How is Eshes Chayil the crown of her husband?
R. Yonah: Her husband acquires glory via her attribute, for she is his acquisition, like a crown that is glory for its owner.
Malbim: A crown is a garment, and outside man's body. He puts it on the head. It is a sign of an attribute and honor. An Eshes Chayil, aside from strengthening his bones, is a crown for his head, He is praised via her in front of many - "Noda ba'She'arim Ba'alah" (31:23).
What is "Rekev"?
Rashi: It is a worm that enters the bones [of a Mes] and grinds them.
R. Yonah: It is an illness without a cure. A bone that rots does not regenerate.
What is "Mevishah"?
Rashi: It is a woman of evil deeds.
R. Yonah: It is the opposite of "Ishah Maskales" (19:14). We saw above (10:4) that "Ben Mevish" is the opposite of "Maskil".
Malbim: She is lazy in her deeds.
What is the comparison of Mevishah to Rekev?
R. Yonah: (a) Just like there is no cure for Rekev, also for a Mevishah wife, as long as she is married to him. He must live in his house, and he cannot bear her words and deeds. (b) Because a man clings to his wife, she is compared to one of his bones - "Etzem me'Atzamai" (Bereishis 2:23). When his wife is Mevishah, it is as if one of his bones is rotting. He is ashamed of her deeds, like one is ashamed of his sins and blemishes. The verse warns to beware as much as possible about taking a Mevishah wife.
Malbim: She is like one of his bones - "Etzem me'Atzamai" (Bereishis 2:23). When his wife is Mevishah, it is as if one of his bones is rotting. When half of his body (his wife) rots, it makes also his half rot.
