Proverbs 31:21 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For all her household are clothed with scarlet— This seems an inconsistent translation; for, will scarlet keep a person warmer than any other colour? Would it not have been more consistent with the context to have said, Because they are clothed in warm raiment? The margin of our Bible, agreeably to this remark, reads, double garments; and I think it is universally agreed, that the marginal readings are always nearer the original; and so I find it in the present case. For the word שׁנים shanim, is not only plural, but comes from the root שׁנה shanah, which signifies to repeat, to do again, to double; and is often rendered by the LXX, διπλουν and διβαφον double-died, and by the Vulgate, bistinctum; and in this place the Vulgate renders it by duplicibus, or double garments. Schultens and Houbigant agree in the above translation. We may observe, that in consequence of this excellent woman's oeconomy, her house is not only well provided for, but she herself is enabled to excel in works of benevolence, Proverbs 31:20 and to appear according to her station, Proverbs 31:22 while her husband finds with his wealth his dignity and honour increase; chosen to sit among the judges, and distinguished among the first men of his city; Proverbs 31:23. Who that compares the different descriptions given in this book, of adultery and virtuous love, of the good wife and the ruinous harlot, but must admire the propriety of the description, and rejoice in the pleasing superiority which virtue hath in this respect also over vice and debauchery.