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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 31:2 What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/31-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/20_Pro_31_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 31:2 - The Words of King Lemuel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? 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Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what [shall I advise you], O son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />My son Lemuel, you were born in answer to my prayers, so listen carefully. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />What, my son? and what, O son of my womb, and what, O son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"What, my son? What, son to whom I gave birth? What, son of my prayers?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />No, my son! No, my son whom I conceived! No, my son to whom I gave birth! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Oh, my son. Oh, son of my womb. Oh, son of my vows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'What, my son? and what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />What, my son? and what the son of my womb? and what the son of my vows?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“What, O my beloved? What, O beloved of my womb? What, O beloved of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What are you doing, my son! what are you doing, son of my womb; what are you doing, son of my vows! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />No, my son! No, son of my womb! No, son of my vows!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Oh my son! Oh the son of my womb! Oh the son of my vows!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Oh, my son, oh, son of my body, and oh, son of my vows!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/31-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=6420" 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">1</span>These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him: <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">What shall I say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1248.htm" title="1248: bə·rî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Son. Borrowed from bar; the heir.">O my son?</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: ū·mah- (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">What,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1248.htm" title="1248: bar- (N-msc) -- Son. Borrowed from bar; the heir.">O son</a> <a href="/hebrew/990.htm" title="990: biṭ·nî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From an unused root probably meaning to be hollow; the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything.">of my womb?</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: ū·meh (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">What,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1248.htm" title="1248: bar- (N-msc) -- Son. Borrowed from bar; the heir.">O son</a> <a href="/hebrew/5088.htm" title="5088: nə·ḏā·rāy (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- A vow. Or neder; from nadar; a promise; also a thing promised.">of my vows?</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.…<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="/1_kings/2-1.htm">1 Kings 2:1-3</a></span><br />As the time drew near for David to die, he charged his son Solomon, / “I am about to go the way of all the earth. So be strong and prove yourself a man. / And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-6.htm">Deuteronomy 6:6-7</a></span><br />These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/1-5.htm">2 Timothy 1:5</a></span><br />I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-14.htm">2 Timothy 3:14-15</a></span><br />But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. / From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-5.htm">Psalm 78:5-6</a></span><br />For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, / that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-1.htm">Ephesians 6:1-3</a></span><br />Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-8.htm">Proverbs 1:8-9</a></span><br />Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. / For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-1.htm">Proverbs 4:1-4</a></span><br />Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. / For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive. / When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-20.htm">Colossians 3:20</a></span><br />Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a></span><br />Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-9.htm">Deuteronomy 4:9-10</a></span><br />Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren. / The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm">1 Samuel 1:11</a></span><br />And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-27.htm">1 Samuel 1:27-28</a></span><br />I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him, / I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-51.htm">Luke 2:51-52</a></span><br />Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. / And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/18-19.htm">Genesis 18:19</a></span><br />For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?</p><p class="hdg">the son of my womb</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/49-15.htm">Isaiah 49:15</a></b></br> Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.</p><p class="hdg">the son of my vows</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm">1 Samuel 1:11,28</a></b></br> And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/26-22.htm">Body</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-1.htm">Lemuel</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-25.htm">Oaths</a> <a href="/job/1-18.htm">Oldest</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-25.htm">Vows</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-16.htm">Womb</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/31-24.htm">Body</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-4.htm">Lemuel</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-18.htm">Oaths</a> <a href="/john/8-9.htm">Oldest</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-21.htm">Vows</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">Womb</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 /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/31.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/31.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>What shall I say, O my son?</b><br>This phrase reflects a mother's deep concern and love for her son, emphasizing the importance of imparting wisdom. In biblical times, the role of a mother in teaching and guiding her children was crucial. The rhetorical question suggests a moment of reflection and the weight of responsibility in conveying important truths. This echoes the broader biblical theme of parental guidance found in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-6.htm">Deuteronomy 6:6-7</a>, where parents are instructed to diligently teach their children God's commandments.<p><b>What, O son of my womb?</b><br>The reference to "son of my womb" highlights the intimate and natural bond between mother and child. It underscores the personal investment and emotional connection a mother has with her child, which is a recurring theme in Scripture. This phrase also alludes to the sanctity of life and the miracle of birth, as seen in <a href="/psalms/139-13.htm">Psalm 139:13-14</a>, where the psalmist praises God for being "knit together" in the mother's womb. The maternal imagery here can also be seen as a type of God's nurturing and caring nature.<p><b>What, O son of my vows?