Meaning, commentary and cross references
Proverbs 31:30
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
NIV · New International Version
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
WEB · World English Bible
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
What does Proverbs 31:30 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Proverbs 31:30
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain,.... A well favoured look, a graceful countenance, symmetry and proportion of parts, natural or artificial beauty, are vain and deceitful; oftentimes under them lies an ill natured, deformed, and depraved mind; nor is the pleasure and satisfaction enjoyed as is promised along with these; and particularly how do they fade (e) and consume away by a fit of illness, and through old age, and at last by death? And so vain and deceitful are the favour and beauty, the artificial paintings, of Jezebel, that whore of Rome; all her meretricious deckings, dressings, and ornaments; her gaudy pomp and show in her worship, and the places of it; see Revelation 17:4.…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Proverbs 31:27–31 (WEB)
27She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness. 28Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: 29“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.” 30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
Cross references
- Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
- 1 Peter 3:4–5
but from the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.
- Proverbs 11:22
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.
- Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
- 1 Peter 1:24
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all of man’s glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls;
- 1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.
- Esther 1:11–12
to bring Vashti the queen before the king wearing the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful.
- Psalms 147:11