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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 31:8 Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/31-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/20_Pro_31_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 31:8 - The Words of King Lemuel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/31-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/31-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/31.htm">Chapter 31</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/31-7.htm" title="Proverbs 31:7">◄</a> Proverbs 31:8 <a href="/proverbs/31-9.htm" title="Proverbs 31:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/31.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/31.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all <i>who are</i> appointed to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Open your mouth for the people who cannot speak, For the rights of all the unfortunate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Open your mouth for the dumb, For the rights of all the unfortunate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Open your mouth for the mute, For the justice of all those passing away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all who are unfortunate <i>and</i> defenseless;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But you must defend those who are helpless and have no hope. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are left desolate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Speak out for the one who cannot speak, for the rights of those who are doomed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Speak for those who cannot speak; seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Open your mouth for the mute, "" For the right of all sons of change.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Open thy mouth for the dumb, For the right of all sons of change.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the judgment of all the sons of the surviving.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Open your mouth for the mute and for all the cases of the sons who are passing through.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Open your mouth in behalf of the mute, and for the rights of the destitute; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Open your mouth with words of truth, and judge all the sons of the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Open your mouth with the word of truth and judge all the sons of evil.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Open thy mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/31-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=6463" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/31.htm">The Words of King Lemuel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6605.htm" title="6605: pə·ṯaḥ- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve. A primitive root; to open wide; specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve.">Open</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: pî·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">your mouth</a> <a href="/hebrew/483.htm" title="483: lə·’il·lêm (Prep-l:: Adj-ms) -- Mute (unable to speak). From 'alam; speechless.">for those with no voice,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/1779.htm" title="1779: dîn (N-msc) -- Judgment. From diyn; judgement; by impl. Also strife.">the cause</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">of all</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the dispossessed.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2475.htm" title="2475: ḥă·lō·wp̄ (N-ms) -- A passing away, vanishing. From chalaph; properly, surviving; by implication orphans."></a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a></span><br />Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/82-3.htm">Psalm 82:3-4</a></span><br />Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6-7</a></span><br />Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a></span><br />Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35-40</a></span><br />For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18-19</a></span><br />“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-16.htm">Jeremiah 22:16</a></span><br />He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/7-9.htm">Zechariah 7:9-10</a></span><br />“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a></span><br />He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/29-12.htm">Job 29:12-17</a></span><br />because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper. / The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. / I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-24.htm">Amos 5:24</a></span><br />But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-7.htm">Matthew 5:7</a></span><br />Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-30.htm">Luke 10:30-37</a></span><br />Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. / Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. / So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17-18</a></span><br />If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-2.htm">Galatians 6:2</a></span><br />Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.</p><p class="hdg">open</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/24-7.htm">Proverbs 24:7,11,12</a></b></br> Wisdom <i>is</i> too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/19-4.htm">1 Samuel 19:4-7</a></b></br> And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works <i>have been</i> to theeward very good: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/20-32.htm">1 Samuel 20:32</a></b></br> And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?</p><p class="hdg">such</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/79-11.htm">Psalm 79:11</a></b></br> Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/8-29.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-5.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-5.htm">Change</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-7.htm">Death</a> <a href="/psalms/143-4.htm">Desolate</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-21.htm">Destitute</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-6.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/psalms/58-1.htm">Dumb</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-32.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/psalms/39-9.htm">Mute</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-13.htm">Open</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-6.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-26.htm">Right</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-5.htm">Rights</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-10.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-12.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/psalms/10-14.htm">Unfortunate</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-14.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-9.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Change</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm">Death</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm">Desolate</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-26.htm">Destitute</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-14.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-6.htm">Dumb</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-9.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/isaiah/35-6.htm">Mute</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-9.htm">Open</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Ready</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-9.htm">Right</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-9.htm">Rights</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-9.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-10.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/psalms/10-8.htm">Unfortunate</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-3.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 31</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/31-1.htm">Lemuel's lesson of chastity and temperance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/31-6.htm">The afflicted are to be comforted and defended</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">The praise and properties of a good wife</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/proverbs/31.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Open your mouth</b><br />The phrase "Open your mouth" is a call to action, urging the reader to speak out. In the Hebrew text, the word "open" is "פָּתַח" (pathach), which implies not just the physical act of opening one's mouth, but also the readiness and willingness to speak. This is a proactive command, suggesting that silence is not an option when justice is at stake. Historically, this aligns with the role of prophets and leaders in Israel who were often called to speak God's truth to the people, regardless of the personal cost.<p><b>for those with no voice</b><br />This phrase highlights the plight of the voiceless, those who cannot speak for themselves. The Hebrew word "אִלֵּם" (illem) refers to the mute or those who are unable to articulate their needs and rights. In ancient times, this would include the marginalized, such as orphans, widows, and foreigners, who lacked the social standing to defend themselves. The call to speak for them is a reflection of God's heart for justice and compassion, as seen throughout Scripture, where God consistently defends the oppressed and calls His people to do the same.<p><b>for the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction</b><br />The phrase "for the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction" underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation. The Hebrew word "בְּנֵי חֲלוֹף" (bene chaloph) can be translated as "sons of passing away" or "those who are perishing." This implies a dire situation where individuals are on the brink of ruin or death. The historical context here is significant, as it reflects the societal structures of the time where certain groups were vulnerable to exploitation and injustice. The verse calls for advocacy and intervention to prevent their destruction, aligning with the biblical mandate to protect and deliver those in peril.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">Open thy mouth for the dumb.--</span>Who cannot from timidity or ignorance plead his own cause, and who would therefore be crushed by his antagonist.<p><span class= "bld">Such as are appointed to</span> <span class= "bld">destruction.--</span>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 (<a href="/job/29-12.htm" title="Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.">Job 29:12</a>, <span class= "ital">sqq.</span>)<span class= "ital">.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 8, 9.</span> - The third exhortation, admonishing the king to judge righteously. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Open thy mouth for the dumb.</span> The "dumb" is any one who for any reason whatever is unable to plead his own cause; he may be of tender age, or of lowly station, or ignorant, timid, and boorish; and the prince is enjoined to plead for him and defend him (comp. <a href="/job/29-15.htm">Job 29:15</a>). <span class="cmt_word">In the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction;</span> literally, <span class="accented">the sons of passing away</span> (<a href="/isaiah/2-18.htm">Isaiah 2:18</a>); <span class="accented">i.e.</span> not orphans, children whose parents have vanished from the earth, nor strangers from a foreign country, nor, generally, mortals, subjects of frail human nature (all of which explanations have been given), but persons who are in imminent danger of perishing, certain, if left unaided, to come to ruin (comp. <a href="/job/29-12.htm">Job 29:12</a>). Septuagint, "Open thy mouth for the Word of God, and judge all men soundly (<span class="greek">ὑγιῶς</span>)." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/31-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Open</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּתַח־</span> <span class="translit">(pə·ṯaḥ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6605.htm">Strong's 6605: </a> </span><span class="str2">To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your mouth</span><br /><span class="heb">פִּ֥יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(pî·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for those with no voice,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאִלֵּ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’il·lêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_483.htm">Strong's 483: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mute (unable to speak)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the justice</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּ֝֗ין</span> <span class="translit">(dîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1779.htm">Strong's 1779: </a> </span><span class="str2">Judgement, strife</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the dispossessed.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/31-8.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 31:8 Open your mouth for the mute (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/31-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 31:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 31:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/31-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 31:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 31:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>