Proverbs 31:28 Meaning of Her Children Arise and Call Her Blessed

Proverbs 31:28
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

Explanation and Commentary of Proverbs 31:28

Proverbs 31 is about “A woman who fears the Lord” (Prov 31:30). She is to be honored for “all her hands have done” (Prov 31:31). God made men and women in his image to be equal but different. They are equal as image-bearers. They are co-heirs in Christ. They have each received the “Spirit of sonship” (Ro 8:15). They are equal intrinsically. They are equally important to God.

And yet, they are different by design. A woman is not a man, and a man is not a woman. God never allows us to make the mistake of doubting his good design. The Church has been in conflict over this issue as she has sought to placate the world by finding ways around Scripture to erase the distinction. But we commit the sin of Eve when we fail to trust God just because he said so and begin seeking the “knowledge of good and evil” (Gen 3:5).

God has a beautiful design for his female image-bearers. The majority will be called to come alongside her husband as his helpmeet. This will lead to a blessed man and a blessed family. Children flourish when godly women embrace God’s design and call. The Proverbs 31 woman is a good example of feminine godliness.

Breaking Down the Key Parts of Proverbs 31:28

#1 “Her children…”
While there is a context for a woman who is called to singleness and therefore childlessness (1 Cor 7:6), it does not seem to be the norm, especially not in the days that Proverbs was written. Most women will desire to produce children with their husbands.

#2 “…arise and call her blessed;”
Children sometimes call their parents names, and it is not always a nice name like “blessed.” But if children see the fruit of godliness in their mothers, they will see that their mothers are indeed “blessed” by God. As parents, we are called to live out the example of a godly life before our children as we seek to lead them as Christ would have us lead them, not as the Gentiles, domineering (Mk 10:42), but as Christ, who came to serve.

#3 “…her husband also, and he praises her.”
Many readers today mistakenly see the list of accomplishments in Proverbs 31 and see a modern businesswoman, beating men at their own games and exercising “girl power.” But for a husband to see his wife as “blessed” and a blessing and to truly praise her, she will have exhibited grace and submission to his headship, even as she serves her family by engaging in money-making activities. This woman does anything but neglect the “keeping of her home” (Titus 2:4-5).

Bible Study on Proverbs 31:28

Expert Overview of Proverbs

Biblical Translations of Proverbs 31:28

NIV
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

NLT
Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her.

ESV
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

KJV
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

NKJV
Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her.