Pro 31:8 | KingComments | STEP | The mother tells her son, the king, not to open his mouth to pour wine into it, but to be a voice “for a mute” ( ). This does not mean someone who cannot speak. It may be about someone who is too timid to say anything. Someone may also be dumbfounded because of the unjust accusations or verbal violence of the opposing party. In any case, it is about someone who cannot speak for himself to defend his own case. The king must also open his mouth to pronounce justice “for the rights of all the unfortunate”. They may have words, but the power to speak these words is lacking. In both cases, it requires the understanding of the circumstances of those who are miserable and turn to him for a just verdict. The king here seems to be both lawyer and judge. As a lawyer, he has made himself one with the cause of the mute and of all the unfortunate in . This allows him to act as a judge in . Because he has not drunk wine, but has remained clear in his mind, he is able to open his mouth and judge righteously and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy (cf. ; ; ; ).

‏ Proverbs 31:8

Open Your Mouth to Judge Righteously

The mother tells her son, the king, not to open his mouth to pour wine into it, but to be a voice “for a mute” (Pro 31:8). This does not mean someone who cannot speak. It may be about someone who is too timid to say anything. Someone may also be dumbfounded because of the unjust accusations or verbal violence of the opposing party. In any case, it is about someone who cannot speak for himself to defend his own case.

The king must also open his mouth to pronounce justice “for the rights of all the unfortunate”. They may have words, but the power to speak these words is lacking. In both cases, it requires the understanding of the circumstances of those who are miserable and turn to him for a just verdict.

The king here seems to be both lawyer and judge. As a lawyer, he has made himself one with the cause of the mute and of all the unfortunate in Pro 31:8. This allows him to act as a judge in Pro 31:9. Because he has not drunk wine, but has remained clear in his mind, he is able to open his mouth and judge righteously and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy (cf. 2Sam 14:4-11; 1Kgs 3:16-28; Psa 45:2-4 ; Psa 72:4; Isa 9:5-6).