Proverbs 31:22 — Word Study
WLCמַרְבַדִּ֥ים עָֽשְׂתָה־ לָּ֑הּ שֵׁ֖שׁ וְאַרְגָּמָ֣ן לְבוּשָֽׁהּ׃
BSAShe makesʻâsâh■ [for herself, bedspreads/quilts] ◂coverings for her bedmarbad [of tapestry, ornamental] her clothinglᵉbûwsh [garments, fine linen] is fine linenshêsh [silk-like, alabaster, white] and purpleʼargâmân [dyed, royal]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מַרְבַדִּ֥ים | coverings | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| עָֽשְׂתָה־ | she makes | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| לָּ֑הּ | for herself | Preposition, suffix |
| שֵׁ֖שׁ | [is] fine linen | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְאַרְגָּמָ֣ן | and purple | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לְבוּשָֽׁהּ׃ | clothing her | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
| KJV | She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. |
| ASV | She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
| YLT | Ornamental coverings she hath made for herself, Silk and purple [are] her clothing. |
| WEB | She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
| BBE | She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple. |
The translations agree on the basic meaning of the verse, particularly regarding the woman's industriousness and the quality of her garments.
The main clause describes the woman's action, with additional phrases providing details about what she makes and her clothing.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָשָׂה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 31:22
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Virtuous Womangenerated
Proverbs 31:22 describes a woman who is skilled and industrious, making coverings for her bed and fine clothing. This verse highlights her ability to create beautiful and functional items, showcasing her role in the household. The surrounding verses emphasize her qualities, including her fearlessness and her husband's respect in the community, painting a picture of a well-rounded and admirable character.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 7:16 | I have decked my bed with coverings, with colored linen from Egypt. |
| 2 | Genesis 41:42 | Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck. |
| 3 | Esther 5:1 | On the third day, Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance. |
| 4 | Esther 8:15 | Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. |
| 5 | Psalm 45:13–14 | All glorious is the princess in her chamber; her gown is embroidered with gold. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מַרְבַדִּים, mar.va.Dimgenerated
The word מַרְבַד (marbad) is a noun that refers to coverings, specifically decorative textiles like tapestries or quilts. It is derived from a root meaning to cover, indicating its function as a protective or ornamental layer.
In this verse, it emphasizes the woman's skill in creating beautiful bed coverings, reflecting her attention to detail and care for her home. The plural form suggests a variety of coverings, enhancing the imagery of her industriousness.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses coverings for מַרְבַדִּים, and this is consistent across the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is עָשְׂתָה, she makes, which governs the entire sentence. The structure includes a noun phrase for the subject and two noun phrases that describe what she makes.
The order of the Hebrew words places emphasis on her actions first, followed by the details of the items she creates, highlighting her industriousness.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מַרְבַדִּים as ξλαίνας, which refers to coverings or garments. This choice narrows the focus to the functional aspect of the textiles, emphasizing their practical use.
The translation of עָשְׂתָה as ἐνδύματα also highlights the act of making garments, aligning with the overall theme of the woman's industrious nature.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 31:22 describes a woman who makes beautiful coverings for her bed and wears fine linen and purple clothing. This verse highlights her skill and care in creating items that enhance her home and appearance.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies her industriousness and attention to detail in caring for her household.
Fine linen represents luxury and quality, indicating the woman's ability to provide beautiful and high-quality items.
Purple was a color associated with royalty and wealth, suggesting that the woman is dignified and of high status.
It reflects the theme of the virtuous woman who is capable, industrious, and respected, embodying the ideal qualities of a wife and mother.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I demonstrate diligence in my own responsibilities?
- How can I appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship in the things around me?
- What qualities do I admire in others that reflect the virtuous woman described in this passage?
- How can I create a nurturing environment in my home, similar to the woman in this verse?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, interpreting the woman's actions as reflective of the Church's virtues and the beauty of good works.
