Proverbs 31:8
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Original Language Analysis
פְּתַח
Open
H6605
פְּתַח
Open
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
1 of 8
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
פִּ֥יךָ
thy mouth
H6310
פִּ֥יךָ
thy mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
2 of 8
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
דִּ֝֗ין
in the cause
H1779
דִּ֝֗ין
in the cause
Strong's:
H1779
Word #:
5 of 8
judgement (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern law codes (Hammurabi, Hittite) protected the vulnerable, but biblical law uniquely demands proactive advocacy, not just reactive justice. In Israel's patriarchal society, widows, orphans, and foreigners depended on righteous advocates to ensure covenant justice.
Questions for Reflection
- Who are the 'dumb' in contemporary society who need your voice—the unborn, the elderly, the marginalized?
- How does advocacy for the voiceless flow from the character of God who 'executes justice for the fatherless and widow' (Deuteronomy 10:18)?
- What is the difference between paternalistic charity and the biblical call to empower the powerless through advocacy?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Open thy mouth for the dumb—The Hebrew illem (אִלֵּם, mute/speechless) describes those unable to advocate for themselves. In the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction translates בְּנֵי חֲלוֹף (benei chalof), literally 'sons of passing away' or those vulnerable to being forgotten/destroyed. This is the first command of the eshet chayil (אֵשֶׁת חַיִל, woman of valor) section—righteous advocacy precedes domestic virtue.
The call to open thy mouth (פְּתַח־פִּיךָ, petach-pikha) means active vocal defense, not silent charity. This echoes the prophetic tradition where God demands His people speak for the oppressed (Isaiah 1:17, Jeremiah 22:3). Christ Himself was 'dumb before his shearers' (Isaiah 53:7) but now we must speak for those who cannot.