Text -- Proverbs 12:4 (NET)

12:4 A noble wife is the crown of her husband, but the wife who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Pro 12:4

¹ tn Heb “a wife of virtue”; NAB, NLT “a worthy wife.” This noble woman (אֵשֶׁת־חַיִל, ’shet-khayil) is the subject of Prov 31. She is a “virtuous woman” (cf. KJV), a capable woman of noble character. She is contrasted with the woman who is disgraceful (מְבִישָׁה, mÿvishah; “one who causes shame”) or who lowers his standing in the community.

² sn The metaphor of the “crown” emphasizes that such a wife is a symbol of honor and glory.

³ tn Heb “she”; the referent (the wife) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁴ sn The simile means that the shameful acts of such a woman will eat away her husband’s strength and influence and destroy his happiness.