Proverbs 31:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.

NIV: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

NASB: Open your mouth for the people who cannot speak, For the rights of all the unfortunate.

CSB: Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed.

NLT: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.

KJV: Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

NKJV: Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.

In this verse, Lemuel's mother (Proverbs 31:1–2) counsels her son, a king, to champion the cause of those who lack the power to contend for themselves. She makes a deliberate connection between those who are "mute"—literally meaning those who cannot speak—and the king speaking for them. A righteous leader advocates on behalf of those who need help (Proverbs 21:13; 29:7, 14). Earlier lessons described failure to protect "the afflicted" as a sign of failed leadership (Proverbs 31:5). Proverbs 30:14 described those who take advantage of the poor and needy as animalistic predators.

The Hebrew phrase translated "destitute" is an uncommon term literally referring to "children of destruction" or "sons of passing away." In literal terms, this would apply to the terminally ill or those completely incapable of caring for themselves. By extension, this context would also include those in poverty, the oppressed, those suffering in catastrophes, and so forth. It can be easy for those in power to brush aside those who cannot offer anything in return for aid. Yet they need an advocate who can lend the strength they lack. Next, Lemuel's mother will continue to urge him to judge righteously (Proverbs 31:9). A corrupt king or judge might discriminate against the mute and the dying, but King Lemuel was told to render only righteous judgments on their behalf.

Proverbs 31:1–9 contains several teachings echoed previously in this book. The wisdom is related by King Lemuel, as told to him by his mother. This is not the first time a mother's teaching has been mentioned (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20; 30:17). The counsel is a good setup for the rest of the chapter, which is an acrostic poem celebrating the virtues of a wise, industrious, godly wife and mother.

This final chapter fits well with the rest of the book of Proverbs. It reiterates subjects found elsewhere in these lessons. Of note is that the entire chapter is connected to godly women. Topics include the importance of godly parenting, morality, righteous treatment of the needy, justice, and diligence. The first section are the words of King Lemuel's mother. The last is the famous depiction of an "excellent wife," exhibiting ideal traits of diligence, godliness, and competence. That description is arranged as acrostic poem: each verse begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Proverbs chapter 31 comes after a long list of Solomon's teachings (Proverbs 25—29) and the words of Agur (Proverbs 30). This final section is connected to two women: the mother of King Lemuel and the ideal of a godly, "excellent" wife. Themes found in this passage are reflected in other lessons from the book of Proverbs. Of note, commendable traits such as business savvy, strength, and wisdom are explicitly associated with women, despite being stereotypically considered masculine. The content after verse 10 is explicitly structured as a poem.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.