Proverbs 31

This chapter is considered another supplement to the book, or, perhaps, as embracing two supplements, the first one ending with Proverbs 31:9, and the second comprehending the remainder of the chapter. This portion was probably added by “the men of Hezekiah.” See Proverbs 25:1. The common opinion of the Jewish and of the earlier Christian expositors was, that Lemuel is a title of Solomon, and that this chapter contains the instructions given to him by his mother, Bathsheba. This opinion, however, is not accepted by many of the modern critics, for reasons which they assign. (See Dr. Clarke.) It comports not with our plan to enter into the question fully, but it may be proper to observe that the reasons assigned for rejecting the ancient opinion are not entirely conclusive. Nevertheless, there is no serious objection to the theory that Lemuel was a prince of some neighbouring country, and that his wise mother, probably an Israelitish lady, was capable of giving him the excellent admonitions and instructions found in this place. Houbigant, and a number of others, take משׂא , ( massa,) (rendered prophecy, see chap. Proverbs 30:1,) as a proper noun, and translate, “Lemuel, king of Massa.” Professor Stuart strongly supports this translation by arguments drawn from the grammatical construction of the words, and thinks that Agur of the preceding chapter and Lemuel were brothers, sons of the queen of Massa. See on Proverbs 30:1.