Proverbs 31:8 Meaning and Explanation
“Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and for those facing ruin.
The Context of Proverbs 31:8
The king must advocate for the voiceless and condemned.
What Does Proverbs 31:8 Mean?
The mother now pivots from what not to do (drink) to what must be done (speak). 'Open thy mouth for the dumb'—the speechless, vulnerable, or silenced—obligates the king to be their voice. Those 'appointed to destruction' are the condemned, the enslaved, or the doomed to unjust death.
This is foundational to the mother's vision of kingship: power exists to protect and advocate. Kings have authority and a platform; they must use both for those stripped of voice and agency. Silence in the face of injustice is complicity.
Proverbs 31:8 in the Original Language
אִלְּמִים (illemim), 'dumb' or 'speechless' — those unable to speak for themselves, whether literally mute or silenced by powerlessness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 31:8
What does Proverbs 31:8 mean?
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and for those facing ruin.
What is the context of Proverbs 31:8?
The king must advocate for the voiceless and condemned.