Proverbs 31:8

Translations

Modern

Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.

Traditional

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

Literal

Open your mouth for a mute one, for the cause of all the sons of destitution.

Latin

Aperi os tuum muto, et causis omnium filiorum qui pertranseunt.

Interlinear

Hebrew

English

Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.

Notes

Proverbs 31:8–9

Instead of drinking wine (Proverbs 31:4–7), the king should defend those who cannot protect themselves.

Proverbs 31:1–9

Lemuel, like Agur, might have been from Massa (see study note on Proverbs 30:1). Lemuel’s mother teaches him to control his desires, especially for women and alcohol, so he can rule fairly.
Besides this passage, we know nothing about Lemuel.

Theme notes and profiles

Social Justice

Related verses

Psalm 82:3–4
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.
Proverbs 24:11–12
Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter.
Jeremiah 38:7–10
Now Ebed-melech the Cushite, a court official in the royal palace, heard that Jeremiah had been put into the cistern. While the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin,
Job 29:12–17
…because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper.
Jeremiah 26:24
Nevertheless, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.
Esther 4:13–16
…he sent back to her this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews.
Psalm 79:11
May the groans of the captives reach You; by the strength of Your arm preserve those condemned to death.
Jeremiah 26:16–19
Then the officials and all the people told the priests and prophets, “This man is not worthy of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God!”
John 7:51
“Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?”
1 Samuel 19:4–7
Then Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul and said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David; he has not sinned against you. In fact, his actions have been highly beneficial to you.
1 Samuel 20:32
“Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?”
1 Samuel 22:14–15
Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard and honored in your house?

Glossary

Lemuel Muteness Proverbs, Book of Spinner, Spinning

Topics

Abortion Courts of Justice: The Accused: Might Have Advocates Diseases: Dumbness Doing the Right Thing Free Speech Helping the Helpless Human Rights Injury Kings: should Maintain the Cause of the Poor and Oppressed Lawyers Merciful Racial Equality Rights Rulers: Character and Qualifications of Social Justice Standing Up for Others

Proverbs 31:8

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