Proverbs 31:20
in Proverbs 31She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
KJV
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
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This verse in Proverbs 31
Commentary
10 notes on this verseShe stretcheth out her hand to the poor - 11. She is truly charitable. She knows that in every portion of a man’s gain God requires a lot for the poor; and if this is not given, God’s blessing is not in the rest. And she is not contented to give common alms. While with one hand (יד yad) she relieves the general poor, with both hands (ידיה yadeyha) she gives to the needy, לעני leaney, to the afflicted poor.
This site's exposition
She opens her arms to the poor
on Proverbs 31:20-24
"She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy" sets her wealth toward charity. Her coverings, "fine linen and purple," are real luxury, the fruit of the labor already described. Her husband is known at the city gate among the elders.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
Brethren, let us not be ashamed to practice holy works of wool. If anyone has a full storeroom or granary, all those things are on the distaff; let them pass over to the spindle. They are on the left side as long as you do …
The Medieval Church2 voices
"She opened her hand to the needy," etc. This can indeed be understood concerning works of alms which are generally done for the poor, but it is better understood concerning the word of the Lord, which confers the garment of salvation upon souls. Of this …
A commentator
BonaventureCollationes de Septem Donis, Collation 9 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
The fifth column of the house of wisdom is liberality in effect. Wisdom wills to have mercy not only in affection, but also in effect. "She opened her hand to the needy and stretched out her palms to the poor. She opened her mouth to …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — verbatim-scripture
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor,.... Her liberality is very extensive, reaches to many, and at a distance; it is done with great cheerfulness and readiness; to do good and communicate, she forgets not, it being acceptable to her Lord and husband, Heb 13:16; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy; she gives with both hands, liberally and largely. It may be applied to the church, giving spiritual food by her ministers to those who are poor in spirit, spiritually poor and needy, and who hunger and thirst after righteousness.
3 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
How forcible are right words! In her tongue is the law of grace, or mercy (so some read it), understanding it of the word and law of God, which she delights to talk of among her children and servants. She is full of pious religious discourse, and manages it prudently, which shows how full her heart is of another world even when her hands are most busy about this world.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
In Hebrew the verses begin with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order (compare Introduction to Poetical Books). Who . . . woman--The question implies that such are rare, though not entirely wanting (compare Pr 18:22; 19:14). virtuous--literally, "of strength," that is, moral courage (compare Pr 12:4;
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
The industry is not selfish, but bears the fruit of an open-handed charity.
The words behind it
6 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| כַּ֭פָּהּ | kapah | palm her | H3709 → | 192 times |
| פָּרְשָׂ֣ה | paresah | she spreads out | H6566 → | 67 times |
| לֶעָנִ֑י | leani | to <the> poor [person] | H6041 → | 73 times |
| וְ֝יָדֶ֗יהָ | veyadeiha | and hands her | H3027 → | 1618 times |
| שִׁלְּחָ֥ה | shilechah | she stretches out | H7971 → | 845 times |
| לָֽאֶבְיֽוֹן׃ | laevyon | to the needy [person] | H34 → | 61 times |
כַּ֭פָּהּpalm her
kapahH3709 →192 times
פָּרְשָׂ֣הshe spreads out
paresahH6566 →67 times
לֶעָנִ֑יto <the> poor [person]
leaniH6041 →73 times
וְ֝יָדֶ֗יהָand hands her
veyadeihaH3027 →1618 times
שִׁלְּחָ֥הshe stretches out
shilechahH7971 →845 times
לָֽאֶבְיֽוֹן׃to the needy [person]
laevyonH34 →61 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Proverbs 19:17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
it leads to
- Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 28:27
Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
- Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured…
- 2 Corinthians 9:6–8
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
- Hebrews 6:10
Through
Hebrews 13:16And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
it leads to
- Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:13
But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary in well-doing.
- Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
- Hebrews 13:1–2
Continue in brotherly love.
- Galatians 6:10
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About Proverbs
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on Proverbs; Bonaventure, Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 9; Caesarius of Arles, SERMON 139:4; Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.