The beauty of a good thing pleases the more, if it be shown under various aspects. For those are good things, whereof the texture of the priestly robe was the token, that is to say, either the Law or the church,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 31 →
She made herself a striped garment, etc. A striped garment, which is usually made very strong by varied weaving, signifies the strong works of the Church and her diverse ornaments of virtues.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 31 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 31:22 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleShe maketh herself coverings of tapestry,.... For the furniture and ornament of her house, or for her bed; which may signify the ordinances of the Gospel, and the decent, orderly, and beautiful
Read John Gill on Proverbs 31 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWho can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The praises of a virtuous woman; forming a Hebrew acrostic. The 22 years begin with the several 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet consecutively; M.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 31 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleCoverings of tapestry, for the furniture of her house. Silk and purple, which was very agreeable to her high quality, though it doth not justify that luxury in attire which is now usual among persons of far lower ranks, both for wealth and dignity.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 31 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.Ver. 22. Her clothing is silk and purple.] Suitable to her husband’ s condition, who is a principal man. That is excellent counsel that Tertullian gives women, Vestite vos serico pietatis, byssino sanctitatis, purpura pudicitiae: Clothe yourselves with the silk of piety, with the satin of sanctity, with the purple of modesty, &c. See 1 Peter 3:3-4. Lib. de cultu faem.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 31 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 22. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry] 13. She is not regardless either of her own person, or of the decent, proper appearance of her presses and wardrobe. She has coverings or carpeting for her guests to sit upon; she has also tapestry, מרבדים marbaddim, either tapestry, carpeting, or quilted work for her beds; and her own clothing is שש shesh, flne flax, or linen cloth, and purple; probably for a cloak or mantle. The fine linen or cotton cloth of Egypt is probably intended. I have often seen it wrapping the bodies of mummies; it is something like our coarse calico. The purple was supposed to have been dyed by a precious liquor obtained from the pinna magna, a large shellfish…
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 31 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges22. coverings] i.e. carpets or cushions, to be spread out on the bed or divan. Comp. Proverbs 7:16. silk] Rather, fine linen, as the word is rendered both of Egyptian robes of honour (Genesis 41:42) and of the Jewish High-priest’s garments (Exodus 28:39), as well as of the coverings of the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:1; Exodus 27:9; Exodus 27:18). Though it is not improbable that silk may have been among the articles of commerce introduced by Solomon, there is no certainty as to when it was first known to the Hebrews. See Smith’s Dict. of Bible, Art. silk. The rendering of the LXX. here (ἐκδὲβύσσουκαὶπορφύραςἑαυτῇἐνδύματα) is interesting when compared with the “purple and fine linen”…
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 31 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSilk - Better, fine linen, the byssus of Egypt.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 31 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible22. Coverings of tapestry — Coverlets woven of wool and silk, often enriched with gold and silver, representing various figures.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 31 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
She makes for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Tyndale line
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
She maketh her selfe carpets: fine linen and purple is her garment.
Strictly literal
She maketh herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple.
Ornamental coverings she hath made for herself, Silk and purple [are] her clothing.
She has made ornamental coverings for herself, || Silk and purple [are] her clothing.
Tapestry-covering she maketh for herself: of linen and purple is her attire.
She makes coverings for her bed, and she wears clothes of fine purple linen.
From the Latin
She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple is her covering.
Simplified
She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads מַרְבַדִּ֥ים עָֽשְׂתָה־ לָּ֑הּ שֵׁ֖שׁ וְאַרְגָּמָ֣ן לְבוּשָֽׁהּ׃, while the Septuagint matches three of the six words. This indicates some consistency between the texts, though the Septuagint's word order differs.
מַרְבַדִּ֥ים עָֽשְׂתָה־ לָּ֑הּ שֵׁ֖שׁ וְאַרְגָּמָ֣ן לְבוּשָֽׁהּ׃
3 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 31:22
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מַרְבָד (marbad) refers to a type of covering or spread, specifically a coverlet or tapestry. It is derived from the root word meaning to cover. The entries consistently describe it as a textile used for covering.