</b><br>This phrase suggests a dedication or promise made to God concerning the child. In ancient Israel, vows were serious commitments, often involving a promise to raise a child in the fear and knowledge of the Lord. This can be compared to the story of Hannah and Samuel in <a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm">1 Samuel 1:11</a>, where Hannah vows to dedicate her son to the Lord's service. The concept of vows also points to the covenantal relationship between God and His people, emphasizing faithfulness and devotion.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_speaker.htm">The Speaker (Mother of King Lemuel)</a></b><br>The speaker is traditionally understood to be the mother of King Lemuel, offering wisdom and guidance to her son. Her identity is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but she is a figure of maternal authority and spiritual insight.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_lemuel.htm">King Lemuel</a></b><br>Although not much is known about King Lemuel, he is the recipient of the wisdom and teachings from his mother. His name means "devoted to God," suggesting a ruler who is expected to live according to divine principles.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_son.htm">The Son</a></b><br>The son is the direct recipient of the mother's teachings. He is referred to as the "son of my womb" and "son of my vows," indicating a deep, personal, and spiritual connection.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_vows.htm">The Vows</a></b><br>The mention of "vows" suggests a spiritual or religious commitment made by the mother, possibly dedicating her son to God or making promises regarding his upbringing.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_setting.htm">The Setting</a></b><br>The setting is a familial and intimate one, where a mother imparts wisdom to her son, emphasizing the importance of her teachings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_parental_guidance.htm">The Importance of Parental Guidance</a></b><br>Parents have a God-given responsibility to impart wisdom and guidance to their children. This passage highlights the role of a mother in shaping her child's character and values.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_vows_and_dedication.htm">The Power of Vows and Dedication</a></b><br>Making vows or dedicating children to God is a serious commitment. It reflects a parent's desire to see their child grow in faith and live a life pleasing to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_spiritual_heritage.htm">The Value of Spiritual Heritage</a></b><br>The reference to "son of my womb" and "son of my vows" underscores the spiritual heritage and legacy that parents pass on to their children. It is a reminder to nurture both physical and spiritual growth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_identity_in_wisdom.htm">The Role of Identity in Wisdom</a></b><br>Understanding one's identity as a child of God and a recipient of parental vows can shape one's decisions and life path. It is crucial to live in a way that honors this identity.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 31</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_agur_in_the_book_of_proverbs.htm">Who is Agur in the Book of Proverbs?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_didn't_god_stop_jephthah's_vow.htm">Why did God allow Jephthah to sacrifice his daughter in Judges 11 without stopping him?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_king_lemuel_in_the_bible.htm">Who is King Lemuel in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_proverbs_31_and_1_timothy_2_conflict.htm">Does Proverbs 31:10-31 conflict with other biblical passages, like 1 Timothy 2:11-12, that appear to limit women's roles?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">What, my son</span>?--<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, what shall I say? The question, thrice repeated, shows her extreme anxiety to give good advice to this son, who was "tender, and only beloved in the sight of his mother."<p><span class= "bld">The son of my vows.</span>--Perhaps given, like Samuel, in answer to her prayers and vows.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 2-9.</span> - Here follows <span class="accented">the exhortation</span>, which seems to come from the same source as the "burden" of Agur above. In this section the connection and parallelism of the parts are exhibited by repetition of thought and often of words in the several clauses. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">What, my son?</span> <span class="accented">Mah</span>, "what," is repeated thrice, both to enforce the attention of the son, and to show the mother's anxious care for his good. She feels the vast importance of the occasion, and asks as in perplexity, "What shall I say? What advice shall I give thee?" "Son" is here not <span class="accented">ben</span>, but <span class="accented">bar</span>, one of the Aramaic forms which are found in these two last chapters. The word occurs also in <a href="/psalms/2-12.htm">Psalm 2:12</a>. <span class="cmt_word">Son of my vows.</span> This might mean, "son who wast asked in prayer," like Samuel (<a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm">1 Samuel 1:11</a>), and dedicated to God, as the name Lemuel implies; or it may signify, "thou who art the object of my daily vows and prayers." Septuagint, "What, my son, wilt thou observe (<span class="greek">τηρήσεις</span>)? What? the sayings of God. My firstborn son, to thee I speak. What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/31-2.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">What [shall I say],</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O my son?</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּ֭רִי</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1248.htm">Strong's 1248: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heir</span><br /><br /><span class="word">What,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמַֽה־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O son</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּר־</span> <span class="translit">(bar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1248.htm">Strong's 1248: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heir</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of my womb?</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּטְנִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(biṭ·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_990.htm">Strong's 990: </a> </span><span class="str2">The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything</span><br /><br /><span class="word">What,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝מֶה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·meh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O son</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּר־</span> <span class="translit">(bar-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1248.htm">Strong's 1248: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heir</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of my vows?</span><br /><span class="heb">נְדָרָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(nə·ḏā·rāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5088.htm">Strong's 5088: </a> </span><span class="str2">A promise, a thing promised</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/31-2.htm">Proverbs 31:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/31-2.htm">Proverbs 31:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/31-2.htm">Proverbs 31:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/31-2.htm">Proverbs 31:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/31-2.htm">Proverbs 31:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/31-2.htm">Proverbs 31:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/31-2.htm">Proverbs 31:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/31-2.htm">Proverbs 31:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/31-2.htm">Proverbs 31:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/31-2.htm">Proverbs 31:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/31-2.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 31:2 Oh my son! (Prov. 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