Proverbs 31:22 | Bible Study | Clothed in Purple

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Introduction: Proverbs 31:22 | Give Hope

Welcome to our Bible study  ‘AT FORESTS EDGE’! Let’s explore Proverbs 31:22 together!

I am glad you are meeting me AT FORESTS EDGE, where women can study the word of God together and encourage one another while we walk out our faith, embrace womanhood, and live fearlessly.

In this study of Proverbs 31, we will look at the twenty-second verse in context. I have broken the chapter up into mini-studies so that busy women like myself can take in the information in just a few minutes each day. 

If you have more time then feel free to continue to the next section whenever you are ready.

This study is perfect for a personal bible study or a women’s small group.

New here? The Proverbs 31 overview sets the stage for the context of the chapter, otherwise, let’s jump right into Proverbs 31 verse 22! 

Proverbs 31:22

“She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.”

Proverbs 31:22 NKJV

Strong’s Definitions of Proverbs 31:22:

tapestry- 

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible  H4765)מַרְבַד marbad, mar-bad’; from H7234; a coverlet:—covering of tapestry.

clothing- 

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible  H3830)לְבוּשׁ lᵉbûwsh, leb-oosh’; or לְבֻשׁ lᵉbush; from H3847; a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife:—apparel, clothed with, clothing, garment, raiment, vestment, vesture.

fine linen- 

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible  H8336)שֵׁשׁ shêsh, shaysh; or (for alliteration with H4897) שְׁשִׁי shᵉshîy; for H7893; bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble:—× blue, fine (twined) linen, marble, silk.

purple– 

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible  H713)אַרְגָּמָן ʼargâmân, ar-gaw-mawn’; of foreign origin; purple (the color or the dyed stuff):—purple.

Proverbs 31:22 Definitions from Webster’s 1828 Dictionary:

COVERLET,

 noun [cover, and a bed.] The cover of a bed; a piece of furniture designed to be spread over all the other covering of a bed.

PUR’PLE, 

adjective [Latin purpureus; purpura, a shell from which the color was obtained.]

1. Designating a color composed of red and blue blended, much admired, and formerly the Roman emperors wore robes of this color.

Summary of Proverbs 31:22

Her bed is covered with exquisite coverings that she has made. She is clothed in quality clothing from linen to precious purple material.

My notes from Proverbs 31:22

First Impression of Proverbs 31:22

When I first encountered this verse, both of the King James versions used the term tapestry. However, a word study revealed one of the interpretations was coverlet. Which is a bed covering. My imagination went from a detailed wall hanging to an exquisite bed covering. 

Most other translations use the term bed covering. This is why I like to use a comparative bible and a concordance to get the best understanding of the word. I know some people are adamant that only the King James Version is for them. Not all translations are great interpretations. You must decide for yourself which one works best for you, with wisdom. Or be open to digging deeper to make sure you have understanding. I like the NKJV, it tends to get the closest interpretation to other versions, however, in this instance, it does not.

Clothed in Purple: Origin of Purple Dye

Tyrian Purple, also known as Royal or Imperial purple, holds a fascinating history deeply rooted in the ancient world. Originating from the murex shellfish, this sought-after dye was initially crafted by the Phoenician city of Tyre during the Bronze Age. The dye’s creation was attributed to a pet dog’s accidental staining while biting a mollusk on the beach, sparking the inception of the famous dyeing industry.

This precious dye extracted from shellfish glands was famed for its striking purple to red color range and resistance to fading, making clothing dyed with Tyrian purple highly desirable and incredibly expensive. The manufacturing process involved thousands of crushed shellfish left to putrefy in the sun, extracting a dye used to color cloth fibers in shades ranging from pink to violet. The smell during this process might have been overwhelming, and the enormous quantity of shellfish required is evident in the piles of discarded shells found in ancient sites.

So highly esteemed was Tyrian purple that its value surpassed even that of gold. It was meticulously extracted from specific species of shellfish and skillfully manipulated by Phoenician experts, resulting in a rich deep purple, seemingly crimson in certain lights. This dye wasn’t just a luxurious coloring agent; it symbolized status, power, and wealth. Textiles dyed with Tyrian purple, especially those twice-dipped for the finest quality, were a luxury item, sought after for their striking colors and association with prestige. Its use extended beyond clothing, appearing in tribute lists and treasuries as valuable commodities alongside silver and gold.

Throughout ancient history, the Phoenicians and their colonies, such as Carthage, mastered the production and trade of Tyrian purple, making it a symbol of imperial authority and a marker of wealth and prestige. Despite being a luxury product, various cheaper alternatives emerged, although none could match the richness and durability of the authentic Tyrian purple. The dye’s impact and reputation have persisted across the centuries, representing an intriguing chapter in the ancient world’s economy, culture, and the concept of luxury.

Implications of the Proverbs 31 Woman’s Appearance

The Proverbs 31 woman is clothed in fine linen and purple which suggests she wears good quality, luxurious clothing for the time. Her clothes would have been expensive.

This poses two ideas:

1. A woman who is diligent in all things would also remember self-care. She would not neglect her appearance. She would dress in a God-honoring way while being presentable and welcoming. She also takes care of her home and makes it beautiful just like the bed coverings.
2. Her appearance could be a direct correlation to how her husband provides for her and takes care of her as well. In that time if a married woman wore fine linen and purple it would be obvious that her husband was taking care of her and that she was precious to him. 