[מַרְבָד] n.[m.] spread, coverlet
base
H4765 מַרְבָד, מַרְבַד
4765 marbad mar-bad'
from 7234; a coverlet:--covering of tapestry.
see HEBREW for 07234
מַרְבָד (mar.vad) — covering.
spread, coverlet
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.
עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make
Qal 2524
do (1560 t.)
deal with
oft. in phr. do kindness with
abs. act, act with effect
make (670 t.)
produce, yield
prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
make offering
attend to, put in order
observe, celebrate, religious festival
acquire property of various kinds
appoint priests
bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
use
spend, pass, days of life
Niph.
97be done
be made, of concr. things
be produced from vine
be prepared, of food
be offered
be observed, passover
be used
Pu. I was made
base
[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze
base
H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)
. deal with
. oft. in phr. do kindness with
. abs. act, act with effect
. . make (670 + t.)
. produce, yield
. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
. make offering
. attend to, put in order
. observe, celebrate, religious festival
. acquire property of various kinds
. appoint priests
. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
. use
. spend, pass, days of life
. . be done
. . be made, of concr. things
. be produced from vine
. be prepared, of food
. be offered
. be observed, passover
. be used
. I was made
H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze
6213 `asah aw-saw'
a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and
widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,
appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,
bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal
(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)
execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +
finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go
about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X
indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,
make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,
bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,
provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,
spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be
(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.
: do/perform
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
1a2c) to prepare
1a2d) to make (an offering)
1a2e) to attend to, put in order
1a2f) to observe, celebrate
1a2g) to acquire (property)
1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute
1a2i) to bring about
1a2j) to use
1a2k) to spend, pass
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be done
1b2) to be made
1b3) to be produced
1b4) to be offered
1b5) to be observed
1b6) to be used
1c) (Pual) to be made
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.
(Piel) to press, squeeze
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.
: make(OBJECT)
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
הָ (ha) — her.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person feminine singular
HR/Sp3fs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3fs
שֵׁשׁ (shesh) refers to fine materials, primarily white linen or byssus, often associated with Egyptian textiles. It can also denote alabaster or similar stones like marble, indicating a range of meanings related to both fabric and stone. The entries suggest a connection to bleached or fine materials, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
שֵׁשׁ n.m. id. [שַׁ֫יִשׁ]; material of pavement
base
שֵׁשׁ n.m. byssus, fine Egyptian linen
base
H8336a שֵׁשׁ id. [שַׁ֫יִשׁ] H8336b שֵׁשׁ byssus, fine Egyptian linen
8336 shesh shaysh
or (for alliteration with 4897) shshiy {shesh-ee'}; for 7893;
bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble:--X
blue, fine ((twined)) linen, marble, silk.
see HEBREW for 04897
see HEBREW for 07893
שֵׁשׁ (shesh) — alabaster.
alabaster, similar stone, marble, material of pavement
שֵׁשׁ (shesh) — linen.
something bleached white, byssus, linen, fine linen
Adj — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
lin'-en (badh, "white linen," used chiefly for priestly robes, buts, "byssus," a fine white Egyptian linen, called in the earlier writings shesh; pesheth, "flax," cadhin; bussos, othonion, linon, sindon): Thread or cloth made of flax.
1. History:
Ancient Egypt was noted for its fine linen (Ge 41:42; Isa 19:9). From it a large export trade was carried on with surrounding nations, including the Hebrews, who early learned the art of spinning from the Egyptians (Ex 35:25) and continued to rely on them for the finest linen (Pr 7:16; Eze 27:7). The culture of flax in Palestine probably antedated the conquest, for in
Linen
(1.) Heb., pishet, pishtah, denotes “flax,” of which linen is made (Isa. 19:9); wrought flax, i.e., “linen cloth”, Lev. 13:47, 48, 52, 59; Deut. 22:11.
