The Holy Bible Verses

Proverbs 12:4

Cited in 2 topics on this site.

Translations sourced from the public-domain WEB, KJV, and ASV. See all sources.

“A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones.”

— WEB

“A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.”

— KJV

“A worthy woman is the crown of her husband; But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.”

— ASV

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Commentary

Note, 1. He that is blessed with a good wife is as happy as if he were upon the throne, for she is no less than a crown to him. A virtuous woman, that is pious and prudent, ingenious and industrious, that is active for the good of her family and looks well to the ways of her household, that makes conscience of her duty in every relation, a woman of spirit, that can bear crosses without disturbance, such a one owns her husband for her head, and therefore she is a crown to him, not only a credit and honour to him, as a crown is an ornament, but supports and keeps up his authority in his family, as a crown is an ensign of power. She is submissive and faithful to him and by her example teaches his children and servants to be so too. 2. He that is plagued with a bad wife is as miserable as if he were upon the dunghill; for she is no better than rottenness in his bones, an incurable disease, besides that she makes him ashamed. She that is silly and slothful, wasteful and wanton, passionate and ill-tongued, ruins both the credit and comfort of her husband. If he go abroad, his head is hung down, for his wife's faults turn to his reproach. If he retire into himself, his heart is sunk; he is continually uneasy; it is an affliction that preys much upon the spirits.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary (public domain)

A virtuous woman--in the wide sense of well-disposed to all moral duties (Pro 31:10). maketh ashamed--that is, by misconduct. rottenness--an incurable evil.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary (public domain)

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