Proverbs 31:2

2. What, my son? This is the language of strong emotion and affection brief, elliptical, and leaving something for the imagination to supply. These repeated interrogations denote great earnestness in demanding attention. Zockler renders: “O, my son! O, thou son of my womb!” etc. “She claims heedful attention to what must readily suggest itself, his relations and duties as a son and a sovereign.” Conant. In this verse we meet with the unusual word בר , ( bar,) son, instead of the usual בן , ben. It occurs three times here, and only once elsewhere, in the Hebrew portion of the Bible, (Psalms 2:12,) though it is usual in the Chaldee parts of the book, and is the ordinary Chaldee word for son. Hence some have been disposed to regard this chapter as of Chaldee origin, or, at least, as belonging to the later Hebrew, in which Chaldaisms are found. To this purpose is adduced the form מלכין , ( melakhin,) in Proverbs 31:3, instead of מלכים , ( melakhim,) kings. But this conclusion does not necessarily follow, for poetry often avoids common terms, and employs for its peculiar purposes those which are either new, antiquated, or unusual. Besides, bar, in this sense, is not necessarily Chaldee, but may be legitimately derived from bara, (see Gesenius,) or from barar, as a term of affection or endearment my beloved my precious one.

Son of my womb A son given in answer to vows made before his birth, (see 1 Samuel 1:11,) or concerning whom she had offered many prayers and vows subsequently, that he might be preserved, rightly guided, and rightly influenced. The words express vehement maternal tenderness, and solicitude for the welfare and well-doing of a beloved child, and are probably to be understood as the habitual mood and manner of the queen mother.