The Proverbs 31 Woman

Today in Hebrew class our professor was finishing up class by pointing out some areas in which our usual English Bible translations differ from the original Hebrew. We have been studying different verb tenses these past few weeks. One such case occurs in Proverbs 31. I know P and other women who have read this passage have felt burdened or lacking because they do not accomplish all that this "Wonder Woman" seems to accomplish. My professor mentioned that many of the verbs found in Proverbs 31:10-31 are translated in the present tense (i.e. something that is happening and continuing). However, in the original Hebrew, they are perfect tense verbs (which means they are actions that are complete). These actions can be complete in the past or the present, but they are not continuing actions. The woman in this passage does not run a number of businesses at the same time. Rather the context is that of an older woman, who throughout her lifetime, has accomplished different tasks at different times to help her family out. For example, perhaps she made and sold belts when her family needed extra income due to a bad harvest. So the next time you read this passage or someone mentions it, don't beat yourself up for not having 5 home businesses going at the same time. Do what you can with the opportunities God gave you and be content with that.