Proverbs 31 · Verse 15

Proverbs 31:15

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Proverbs 31:15, King James Version

Proverbs 31:15 in other translations

BSBShe rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
WEBShe rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
ASVShe riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.
YLTYea, she riseth while yet night, And giveth food to her household, And a portion to her damsels.
DARBYAnd she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens.
BBEShe gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.
WebsterShe riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

What does Proverbs 31:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 31:10-31

10-31. This exquisite picture of a truly lovely wife is conceived and drawn in accordance with the customs of Eastern nations, but its moral teachings suit all climes. In Hebrew the verses begin with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order (compare Introduction to Poetical Books). Who ... woman--The question implies that such are rare, though not entirely wanting (compare Pr 18:22; 19:14). virtuous--literally…

Read the full comment on Proverbs 31:10-31 →

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 15 She riseth also while it is yet night - 4. She is an economist of time; and when the nights are long, and the days short, her family not only spend a part of the evening after sunset in domestic labor, but they all arise before daylight, and prepare the day's food, that they may not have their labor interrupted. To those who are going to the fields, and to the flocks, she gives the food necessary for the day: טרף teref, prey, a term taken from hunting, the object of which was, the supplying their natural wants: hence applied to daily food. See notes on Pro 30:8. And to the women who are to be employed within she gives חק chok, the task - the kind of work they are to do, the materials out of which they are to form it, and the quantity she expects from each. Thus all the servants are settled: their food, work, and tasks appointed. Every thing is done orderly.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 31:10-31

This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her. 1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good. 2. She is one…

Read the full comment on Proverbs 31:10-31 →

Proverbs 31:15 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַתָּ֤קָם\׀va.Ta.komand she roseH6965
בְּע֬וֹדbe.'odwhen stillH5750
לַ֗יְלָהLay.lahnightH3915
וַתִּתֵּ֣ןva.ti.Tenand she gaveH5414
טֶ֣רֶףTe.reffoodH2964
לְבֵיתָ֑הּle.vei.Tahto household herH1004
וְ֝חֹ֗קve.Chokand an allotted portionH2706
לְנַעֲרֹתֶֽיהָ\׃le.na.'a.ro.Tei.hato female servants herH5291

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 31:15

  • Romans 12:11

    Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

  • Mark 1:35

    And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

  • Luke 12:42

    And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

  • Proverbs 20:13

    Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:10

    Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:15

    And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

  • Psalms 119:147-148

    I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

  • Joshua 3:1

    And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
riseth.
Jos 3:1; 2Ch 36:15; Ps 119:147,148; Ec 9:10; Mr 1:35; Ro 12:11
and giveth.
Mt 24:25; Lu 12:42

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 31:14

    She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

  • Proverbs 31:15

    She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

  • Proverbs 31:16

    She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Read all of Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:15 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Levantóse aun de noche, y dió comida á su familia, y ración á sus criadas.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Elle se lève quand il est encore nuit, et elle donne la nourriture à sa maison, et la tâche à ses servantes.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und sie steht auf, wenn es noch Nacht ist, und bestimmt die Speise für ihr Haus und das Tagewerk für ihre Mägde.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et de nocte surrexit, deditque prædam domesticis suis, et cibaria ancillis suis.