Proverbs 31:8

8 Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.

Proverbs 31:8 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 31:8

Open thy mouth for the dumb
Not who are naturally so, but who cannot speak in their own behalf, either through want of elocution, or knowledge of the laws; or who are bashful, timorous, and fearful, being overawed by the majesty of a court of judicature, or by their prosecutors; or who, as they have not a tongue, so not a purse, to speak for them, the fatherless and the widow; which latter has her name, in the Hebrew language, from dumbness. Here Lemuel's mother advises him to open his mouth freely, readily, boldly, and intrepidly, and plead for such persons. Even in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction;
whose destruction is resolved on by their accusers and prosecutors; and who are in danger of it, being charged with capital crimes; unless some persons of wisdom, power, and authority, interpose on their behalf. It may be rendered, "in the cause of all the children of change", or "passing away" ^F19; the children of the world, which passeth away with all things in it, as Kimchi; or orphans, whose help passeth away, as Jarchi; or rather strangers, as others, who pass from place to place and whose state and condition is liable to many changes who may be ignorant of the laws of the country where they are, and may stand in need of persons to plead for them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 (Pwlx ynb) "filiormn transitus", Montanus, Gejerus, Michaelis; "transeuntis, sub. seculi", Vatablus, so Ben Melech; "filiorum mutationis loci", Piscator; "filii mutationis, h. e. hujus mundi", Baynus.

Proverbs 31:8 In-Context

6 Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:

7 Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.

8 Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.

9 Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.

10 Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.