Devine Scripture

Proverbs 31:8

What does Proverbs 31:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Proverbs 31:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Proverbs 31:8 means

King Lemuel’s mother instructs him to be a voice for the voiceless and a champion for the helpless. "Open thy mouth for the dumb" means to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves, either literally or figuratively because they lack power, influence, or legal standing. He is commanded to take up "the cause of all such as are left desolate," ensuring that those who are most vulnerable, neglected, and without support receive justice and protection, rather than being overlooked or exploited.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Open thy mouth for the dumb, For the right of all sons of change.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate.

Context

Following the specific advice on managing alcohol (verses 4-7), this verse initiates a broader call to righteous leadership for King Lemuel. It shifts from personal conduct to the king's public duty of advocating for the oppressed. This command to speak for the voiceless is immediately reinforced and specified in the next verse, which elaborates on the nature of this righteous judgment for the poor.

v.7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

v.8This passage

v.9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 26:24

    But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.

  • Psalms 79:11

    Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee: According to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to death;

  • Jeremiah 38:7

    Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon (the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin),

  • Psalms 82:3

    Judge the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

  • Proverbs 24:7

    Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate.

  • Esther 4:13

    Then Mordecai bade them return answer unto Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.

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