Proverbs 31:15
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Original Language Analysis
וַתָּ֤קָם׀
She riseth
H6965
וַתָּ֤קָם׀
She riseth
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 8
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
בְּע֬וֹד
H5750
בְּע֬וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
לַ֗יְלָה
also while it is yet night
H3915
לַ֗יְלָה
also while it is yet night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
וַתִּתֵּ֣ן
and giveth
H5414
וַתִּתֵּ֣ן
and giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 8
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
טֶ֣רֶף
meat
H2964
טֶ֣רֶף
meat
Strong's:
H2964
Word #:
5 of 8
something torn, i.e., a fragment, e.g., a fresh leaf, prey, food
לְבֵיתָ֑הּ
to her household
H1004
לְבֵיתָ֑הּ
to her household
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
6 of 8
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Cross References
Romans 12:11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;Proverbs 20:13Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.Mark 1:35And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.Luke 12:42And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern households rose at dawn for agricultural work. Rising 'while yet night' demonstrates extraordinary diligence. Including servants ('maidens') in provision reflects covenant justice—employees were part of the household, not disposable labor (Deuteronomy 24:14-15).
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'rising while it is yet night' look like in your leadership—are you sacrificially serving those in your care?
- How does giving a 'portion to maidens' (just treatment of employees/those you lead) reflect God's justice versus exploitative labor?
- In what ways does Christ's sacrificial provision ('I am the bread of life,' John 6:35) challenge your approach to leadership and stewardship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
She riseth also while it is yet night—The Hebrew b'od lailah (בְּעוֹד לַיְלָה, while still night) describes rising before dawn. Giveth meat to her household uses teref (טֶרֶף, prey/food), originally referring to a hunter's catch—provision through effort. And a portion to her maidens (וְחֹק לְנַעֲרֹתֶיהָ, v'choq l'na'aroteha) shows justice—choq (חֹק, portion/statute) implies not leftovers but prescribed, fair allocation.
This images God who 'rises early' (Jeremiah 7:13, 25) to send prophets—divine diligence for His household. Leadership means sacrificial service (Mark 10:44-45). Christ the Good Shepherd rises to feed His flock, giving not just provision but Himself (John 10:11). The virtuous woman's pre-dawn rising rebukes both sloth and self-serving leadership that hoards rather than distributes resources justly.