Proverbs 31:8 kjv
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Proverbs 31:8 nkjv
Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Proverbs 31:8 niv
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Proverbs 31:8 esv
Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Proverbs 31:8 nlt
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
ensure justice for those being crushed.
Proverbs 31 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 1:17 | learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. | Seek justice for the vulnerable |
| Isa 58:6-7 | ...to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free...share your bread with the hungry... | Practical advocacy and compassion |
| Jer 22:3 | Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness...do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, or the widow... | Command to act justly for the disadvantaged |
| Zec 7:9-10 | Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy...do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner... | God's expectation for just and merciful judgment |
| Ps 82:3-4 | Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and needy... | God's call for justice for the vulnerable |
| Deut 10:18 | He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. | God as the example of advocate |
| Deut 24:17 | You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, nor take a widow's garment as a pledge. | Protection against perverting justice |
| Lev 19:15 | You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness... | Impartial justice |
| Mic 6:8 | He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness... | Summary of divine requirements |
| Am 5:24 | But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. | Prophet's call for pervasive justice |
| Lk 4:18-19 | The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor...to proclaim liberty to the captives... | Christ's mission to advocate for the oppressed |
| Mt 25:35-40 | For I was hungry and you gave me food...As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. | Identifying with the most vulnerable |
| Jas 1:27 | Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction... | Practical care for the vulnerable is true religion |
| Jas 2:2-4 | For if a man wearing a gold ring...comes into your assembly, and a poor man...you pay attention to the one...but say to the poor... | Warning against showing partiality to the rich |
| Rom 12:15 | Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. | Empathy and solidarity with the suffering |
| Eph 5:11 | Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. | Exposing injustice |
| 1 Jn 3:17-18 | But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart...how does God’s love abide in him? | Practical love for the needy |
| Pr 24:11 | Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. | Imperative to intervene for the endangered |
| Pr 31:9 | Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. | Direct follow-up reinforcing advocacy for the poor |
| Ec 4:1 | Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and behold, the tears of the oppressed... | Observation of oppression's impact |
Proverbs 31 verses
Proverbs 31 8 Meaning
Proverbs 31:8 is an imperative command instructing those in authority, particularly a king, to speak out and advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. This includes the 'mute'—not necessarily literally silent individuals, but more broadly, the voiceless, the powerless, the marginalized, and the oppressed. It extends this responsibility to defending the cause of all who are destitute, those who are perishing, or those facing ruin due to injustice or lack of support. The verse calls for proactive and righteous advocacy to ensure justice for the most vulnerable in society.
Proverbs 31 8 Context
Proverbs 31:8 is part of the "words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him" (Pr 31:1). This section (Pr 31:1-9) specifically focuses on moral and ethical instruction for a king. The mother is imparting vital wisdom for righteous governance, emphasizing self-control, justice, and compassion. She warns against behaviors that lead to the neglect of duty, such as indulgence in wine (Pr 31:4-5), and strongly urges proactive advocacy for the poor and marginalized. Historically, ancient Near Eastern kings often had vast power and could easily neglect or exploit their subjects. This instruction, therefore, acts as a counter-cultural command, calling a king to embody divine justice by prioritizing the weak, rather than consolidating personal power or wealth. It sets a high standard for leadership within a covenantal framework.
Proverbs 31 8 Word analysis
Open your mouth (פתח-פיך, pĕṯaḥ pîḵā):
- פתח (pĕṯaḥ): Imperative verb, meaning "to open." Signifies a command for active, decisive action, not passive observation. It denotes initiating a statement or action, rather than merely waiting.
- פיך (pîḵā): "Your mouth." This is a direct, personal call to articulate. The phrase combined implies speaking boldly, publically, and without hesitation. It's a call for vocal advocacy and proclamation of justice.
for the mute (לָאִלֵּם, laʾillēm):
- אִלֵּם (ʾillēm): Meaning "dumb," "mute," "silent." While it can literally refer to someone unable to speak, in this context and broader biblical usage, it signifies those silenced by circumstances, power dynamics, or injustice. This includes the inarticulate, the oppressed, the disenfranchised, who lack a voice in society or before judicial systems. They cannot present their case.
for the rights (לְדִין, ləḏîn):
- דִּין (dîn): Meaning "judgment," "justice," "legal cause," "controversy," or "dispute." It refers to the legal case, claim, or due process that is denied or threatened. The advocate is to speak for their rightful claim, ensuring a just hearing.
of all who are destitute (בְּנֵי חֲלוֹף, bənê ḥălpōf):
- בְּנֵי (bĕnê): "Sons of" or "children of." A common Hebrew idiom indicating a group characterized by or appointed to a certain condition.
- חֲלוֹף (ḥălōf): From the root ḥālaftōf meaning "to pass away," "perish," "fade," "waste away." It denotes those who are appointed to destruction, those facing ruin, frailty, transience, or perishing. This term specifically refers to the most vulnerable: the poor, the sick, the weak, those without support, who are on the verge of ruin or death due to their circumstances.
Words-group analysis:
- "Open your mouth for the mute": This phrase highlights the proactive and essential role of those with power or influence to serve as advocates for those without a voice. It goes beyond mere charity; it calls for a courageous public stand against injustice. It indicates that divine justice often works through human agents, specifically those in leadership, to defend the powerless.
- "and for the rights of all who are destitute": This broadens the scope of advocacy from individual 'mute' persons to the collective category of the perishing or destitute. It emphasizes securing legal and social justice for this vulnerable population. The 'rights' (dîn) point to their inherent human dignity and entitlement to fair treatment, which are often violated when they are voiceless.
Proverbs 31 8 Bonus section
The concept of mishpat (justice) and tzedakah (righteousness) is deeply embedded in this verse. "Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy" (Pr 31:9) directly follows and reiterates this theme. The responsibility to speak for the oppressed is a core aspect of divine righteousness. It challenges a worldview where might makes right and instead calls for power to be wielded in service of vulnerability. This principle is not only for kings but applies to every person called to be a light in the world. Believers are often the only 'voice' for those society has forgotten, thus acting as God's representatives on earth. The "mute" also refers to those legally incapacitated or those against whom false accusations are leveled, making their voice unheard in court.
Proverbs 31 8 Commentary
Proverbs 31:8 serves as a foundational command for righteous leadership and compassionate living within the framework of biblical wisdom. It shifts the focus from a leader's personal gain to their divine mandate: to embody justice on behalf of the most vulnerable. This command is radical for any era, demanding selflessness from the powerful. It is not enough for a leader to simply refrain from injustice; they must actively intervene, using their voice, authority, and resources to secure the "rights" of those facing "ruin." The phrase "sons of passing away" underscores the extreme vulnerability and fragility of this group, making their plight an urgent moral concern. The verse foreshadows the prophetic call for social justice and aligns with the character of God, who Himself is the defender of the oppressed. For all believers, this implies a duty to speak against injustice wherever it is found, especially when others are silenced, whether due to poverty, social status, or fear.