[ 1 minutes to read ]

For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
– Proverbs 30:23

An odious woman is a hated, or unloved, woman. The same word was used of Leah (Genesis 29:31). When she is married, or comes into a better situation, she becomes unbearable. The second line refers to a female servant who becomes an heir, which word means to occupy by driving out. The line describes a slave girl who has supplanted the master’s wife. In keeping with the other lines of this numerical saying, she becomes overbearing in her new position.

These are the last two of the four things that unsettle the expected order and are unbearable. The common thread throughout is unworthy people experiencing a reversal leading to arrogance and overbearing behavior.