יָ֭דֶיהָ שִׁלְּחָ֣ה בַכִּישׁ֑וֹר וְ֝כַפֶּ֗יהָ תָּ֣מְכוּ פָֽלֶךְ׃
She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
Midrash Tanchuma
Who perceiveth that her merchandise is good (Prov. 31:18). That was when the kings attacked them, as it is written: And he divided himself against them by night (Gen. 14:15). She stretcheth out her hand to the poor (Prov. 31:19), by giving food to passers-by. Yea, she reacheth forth her hand to the needy (ibid., v. 20); for she gave charity and clothed the naked. She is not afraid of the snow for her household (ibid., v. 21); that is, she did not fear Gehenna. And why not? Because her entire household possessed garments (shanim, punning on shnayim, “two”) (ibid.): Sabbath and circumcision. She maketh for herself coverlets (ibid., v. 22): These were the priestly garments. From the fruit of her hand she planted a vineyard (ibid., v. 16). This refers to Israel, as it is said: For a vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel (Isa. 5:7). Her husband is known in the gates (Prov. 31:23); that is, when he pleaded with the sons of Seth: Give me a possession of a burial place (Gen. 23:4). She maketh linen garments (Prov. 31:24) refers to the circumcision that took place, as it is said: The counsel of the Lord is with them that fear Him (Ps. 25:14). Strength and dignity are her clothing (Prov. 31:25) alludes to the clouds of glory that encircled her tent. She openeth her mouth with wisdom (ibid. 39:26). When was that? When she said to Abraham: Go, I pray thee, unto thy handmaid (Gen. 16:2). She looketh well to the ways of her household (Prov. 31:27) indicates that she watched every day for the return of the angel who had informed her: I will certainly return unto thee (Gen. 18:10).