*From The Excellent Woman of Proverbs 31 written in 1847 by Anne Pratt (1806-1893)
MANY DAUGHTERS HAVE DONE VIRTUOUSLY,
BUT THOU EXCELLEST THEM ALL.
BUT THOU EXCELLEST THEM ALL.
Proverbs 31:29
It does not seem probable that this high commendation is intended to be taken by the inspired writer as the praise given by God to the Jewish matron. Commentators generally refer, it to the warm expression of affection and esteem uttered either by her husband or children, on a review of her consistent and valuable life. Nor was this expression of an overflowing affection without justice or truth for one who acted so well would far exceed in virtue the generality of wives and mothers, and would probably be superior in worth to any woman known by those who praised her. The Septuagint, Syriac; and other versions render this passage, "Many daughters have gathered riches;" and as industry seems to have been a ruling feature in the character of Hebrew women generally, at this early period, this rendering would not be unsuitable. In such case, the praise would extend not only to the number of garments which she had wrought for merchandise, but to her skill in acquiring property, and her care in preventing an unnecessary expenditure of wealth.
From Hagar, down to Mary and Martha, the Bible presents pictures of womanly beauty that are unsurpassed and rarely paralleled.
If woman, then, appears as the companion and friend of man, if she rises to that noble position which is held by the mother of a family, she owes her elevation in the main to the religion of Moses and to that of Jesus.