Proverbs 31 · Verse 18

Proverbs 31:18

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

Proverbs 31:18, King James Version

Proverbs 31:18 in other translations

BSB	She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
WEB	She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
ASV	She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable; Her lamp goeth not out by night.
YLT	She hath perceived when her merchandise is good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
DARBY	She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
BBE	She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.
Webster	She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

What does Proverbs 31:18 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 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good - 8. She takes care to manufacture the best articles of the kind, and to lay on a reasonable price that she may secure a ready sale. Her goods are in high repute, and she knows she can sell as much as she can make. And she finds that while she pleases her customers, she increases her own profits. 9. She is watchful and careful. Her candle - her lamp, burns all night, which is of great advantage in case of sudden alarms; and in the times and places where there were so many banditti, this was a very necessary family regulation. Perhaps some works were carried on during the night, those employed sleeping in the daytime. Thus labor never stood still; whilst some slept, others worked. This was no unusual thing in ancient times; and it prevails now; but alas! little children are often thus employed to help to support their indigent parents, and to fill the coffers of their unfeeling taskmasters.

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 31:18 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.

טָ֭עֲמָהTa.'a.mahshe perceivesH2938

כִּי\־ki-thatH3588

ט֣וֹבTov[is] goodH2896

סַחְרָ֑הּsach.Rahprofit herH5504

לֹֽא\־lo'-notH3808

יִכְבֶּ֖הyikh.Behit is extinguishedH3518

בַלַּ֣יְלָהva.la.yilin the nightH3915

נֵרָֽהּ\׃ne.Rahlamp herH5216

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

Cross references for Proverbs 31:18

1 Thessalonians 2:9
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
Matthew 25:3-10
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. …
Genesis 31:40
Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.
Psalms 127:2
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
2 Thessalonians 3:7-9
For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

perceiveth. Heb. tasteth. her candle.
Ge 31:40; Ps 127:2; Mt 25:3-10; 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:7-9

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

Context

Proverbs 31:17
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Proverbs 31:18
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
Proverbs 31:19
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

Read all of Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:18 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Gustó que era buena su granjería: su candela no se apagó de noche.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Elle éprouve que son trafic est bon; de nuit sa lampe ne s’éteint pas.
German Elberfelder 1871	Sie erfährt, daß ihr Erwerb gut ist: des Nachts geht ihr Licht nicht aus;
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Gustavit, et vidit quia bona est negotiatio ejus; non extinguetur in nocte lucerna ejus.