how tireless are her arms!
18 Industry, she knows, is well rewarded, and all night long her lamp does not go out.
19 Jealously she sets her hands to work, her fingers clutch the spindle.
20 Kindly is her welcome to the poor, her purse ever open to those in need.
21 Let the snow lie cold if it will, she has no fears for her household; no servant of hers but is warmly clad.
22 Made by her own hands was the coverlet on her bed, the clothes of lawn and purple that she wears.
23 None so honoured at the city gate as that husband of hers, when he sits in council with the elders of the land.
24 Often she will sell linen of her own weaving, or make a girdle for the travelling merchant to buy.
25 Protected by her own industry and good repute, she greets the morrow with a smile.
26 Ripe wisdom governs her speech, but it is kindly instruction she gives.
27 She keeps watch over all that goes on in her house, not content to go through life eating and sleeping.
28 That is why her children are the first to call her blessed, her husband is loud in her praise:
29 Unrivalled art thou among all the women that have enriched their homes.
30 Vain are the winning ways, beauty is a snare; it is the woman who fears the Lord that will achieve renown.
31 Work such as hers claims its reward; let her life be spoken of with praise at the city gates.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Proverbs 31 as an Acrostic Poem .

complete verse (Proverbs 31:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 31:10:

  • Kupsabiny: “When a person finds a good wife he has found a valuable thing.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Who has a really good wife?
    She is more precious than diamonds and pearls.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A good wife is hard to find. She is more precious/valuable/[lit. of-great-price] than expensive stones.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “It-is-difficult to look-for a skilled/intelligent woman whose behavior/character is good. The spouse that is like that is more-valuable than the most-valuable jewelry.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “It is very difficult for a man to find a wife who is good and who is capable of doing many things.
    Any woman who is like that is worth more than jewels.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Proverbs 31:10

“A good wife who can find?”: This opening line announces the theme of the poem, “A good wife”. This expression is the same as that used in 12.4; the sense of the Hebrew is “woman of ability,” which includes an element of strength and efficiency, and probably also moral worth. All this is spelled out in the character that is described in the verses that follow. Many versions in English use the word “capable” here. “Who can find?” has the form of a question; but this is a rhetorical question conveying the meaning that it is hard to find a woman like the person described here. In translation it is often good to express the meaning as a statement; for example, “A capable wife is a rare find” (Scott) or “How hard it is to find a capable wife!” (Good News Translation).

“She is far more precious than jewels”: This is literally “Her value is far beyond pearls [or, corals].” This is expressed in English as “Her worth is far greater than. . .” (Scott) or “She is worth far more than. . .” (New International Version, Good News Translation). The term rendered “jewels” is of uncertain meaning in Hebrew; different English versions have “corals,” “pearls,” or “rubies,” but the more general term “jewels” is quite satisfactory in this context.

In some languages it is not easy to express comparisons in the same way as in English, and translators may have to restructure the second line. One example of how this can be done is: “A woman like this beats all kinds of precious stones [in value].” It is probably a good idea to avoid any reference to “price” here, since for many people this can bring in the idea of a “bride price” or “dowry,” which is not in the meaning of the text. Another good model is Contemporary English Version, which combines the two lines of this verse to get: “A truly good wife is the most precious treasure a man can find.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:10

Section 31:10–31

This poem describes a capable wife who has good character

In Hebrew, this section is arranged in the form of an acrostic poem. Each of its twenty-two verses begins with a different letter, following the normal order of the Hebrew alphabet. The poem praises the character and abilities of an ideal wife. After an introduction that describes her value (vv. 10–12), the poem describes her activities and achievements in various areas (vv. 13–27). It concludes with praise by her family (vv. 28–29) and all the people (vv. 30–31). The last two verses also serve as the poet’s final conclusion. They summarize what is truly important in an ideal wife.

Some other headings for this section are:

A good wife with many abilities
-or-
Description of a Worthy Woman (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
A truly good wife (Contemporary English Version)

31:10–12

This introductory paragraph describes the value of the ideal wife in two ways:

(a) She is a woman who is both capable and good. Such a woman is hard to find and is extremely valuable (v. 10).

(b) She benefits her husband in many ways (vv. 11–12).

31:10

10a A wife of noble character, who can find?

10b She is far more precious than rubies.

31:10a

A wife of noble character, who can find?: This is a rhetorical question. It means that it is very difficult to find A wife of noble character. It implies that few such women are available for a man to marry. Some ways to translate this question are:

Use a slightly different rhetorical question. For example:

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? (New Living Translation (2004))

Use a rhetorical question and make the implied answer explicit. For example:

Is it easy to find a good wife with many abilities/skills? ⌊No, it is not.

Use a statement. For example:

It is hard to find a good wife (New Century Version)
-or-
There are very few⌋ virtuous and capable women that ⌊a person⌋ can find to marry.

A wife of noble character: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as noble character usually means “strength” or “power.” In this context, it indicates a wife who has a good, morally strong character and is also competent. Most versions use only one expression to describe her. For example:

a wife with a strong character (God’s Word)
-or-
A capable wife (New Revised Standard Version)

Some languages may have one expression that covers both meanings of the Hebrew word. If not, you may use more than one term. For example:

a clever wife with a good character

See how you translated A wife of noble character in 12:4.

31:10b

She is far more precious than rubies: In Hebrew, the word rubies may also refer to “red coral” (Revised English Bible) or “pearls” (New Jerusalem Bible). The meaning is uncertain. So some English versions use a more general term, such as “jewels” (English Standard Version). If you use a specific term such as “rubies” or “pearls,” be sure that these items are considered to be extremely valuable. See how you translated the same word in 20:15.

Some other ways to translate this line are:

She is far more precious than jewels. (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
For her value is far more than rubies (NET Bible)

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