Proverbs 31:24
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles to the merchant.
American King James Version (AKJV)
She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles to the merchant.
American Standard Version (ASV)
She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.
Webster's Revision
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles to the merchant.
World English Bible
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
English Revised Version (ERV)
She maketh linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Clarke's Proverbs 31:24 Bible Commentary
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it -
15. She is here remarkable for carrying on a traffic of splendid and ornamental dresses, or habits, as she is, Proverbs 31:13, for "a coarser manufacture," The סדון sidon is supposed to come from the Arabic; and to signify a kind of loose inner garment, shirt, chemise, or fine muslin covering. Some of these are so exceedingly fine, like the abrooam, that when spread on the grass, they are scarcely discernible. Some such garments as these are still worn by ladies in India and in China, and are so thin and transparent, that every part of the body may be seen through them. I have many representations of persons clothed in this way before me both of the Chinese, the Hindoo, and the Malabar ladies. Probably this eminent Jewish matron had such articles manufactured in her own house. She dealt also in girdles. These are still a very general and very expensive article of dress. I have seen them made of silk, and highly ornamented with gold and silver thread, worked into flowers and various curious devices. The loose Eastern robe is confined by these; and the word may also take in the shawl of the turban, which is often superb and costly. It is properly the girdle for the head. As these were generally woven, the consumption was great; and an able artist must have had a good trade.
The Arabic gives a remarkable translation of this verse: "She maketh towels, (or tablecloths), and sells them to the inhabitants of Basra, (a city in Mesopotamia), and fine linens, and sells them to the Canaanites." My old MS. Bible has, Sandel sche made and sold, and a litil girdil sche toke to Chanane. Perhaps לכנעני lakkenaani, for the merchant, may stand here for לכנענים lakkenaanim, the Canaanites.
Barnes's Proverbs 31:24 Bible Commentary
Fine linen - Not the same word as in Proverbs 31:22 note; it describes a made-up garment Isaiah 3:23.
Merchant - literally, "Canaanite," i. e., the Phoenician merchant.
Wesley's Proverbs 31:24 Bible Commentary
31:24 Girdles - Curiously wrought of linen, and gold, or other precious materials.