Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 31:17, She Makes Her Arms Strong

by Marilynn Chadwick

“She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.”

Proverbs 31:17 ESV

The two Hebrew words describing the Proverbs 31 woman, eshet chayil, are translated “woman of valor” (Proverbs 31:10 OJB). From the beginning, God created the woman to be part nurturer and part warrior.

Valor means showing courage in the face of danger. So naturally, valor requires a measure of mental toughness. But the Proverbs 31 woman of valor also had to be physically strong: she “works with eager hands…gets up while it is still dark,” provides food and tasks for her family and servants, “buys a field… plants a vineyard”… and “sets about her work vigorously” (Proverbs 31:13-16). Even her arms, we’re told, “are strong for her tasks” (Proverbs 31:17 NIV). Another version reads: “She makes her arms strong” (Proverbs 31:17 ESV).

I have to smile when I think about her “strong arms” because it reminds me of my friend Beth. We both loved being mothers and now grandmothers. But we agree—when raising our own children, we were used to the constant physical demands that came with lifting, dressing, and bathing little ones. Our arms grew strong. But lifting grandchildren is a little harder.

So Beth started doing 100 pushups a day. “I want to be able to lift all those grandbabies,” she laughed. She does her first set during her normal exercise time—then she drops to the floor for a few more throughout the day. “It’s amazing how they add up,” she said. Beth—and her 100 daily pushups—give us a good mental picture of what it looks like to make our arms strong.

The Amplified Bible describes the Proverbs 31 woman’s strength in more detail: “She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong” (Proverbs 31:17 AMP).

Why not begin now to reflect on how to strengthen yourself—spiritually, mentally, and physically? Who knows? Maybe you’ll even want to try Beth’s 100 push-ups challenge!

Today’s Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick.

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