Proverbs 31:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 31:8

Proverbs 31:8. Open thy mouth Speak freely and impartially, as becomes a king and a judge to do: for the dumb For such as cannot speak in their own cause, either through ignorance, or because of the dread of their more potent adversaries. In the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction Who, without such succour from the judges, are likely to be utterly ruined. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:1-9

A mother’s advice to a king (31:1-9)King Lemuel was probably a non-Israelite from a neighbouring nation, but his mother appears to have been a God-fearing woman who vowed her son to God (31:1-2). The main desire of some kings was to get themselves as much pleasure as possible, chiefly through women and wine. Lemuel is warned that such interests distract a king from his proper duties and result in lawlessness and injustice (3-5). Strong drink deadens pain and dulls the mind. Therefore, among the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 31:8

such as are appointed to destruction. Hebrew = sons of destruction. Genitive of Relation, as in Romans 8:36 . App-17 (5). read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 31:8

Proverbs 31:8. Open thy mouth for the dumb— Open thy mouth for the dumb; give judgment to those who have experienced the vicisstudes of human affairs. The latter clause may be rendered, In the cause of all strangers, or all children of change. REFLECTIONS.—We have here, 1. The address of Bathsheba to her son Solomon: What, my son? Either it intimates the tender concern with which she spoke; or, as if she wanted words to enforce the lesson she was about to deliver; or, as designed to awaken his... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 31:8

8, 9. Open . . . cause—Plead for those who cannot plead for themselves, as the orphan, stranger, c. (compare Psalms 72:12 Isaiah 1:17). appointed to destruction—who are otherwise ruined by their oppressors (compare Proverbs 29:14; Proverbs 29:16). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 31:1-31

VII. COLLECTION 7: THE WISDOM OF LEMUEL CH. 31Some commentators have regarded only the first nine verses of this chapter as Lemuel’s writing. One reason for this is that the Septuagint translators separated Proverbs 31:1-9 from Proverbs 31:10-31 by five chapters (chs. 25-29). However, the Hebrew text implies that Lemuel wrote the whole chapter since it connects these two sections. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 31:2-9

B. The wise king 31:2-9 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 31:3-9

Her counsel was that it is not wise for a king to make himself dependent on women (Proverbs 31:3) or wine (Proverbs 31:4-7)."David’s lust for Bathsheba made him callous toward justice and cost Uriah his life, and Solomon’s many sexual partners made him callous toward pure and undefiled religion and incapable of real love. In other words, obsession with women has the same effect as obsession with liquor (Proverbs 31:5)." [Note: Waltke, The Book . . . 31, p. 507.] The advice in Proverbs 31:6-7 is... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 31:1-31

The Mother of Lemuel. The Excellent Woman1-9. An exhortation addressed to king Lemuel by his mother, urging him to avoid women and wine. The latter leads to slackness and unfairness in the administration of justice.’1. Read the title thus: ’The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him.’ It is possible that the Massa of Genesis 25:14 is meant. 2. The repeated What? appears to point to an inclination towards these excesses. Son of my vows] see 1 Samuel 1:11.3. Read, ’Give not... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Proverbs 31:8

(8) Open thy mouth for the dumb.—Who cannot from timidity or ignorance plead his own cause, and who would therefore be crushed by his antagonist.Such as are appointed to destruction.—Certain to perish if left unaided. Comp. Job’s account of his exertions for victims of high-handed oppression, an ever recurring evil under weak despotic governments (Job 29:12, sqq.). read more

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