where he sits among the elders of the land
Sitting among the elders signifies a role of leadership and wisdom. In biblical times, elders were respected leaders who provided guidance and made important decisions for the community. This phrase indicates that the husband is not only respected but also actively involved in the governance and decision-making processes of the city. The elders were often responsible for interpreting the law and ensuring justice, roles that required discernment and moral character. This connection to the elders highlights the husband's esteemed position and suggests a parallel to the wisdom literature's emphasis on living a life guided by godly principles. The imagery of sitting among the elders can also be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate wise leader and judge.

Proverbs 31 celebrates a married woman whose diligent, God-fearing life impacts her household. The verse opens by pointing to “her husband,” reminding us that marriage in Scripture is a covenant partnership (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:22-33).

• He is not anonymous; his identity is closely tied to the excellence of his wife (Proverbs 12:4, “A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown”).

• The wording assumes the husband is alive, present, and engaged—a literal man who benefits from real actions, not an abstract ideal.

• His standing illustrates the ripple effect of a virtuous woman’s work (cf. Psalm 128:3-4, where a fruitful wife blesses the whole family).

Reputation is in view. A good name outranks riches (Proverbs 22:1).

• “Is known” points to consistent public recognition; people regularly speak well of him.

• That recognition is earned, not self-advertised (Luke 14:11).

• His fame grows because his wife’s industrious management frees him to serve others (1 Timothy 3:7 expects leaders to have “a good reputation with outsiders”).

The gates were the civic hub—commerce (Nehemiah 13:19-22), legal decisions (Deuteronomy 21:19), and public announcements (Ruth 4:1-11) all happened there.

• Being known “at the city gates” places this verse in literal history; Solomon’s audience pictured elders conducting business just inside fortified entrances.

• It also highlights influence beyond the home: the husband’s impact stretches to the marketplace and the court.

• The woman’s hidden labor inside the house produces visible fruit outside.

To sit in the ancient Near East often signified authority and judgment (Job 29:7-8).

• Not frantic standing or begging for a hearing—he sits, respected, welcomed.

• The verb cues stability and settled leadership (cf. Psalm 1:1, “does not sit in the seat of mockers,” implying that seats matter).

• His confident posture mirrors the inner peace produced by a well-ordered household (Proverbs 14:26).

Elders were mature men entrusted with legal, spiritual, and communal oversight (Deuteronomy 16:18; 1 Peter 5:1-3).

• The husband qualifies for that circle because his own household is exemplary (Titus 1:6, “having faithful children, not accused of dissipation”).

• His wife’s faithfulness undergirds his credibility; she is the unseen ally who makes public service sustainable.

• The verse underscores complementary roles: her domestic strength empowers his civic leadership, and together they honor God (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

Proverbs 31:23 presents a real man, lifted into public esteem because of a real woman’s diligent, godly life. His reputation flourishes “at the city gates,” he confidently “sits,” and he takes his place “among the elders of the land.” The literal scene assures us that when a wife fears the Lord and manages her home with excellence, her husband gains respect, the community gains wise leadership, and God’s design for marriage shines for all to see.

Καὶ δὲ σοὶ αὐτῷ ἔοικε μετὰ πρώτοισιν ἐόντα
Βουλὰς βουλεύειν καθαρὰ χροί εἵματ ἔχοντα
('Odyssey,' 6:60.)

"For our costly robes,
All sullied now, the cleansing stream require;
And thine especially, when thou appear'st
In council with the princes of the land,
Had need be pure."

(Cowper.) St. Gregory sees here an adumbration of the day of judgment: "For the Redeemer of mankind is the "Husband" of holy Church, who shows himself 'renowned' (nobilis, Vulgate) in the gates. Who first came in sight in degradation and in mockings, but shall appear on high at the entering in of his kingdom; and 'he sitteth among the elders of the land,' for that he shall decree sentence of condemnation together with the holy preachers of that same Church, as himself declares in the gospel (Matthew 19:28)" ('Moral.,' 6:9).

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