Proverbs 11:16
A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
Original Language Analysis
חֵ֭ן
A gracious
H2580
חֵ֭ן
A gracious
Strong's:
H2580
Word #:
2 of 7
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
יִתְמְכוּ
men retain
H8551
יִתְמְכוּ
men retain
Strong's:
H8551
Word #:
3 of 7
to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close
כָּב֑וֹד
honour
H3519
כָּב֑וֹד
honour
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
Historical Context
Anticipates the virtuous woman portrait (ch.31). Ancient societies valued women's grace and men's strength as complementary virtues contributing to household and community flourishing.
Questions for Reflection
- What character qualities are you cultivating that will retain honor?
- How do you value both grace and strength appropriately in yourself and others?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
A gracious woman retains honor, and strong men retain riches. The parallelism suggests that character (grace) brings honor just as strength brings wealth. The woman of grace (chen - favor, kindness) maintains respect and reputation. This verse values feminine virtue while acknowledging masculine strength, recognizing different contributions of men and women to society's welfare.