Bible Strands
Proverbs 31:27
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The poet describes the capable woman, framing her daily conduct between her wise instruction in verse 26 and her family’s public praise in verse 28.
The words — צ֭וֹפִיָּה (Tzo.fi.yah) denotes watching over, while עַ֝צְל֗וּת ('atz.Lut) literally means laziness or idleness.
The thread — This emphasis on disciplined domestic labor echoes the early church’s expectations for widows in 1 Timothy 5:10, the training of younger women in Titus 2:4, and the apostolic command against idleness in 2 Thessalonians 3:6.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to manage household affairs actively and reject unproductive leisure as a violation of faithful stewardship.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 5:10 and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
- Titus 2:4 In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children,
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.
- Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.