Proverbs 31:9 kjv

Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:9 nkjv

Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:9 niv

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:9 esv

Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:9 nlt

Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
and see that they get justice.

Proverbs 31 verses

Proverbs 31 9 Meaning

Proverbs 31:9 is a potent directive for righteous leadership and advocacy. It commands the one in authority, traditionally interpreted as King Lemuel (and by extension, any who govern or bear influence), to actively intervene and speak on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. This includes championing their legal and inherent rights, especially for those in dire circumstances, who are marginalized, vulnerable, and on the brink of ruin. It emphasizes a proactive pursuit of justice and protection for the defenseless.

Proverbs 31 9 Context

Proverbs chapter 31 consists of the "words of King Lemuel," presented as an oracle (maśśāʾ) taught to him by his mother (v. 1). The chapter is divided into two main sections: a queen mother's advice to her son concerning righteous leadership (v. 2-9) and a detailed description of the excellent wife (v. 10-31). Verse 9 concludes the mother's counsel on just governance. Immediately preceding this verse, the mother warns against consuming strong drink (v. 4-5) which perverts judgment and against illicit sexual activity (v. 3), highlighting that clear-headedness and moral integrity are essential for exercising righteous judgment. Thus, verse 9 serves as the climax of her advice, summarizing the king's fundamental responsibility: to use his power and voice to protect the vulnerable. Historically and culturally, kings in the Ancient Near East were expected, by their people and often by divine mandate, to be upholders of justice and guardians of the weak, defending the societal order against chaos and exploitation. This advice directly contrasts with the self-serving and oppressive rule that was common in many ancient kingdoms.

Proverbs 31 9 Word analysis

• Open your mouth (פְּתַח פִּיךָ - p̄etaḥ pîkā)

  • פתח (p̄ataḥ): The imperative "open." It's a strong, active command. Not merely "speak" or "think," but to actively unseal and put forth what is inside. It suggests a public, vocal declaration.
  • פיך (pîkā): "your mouth." Emphasizes the instrument of speech. Combined, it's a direct instruction for verbal action.
  • Significance: This is a call to vocal, public, and decisive advocacy, not passive empathy or quiet concern. It signifies using one's influence and authority to speak out where there is silence or injustice.

• for the speechless (לְאִלֵּם - lə'illēm)

  • אִלֵּם ('illēm): "mute, silent, dumb." While it literally means unable to speak, in this context, it broadly refers to those who are voiceless in society. This includes the oppressed, the marginalized, the intimidated, and those lacking means or influence to articulate their own grievances or rights.
  • Significance: Highlights the extreme vulnerability of those for whom one is commanded to speak. These individuals are so disenfranchised that they cannot advocate for themselves, making the king's voice their only hope for justice.

• for the rights (לְדִין - ləḏîn)

  • דִּין (dîn): "justice, judgment, legal cause, controversy, lawsuit, legal right." This word carries a strong legal and judicial connotation. It's not just a plea for compassion, but a demand for what is legally, morally, and justly due.
  • Significance: The command is to seek justice and uphold legal principles, not merely to offer charity or emotional support. It implies active involvement in legal processes or policy-making to ensure equitable treatment. This elevates advocacy beyond personal pity to systemic change and upholding fundamental entitlements.

• of all who are destitute (כָּל־בְּנֵי חֲלוֹף - kol-bənê ḥălôp̄)

  • כָּל (kol): "all, every." Indicates a comprehensive scope, extending to every person falling into this category. It's universal within the context of the group.
  • בְּנֵי חֲלוֹף (bənê ḥălôp̄): "sons of perishing," or "those appointed to destruction," "transient ones," "dying ones," or "those appointed to pass away." This is a profoundly evocative phrase.
    • בְּנֵי (bənê): "sons of," a Hebrew idiom indicating a characteristic, group, or destiny (e.g., "sons of wisdom" means wise).
    • חֲלוֹף (ḥălôp̄): From the root meaning "to pass over, pass on, pass away, perish, be destroyed, change."
  • Significance: This phrase points to an extremely precarious and desperate state. It refers not merely to the "poor" or "needy" but to those who are literally on the verge of ruin, suffering profound transience, extreme fragility, or facing imminent demise due to their circumstances. These are the forgotten, the transient, the severely afflicted, those whose existence is vulnerable to simply "passing away" unnoticed or undefended. Their very being and rights are in danger of being lost or overlooked, emphasizing the urgency and critical nature of the king's intervention.

Word-groups Analysis:

• "Open your mouth for the speechless": This grouping clearly defines the active nature of the command and its primary beneficiaries. It highlights the principle of surrogate advocacy for those literally or metaphorically silenced.
• "for the rights of all who are destitute/sons of perishing": This phrase refines the purpose and scope of the advocacy. It is not just to speak generally, but to speak specifically for "rights" (justice, mišpāṭ in the legal sense) for a particularly vulnerable and comprehensive group ("all," "sons of perishing"). This speaks to a systemic injustice that requires a champion.

Proverbs 31 9 Bonus section

The profound weight of Proverbs 31:9 resonates through the entirety of biblical teaching, illustrating a consistent theme: God’s profound concern for justice, particularly for the voiceless and oppressed. This verse provides a divinely inspired model for leadership, asserting that true power is exercised most effectively when it is directed towards selfless service and the defense of the vulnerable. It implicitly serves as a critique against all forms of tyrannical or negligent rule that ignore the cries of the afflicted. This ethical stance is foundational, revealing that righteousness (tsedaqah) is not merely personal piety but is deeply interwoven with social equity (mishpat). The New Testament echo of this command is found in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, who continually advocated for and ministered to the sick, the outcast, and the forgotten, ultimately giving His life to champion humanity’s greatest right—salvation and reconciliation with God. This passage calls believers not to be silent complicitors in injustice, but rather vocal proponents of truth, fairness, and compassion.

Proverbs 31 9 Commentary

Proverbs 31:9 delivers a powerful and enduring mandate for those in positions of authority, or indeed, any who possess the capacity to speak out. King Lemuel's mother wisely advises that true royal duty—and by extension, any moral leadership—is not about self-aggrandizement, luxury, or unchecked power. Instead, it is profoundly linked to ethical responsibility for the most vulnerable in society. The command "Open your mouth" is an active, vocal imperative, urging the king not to be a silent spectator but an articulate champion. It demands courageous and public intervention on behalf of the "speechless"—those who are unable, unwilling, or unpermitted to voice their own needs and grievances. This includes the downtrodden, the oppressed, the victimized, and all those marginalized groups within a community.

Furthermore, the phrase "for the rights of all who are destitute/sons of perishing" clarifies the nature of this advocacy. It is not simply a plea for charity or compassion, though those are vital; it is a call for legal and moral justice (Hebrew: dîn). This means ensuring that even the most desperate and vulnerable members of society—those literally "passing away" or on the brink of ruin—receive their due according to righteous law and ethical principle. This verse serves as a cornerstone of biblical social justice, aligning with God's own character as a defender of the fatherless, the widow, and the sojourner. For the Christian, this transcends the political realm, calling every believer to speak out against injustice and to champion the cause of the defenseless, modeling the love and justice of Christ.

Practical examples: Speaking up for victims of human trafficking; advocating for policy changes that protect the poor and marginalized; offering pro bono legal counsel to those who cannot afford it; volunteering to help immigrant or refugee families navigate new systems; addressing unfair practices in workplaces or communities.