"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies" (Prov. 31: 10, KJV).
Proverbs 31 is one of the key chapters in the Bible that outlines what characterizes a true godly woman [or wife]. The term "virtuous" (KJV) is rendered "excellent" in the ESV and NASB version. The question here from the author in the above Scripture text is posed as a challenge, "who can find a virtuous woman?" The truth implied here is that such a woman is rare. For the author, King Solomon knew this all too well, for he had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11: 3)! Not only is such a woman of worth rare, "but a faithful man who can find?" (Prov. 20: 6, KJV) "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be, for the faithful disappear from among the sons of men" (Psalm 12: 1, NASB).
Now the second half of Proverbs 31:10, "...for her price is far above rubies." tells us that such a woman is of great value to the man of God. "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life" (31:12, KJV). Now the word "rubies" (KJV, Darby) is translated "jewels" in the ESV and NASB versions. According to the references Job 28: 18; Proverbs 8: 11 to the main text, Proverbs 31: 10b the truth is conveyed that the "virtuous" woman's worth is far above ALL jewels.
It is interesting to note that the translators of the KJV version uses the "ruby" among jewels to compare the godly woman's worth to. Her worth being far above that of rubies. Since the colour of a ruby is red, this would remind us of the blood of Christ that was the price that was paid for her redemption, even the redemption of the bride of Christ the Church (See Eph. 5: 25)!
In one of my recent devotionals. Author, L. M. Grant wrote this insightful comment about the woman of worth:
"How refreshing to see in any good measure these qualities in a woman. But it is impossible apart from the grace of God having wrought in her heart. No material price can possibly give a recompense for her. The precious red ruby, or many of them together, have no comparison to her worth. But in the mention of the ruby is their not a veiled hint that her value is only measured by the precious blood of Christ, the price of her redemption? It is He Himself who has placed this value upon her." (The Lord is Near 2011, Wed., Nov. 2; by: L. M. Grant).