Flax was early cultivated in Egypt (Ex. 9:31), and also in Palestine (Josh. 2:6; Hos. 2:9). Various articles were made of it: garments (2 Sam. 6:14), girdles (Jer. 13:1), ropes and thread (Ezek. 40:3), napkins (
cloth made from flax. Several different Hebrew words are rendered linen, which may denote different fabrics of linen or different modes of manufacture. Egypt was the great centre of the linen trade. Some linen, made form the Egyptian byssus , a flax that grew on the banks of the Nile, was exceedingly soft and of dazzling whiteness. This linen has been sold for twice its weight in gold. Sir J.G. Wilkinson says of it, "The quality of the fine linen fully justifies all the praises of antiquity, and excites equal admiration at the present day, being to the touch comparable to silk, and not inferior in texture to our finest cambric."
As is well known, is made of the fine fibers of flax, and was much used by the ancients. Four different words in Hebrew are translated in our Bible, "Linen," "fine linen," and "silk:" PISHTAH, Jud 15:14 Eze 44:17,18; BAD, worn by the priests, Ex 28:42 39:28, and by king David, etc., 2Sa 6:14; SHESH, worn by Joseph when governor of Egypt, Ge 41:42, and by the virtuous woman in Pr 31:22, (see SILK;) and BUTZ, of which the veil of the temple and David’s outer mantle were made,
אַרְגָּמָן (argaman) refers to the color purple or the dyed material itself, specifically purple thread and cloth. The entries indicate that it encompasses shades of purple and red-purple, with a focus on its use in textiles.
אַרְגָּמָן n.[m.] purple, red-purple, i.e. purple thread & cloth
base
H713 אַרְגָּמָן purple
713 'argaman ar-gaw-mawn'
of foreign origin; purple (the color or the dyed
stuff):--purple.
אַרְגָּמָן (ar.ga.man) — purple.
purple, red-purple
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
pur'-p'-l ('argaman; Chaldaic 'argewan (2Ch 2:7); compare Arabic 'urjuwan, and Persian 'arghawan; porphura, porphureos Septuagint and New Testament)):
Purple dye was manufactured by the Phoenicians from a marine mollusk, Murex trunculus. The shell was broken in order to give access to a small gland which was removed and crushed. The crushed gland gives a milky fluid that becomes red or purple on exposure to the air. Piles of these broken shells still remain on the coast at Sidon and Tyre. The purple gland is found in various species of Murex and also of Purpura.
Purple cloth was used in the furnishings of the tabernacle (Ex 25:4, etc.) and of Solomon's temple (2Ch 2:14; 3:14); in the palanquin of Solomon (
The famous and costly Tyrian purple, the royal color of the ancients, is said to have been discovered by the Tyrian Hercules, whose dog having by chance eaten a shellfish called Purpura, and returning to his master with his lips tinged with a purple color, occasioned the discovery of this precious dye. Purple, however, is much more ancient than this, since we find it mentioned by Moses in several places. Two kinds of purple are mentioned in the Old Testament:
1. Argamon, rendered in our version "purple," denoting a reddish purple obtained from a species of muscle or shellfish found on the coasts of the Mediterranean.
2. Techieleth, rendered in the English Bible "blue." This was a bluish or cerulean purple, likewise obtained from another species of shellfish. The "scarlet" or "crimson," for the two words denote essentially the same color, was produced from the coccus in sect, coccus…
לְבוּשׁ (lebush) refers to clothing or garments in a literal or figurative sense, and can also imply a euphemism for a wife. It encompasses terms like apparel and raiment. The word is derived from a root meaning related to clothing, and its Aramaic equivalent is noted as well.
לְבוּשׁ, לְבֻשׁ n.m. garment, clothing, raiment
base
H3830 לְבוּשׁ, לְבֻשׁ garment, clothing, raiment
3830 lbuwsh leb-oosh'
or lbush {leb-oosh'}; from 3847; a garment (literally or
figuratively); by implication (euphem.) a wife:--apparel,
clothed with, clothing, garment, raiment, vestment, vesture.
see HEBREW for 03847
לְבוּשׁ (le.vush) — clothing.
clothing, garment, apparel, raiment
Aramaic equivalent: le.vush (לְבוּשׁ "garment" H3831)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3fs