If she was wearing ragged clothing it would give the opposite message.

To Trend or Not to Trend: That is the Question!

As a people, we don’t need to get caught up in trends and styles. Brands and labels are vain ideals. However, we can choose quality materials that will wear well over time and possibly lift our spirits.

I have come to the conclusion that I do not care for trendy clothing. As a kid growing up poor, I didn’t have the option to wear trendy brand-name clothing. Whatever my mother bought, I wore. 

There were boys in class wearing their Timberland boots and pointing at my rough-looking sneakers asking me what brand they were. I would just shrug it off and hope they wouldn’t pay any more attention to my attire. 

Self-care can be a Noble Task

As a wife and mother, I would put myself on the back burner. My priority was to make sure my family had everything they needed, while I would wear the same maternity clothes for many, many moons.

I thought I was being a good mom by sacrificing for my children. But wearing my husband’s t-shirts and a worn pair of leggings every day started to wear on my self-confidence. Sure I love the many moods of Chewbacca, but sometimes I just want to feel pretty.

I was shopping online for clothing that would let me embrace my femininity. Then I discovered that it included nothing that was trending today. I wondered, when did undergarments become clothing? 

I then had an epiphany, if I don’t want to wear clothing that’s popular, why don’t I figure out what kind of clothing I would feel my best in?

When I came across a hoodie dress that was reminiscent of a wood elf from Tolkien’s novels, I knew I had found my style. An inexpensive hoodie on Amazon sparked my creativity and made me light up. If the world can dress in undergarments then I could certainly dress however I like even if it isn’t trending. 

Healing Comes in Many Forms

My husband of course encourages me to do more for myself. Being married to him has brought me healing in more aspects than I knew I needed. He told me to get some clothes! I purchased a couple of items to get me started this fall/winter. I feel beautiful when I wear them.

The point of this story is, that when we take care of our appearance, we feel better. Which makes us better able to serve others. When we are not in a slump, then our attention is free to move forward in our day. I can be a better mom by practicing self-care. I don’t have to forget about myself entirely to take care of others.

I wouldn’t want my children to forget to take care of themselves, so I am making steps to show them what a healthy life looks like. Part of that is feeling confident in your day! So as I do my morning ablutions (getting ready) I know that my children will see a happy mom,  ready to take on the day!

Proverbs 11:25 Promise

“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”

Proverbs 11:25 NKJV

Every description of the Proverbs 31 woman is of a generous hard-working woman. Her desire is to take care of her family and provide for others around her. Proverbs 31:22 seems to talk about how she is blessed, however when you look at the verse in context you see a bigger picture. She blesses and is also blessed.

The proverbs 31 woman is well taken care of because she is so focused on helping those around her. I don’t believe she is dressed in fine linen and purple because her attitude is to wear the nicest clothing. I believe she is dressed that way because her actions and the actions of her husband have put them in a position where they can not only take care of themselves, but their generosity covers those around them in the same manner.

Reminder of What Proverbs 31 is Truly About

Just a reminder. Although the Proverbs 31 woman’s life is a great model for a woman’s heart and motives. We shouldn’t feel inadequate if we do not attain the high standards this woman has reached. 

These examples of a woman are a lesson from Bathsheba to Solomon of what to look for in a woman. She knows her son’s proclivity towards women and she wants to steer him towards a wife who will be a good help-mate, who is generous,wise and loving.

Proverbs 31 was intended for men. Not a strict set of orders for a woman to follow to be a good wife. Your heart and your motivation for your actions is what makes you a good wife and mother. And as I said earlier in the Proverbs 31 Overview, Jewish men sing this to their wives as praise on Shabbat!

It is good for husbands to offer praise to their wives. She is precious and how he responds toward her with love is important. So important that God repeatedly reminded husbands to love their wife in Ephesians 5!

So even though I like to draw wisdom from this chapter for my own progression. Remember, this is an overview of a lifetime and the main lesson teaches us to have the right motivations and a heart after God’s own heart. Love God, and love people. While it teaches men to desire a godly wife.

Simple Truths from Proverbs 31:22

1. The Proverbs 31 woman cares for others and is cared for in return.
2. It’s good to practice self-care. God loves you and wants you to be taken care of as much as your family is.
3. Generosity touches everyone around us, even ourselves. 

Questions to Ponder from Proverbs 31:22

1. Do you tend to care for others and ignore your own needs?
2. What is one thing you could focus on today that would take care of you?
3. Why have undergarments become clothing? If you have the answer let me know. I think we may have a generation that doesn’t know what it means to be loved. My goal is to pour into younger women and show them how precious they truly are. I hope you join me in that mission. There are enough critical spirits in this world. Let’s change the culture through real love and real relationships.

As we wrap up this leg of our journey AT FORESTS EDGE, remember that every step brings us closer to a stronger, more vibrant faith. Let’s keep growing hope together!

I hope this in-depth women’s bible study of Proverbs 31:22 is a blessing to you. 

I’d love to know if you have gained insight from the study. 

If you have never accepted Jesus as your Savior you can find out more about salvation.

The next study is Proverbs 31:23. You can go back and read Proverbs 31:21 or feel free to check out my favorite bible study tools.

I’d love for you to be my companion in this journey, join my newsletter, and let’s walk this journey together as we GROW HOPE!

Until we meet again,

Raeanna