Proverbs 31:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?

NIV: Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!

NASB: What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?

CSB: What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?

NLT: O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,

KJV: What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

NKJV: What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?

Lemuel's mother (Proverbs 31:1) repeats a certain phrasing three times. This uses the Hebrew root word mah, a generic term usually translated as some variation of the question "what?" Different English versions apply this to Lemuel's actions. Others see it as a call to pay attention. Some translate the phrase as a further introduction, like "what can I say to you?" One can imagine a mother with a thoughtful look, sighing deeply, as she considers how to advise her son.

The mother reminds Lemuel of their close bond, referring to him repeatedly as her son. In this case, the son is her own, natural child: the "son of [her] womb." The reference to vows may refer to her marriage. Or the woman may have made promises similar to those of Hannah, who fervently prayed for a son (1 Samuel 1:10–11). The book of Proverbs notes often that children's decisions reflect on the parents (Proverbs 19:26; 28:7; 29:15). Perhaps Lemuel's mother reflects on a promise to raise her child in a godly way (Proverbs 22:6), and this advice is meant to summarize her instruction.

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.

Accessed 5/5/2024 7:51:17 PM