Proverbs 8:28

8:28 when he established the clouds above,

when the fountains of the deep grew strong, ¹ 

Proverbs 31:17

31:17 She begins ²  her work vigorously,

and she strengthens ³  her arms.

Proverbs 24:5

24:5 A wise warrior ⁴  is strong, ⁵ 

and a man of knowledge makes his strength stronger;

[8:28]  ¹ tn To form a better parallel some commentators read this infinitive בַּעֲזוֹז (ba’azoz), “when [they] grew strong,” as a Piel causative, “when he made firm, fixed fast” (cf. NIV “fixed securely”; NLT “established”). But the following verse (“should not pass over”) implies the meaning “grew strong” here.

[31:17]  ² tn The first word of the eighth line begins with ח (khet), the eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

[31:17]  ³ sn The expression “she makes her arm strong” parallels the first half of the verse and indicates that she gets down to her work with vigor and strength. There may be some indication here of “rolling up the sleeves” to ready the arms for the task, but that is not clear.

[24:5]  ³ sn The twenty-first saying seems to be concerned with the need for wisdom in warfare. In line with that, the word used here is גֶּבֶר (gever), “mighty man; hero; warrior.”

[24:5]  ⁴ tn The expression בַּעוֹז (ba’oz) employs a beth essentiae, meaning he “is strong,” not “in strength.”