Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. New Living Translation She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. English Standard Version She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. Berean Standard Bible She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. King James Bible She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. New King James Version She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. New American Standard Bible She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. NASB 1995 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. NASB 1977 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. Legacy Standard Bible She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. Amplified Bible She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure]; She brings her [household’s] food from far away. Christian Standard Bible She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away. Holman Christian Standard Bible She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away. American Standard Version She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar. Contemporary English Version She is like a sailing ship that brings food from across the sea. English Revised Version She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her food from afar. GOD'S WORD® Translation She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from far away. Good News Translation She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do. International Standard Version She is like a seagoing ship that brings her food from far away. Majority Standard Bible She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. NET Bible She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. New Heart English Bible She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. Webster's Bible Translation She is like the merchant's ships; she bringeth her food from afar. World English Bible She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionShe has been as ships of the merchant, "" She brings in her bread from afar. Young's Literal Translation She hath been as ships of the merchant, From afar she bringeth in her bread. Smith's Literal Translation She was as the ships of the merchant; from far off she will bring her bread. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleShe is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar. Catholic Public Domain Version She has become like a merchant’s ship, bringing her bread from far away. New American Bible Like a merchant fleet, she secures her provisions from afar. New Revised Standard Version She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleShe is like the merchant's ship, she brings her merchandise from afar. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated She has been like a merchant's ship that brings its merchandise from far away. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her food from afar. Brenton Septuagint Translation She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Virtues of a Noble Woman…13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.… Cross References Matthew 13:45-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it. Proverbs 31:10-12 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, / but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God. 1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, / but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. Ruth 3:11 And now do not be afraid, my daughter. I will do for you whatever you request, since all my fellow townspeople know that you are a woman of noble character. 1 Kings 10:22 For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. Acts 16:14 Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. Ezekiel 27:12-25 Tarshish was your merchant because of your great wealth of goods; they exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your wares. / Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your merchants. They exchanged slaves and bronze utensils for your merchandise. / The men of Beth-togarmah exchanged horses, war horses, and mules for your wares. ... Isaiah 23:8 Who planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose traders are princes, whose merchants are renowned on the earth? Job 28:12-19 But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell? / No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. / The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’ ... 1 Corinthians 7:34 and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband. Luke 12:27-28 Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. / If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith! Genesis 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon. 2 Chronicles 9:21 For the king had the ships of Tarshish that went with Hiram’s servants, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. Psalm 107:23-30 Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters. / They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. / For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. ... Treasury of Scripture She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar. Proverbs 31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 1 Kings 9:26-28 And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom… 2 Chronicles 9:10 And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones. Jump to Previous Afar Bread Far Food Getting Merchant Merchants ShipsJump to Next Afar Bread Far Food Getting Merchant Merchants ShipsProverbs 31 1. Lemuel's lesson of chastity and temperance6. The afflicted are to be comforted and defended 10. The praise and properties of a good wife She is like the merchant ships This phrase draws a comparison between the virtuous woman and merchant ships, emphasizing her industrious nature and resourcefulness. Merchant ships in ancient times were vital for trade and commerce, often traveling long distances to bring valuable goods. This imagery suggests that the woman is diligent and proactive in seeking out the best resources for her household. In biblical times, merchant ships were a symbol of wealth and prosperity, indicating that the woman contributes significantly to her family's well-being. The comparison also highlights her ability to manage and oversee complex tasks, much like a ship's captain. This aligns with the biblical theme of wisdom and diligence found in Proverbs, where wisdom is often personified as a woman (Proverbs 8). bringing her food from afar Persons / Places / Events 1. The Virtuous WomanThe subject of Proverbs 31, often referred to as the "Proverbs 31 Woman," is an idealized figure representing wisdom, diligence, and virtue. She embodies the qualities that are esteemed in a godly woman. 2. Merchant Ships In ancient times, merchant ships were vital for trade and commerce, bringing goods from distant lands. They symbolize resourcefulness, diligence, and the ability to provide for one's household. 3. The Household The context of the passage is the household of the virtuous woman, which benefits from her industriousness and foresight. Teaching Points Diligence and ResourcefulnessThe virtuous woman exemplifies diligence and resourcefulness, qualities that are essential for managing a household effectively. Like merchant ships, she seeks out the best resources, even if it requires effort and distance. Provision and Care Providing for one's family is a biblical principle. The Proverbs 31 Woman's actions demonstrate a commitment to ensuring her household's needs are met, reflecting God's provision for His people. Wisdom in Stewardship The comparison to merchant ships highlights the importance of wise stewardship. She carefully selects and brings in what is beneficial, teaching us to be discerning in our choices and investments. Embracing God-given Roles Embracing the roles and responsibilities God has given us, whether in the home or elsewhere, is a way to honor Him. The virtuous woman serves as a model for fulfilling one's duties with excellence and faithfulness.(14) She bringeth her food from afar.--Looks for opportunities of buying cheaply at a distance from home, instead of paying a larger price on the spot.Verse 14. - HE. She is like the merchants' ships. She is like them in that she extends her operations beyond her own immediate neighbourhood, and bringeth her food from afar, buying in the best markets and on advantageous terms, without regard to distance, and being always on the look out to make honest profit. Septuagint, "She is like a ship trading from a distance, and she herself gathereth her livelihood." The expressions in the text point to active commercial operations by sea as well as land, such as we know to have been undertaken by Solomon, Jehoshaphat, and others (1 Kings 9:26; 1 Kings 22:48), and such as the Hebrews must have noticed in the Phoenician cities, Sidon and Tyre. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew She isהָ֭יְתָה (hā·yə·ṯāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be like the merchant סוֹחֵ֑ר (sō·w·ḥêr) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5503: To go around or about, travel about ships, כָּאֳנִיּ֣וֹת (kā·’o·nî·yō·wṯ) Preposition-k | Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 591: A ship bringing תָּבִ֥יא (tā·ḇî) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go her food לַחְמָֽהּ׃ (laḥ·māh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain from afar. מִ֝מֶּרְחָ֗ק (mim·mer·ḥāq) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4801: Remoteness, a distant place, from afar Links Proverbs 31:14 NIVProverbs 31:14 NLT Proverbs 31:14 ESV Proverbs 31:14 NASB Proverbs 31:14 KJV Proverbs 31:14 BibleApps.com Proverbs 31:14 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 31:14 Chinese Bible Proverbs 31:14 French Bible Proverbs 31:14 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 31:14 She is like the merchant ships (Prov. 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