31:28–29

In this paragraph, the ideal wife is praised by her children (31:28a) and her husband (31:28b–29).

31:28

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

28a
Her children rise up and call her blessed ;

28b
her husband praises her as well :

31:28a

Her children rise up: In this context, the word translated rise up means “stand up.” It does not mean to get out of bed in the morning. Here it is a symbolic gesture. This gesture was a sign of respect. It also indicated that a person intended to say something important.

Some other ways to translate this gesture are:

• Keep the gesture. For example:

Her children stand (New Living Translation (2004))

• Keep the gesture and supply the meaning. For example:

Her children stand up ⌊to show that they respect her⌋

• Translate one or both of the meanings without the gesture. For example:

Her children speak to her with respect

and call her blessed: In Hebrew, this phrase is a verb that means “declare her to be happy/fortunate. In this context, it has almost the same meaning as the parallel phrase “praises her.”

Some other ways to translate this line are:

Her children rise up and praise her (New American Bible)
-or-
Her children show her respect and tell her that they admire/appreciate her very much.

31:28b

her husband praises her as well: Her husband also joins in with the children and praises her. The following verse is a quote of what he says, so you may want to introduce his words with a quote formula at the end of this verse or the beginning of 31:29. For example:

her husband also praises her, saying, “…
-or-
and with great pride her husband says, “… (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing verb that shows that the husband will also stand and honor her. For example:

her husband also ⌊arises⌋ to honor her, saying “…

General Comment on 31:28a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parts of these two lines. For example:

Her children and her husband stand up and praise/admire her. Her husband says, “…

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