Proverbs 31:1
New International Version
The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

New Living Translation
The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.

English Standard Version
The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

Berean Standard Bible
These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:

King James Bible
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

New King James Version
The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:

New American Standard Bible
The words of King Lemuel, the pronouncement which his mother taught him:

NASB 1995
The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:

NASB 1977
The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him.

Legacy Standard Bible
The words of King Lemuel, the oracle unto which his mother disciplined him:

Amplified Bible
The words of King Lemuel, the oracle, which his mother taught him:

Christian Standard Bible
The words of King Lemuel, a pronouncement that his mother taught him:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:

American Standard Version
The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

Contemporary English Version
These are the sayings that King Lemuel of Massa was taught by his mother.

English Revised Version
The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The sayings of King Lemuel, a prophetic revelation, used by his mother to discipline him.

Good News Translation
These are the solemn words which King Lemuel's mother said to him:

International Standard Version
The words of King Lemuel— a pronouncement with which his mother encouraged him.

Majority Standard Bible
These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:

NET Bible
The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:

New Heart English Bible
The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

Webster's Bible Translation
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

World English Bible
The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Words of Lemuel, a king, a declaration that his mother taught him:

Young's Literal Translation
Words of Lemuel a king, a declaration that his mother taught him:

Smith's Literal Translation
The words of Lemuel the king, the lifting up which his mother will instruct him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The words of king Lamuel. The vision by which his mother instructed him:

New American Bible
The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, the instruction his mother taught him:

New Revised Standard Version
The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THE words of Moael, a king and prophet, which his mother taught him, saying,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The words of Moayl, The King, the Prophet, which his mother taught him and she said to him:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The words of king Lemuel; the burden wherewith his mother corrected him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
My words have been spoken by God - the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Words of King Lemuel
1These are the words of King Lemuel— the burden that his mother taught him: 2What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?…

Cross References
1 Kings 2:1-9
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, ...

2 Samuel 23:1-7
These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: / The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue. / The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, ...

Deuteronomy 17:14-20
When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” / you are to appoint over yourselves the king whom the LORD your God shall choose. Appoint a king from among your brothers; you are not to set over yourselves a foreigner who is not one of your brothers. / But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ ...

1 Chronicles 28:9-10
As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. / Consider now that the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it.”

Psalm 72:1-4
Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. / May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice. / May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring righteousness. ...

Psalm 101:1-8
A Psalm of David. I will sing of Your loving devotion and justice; to You, O LORD, I will sing praises. / I will ponder the way that is blameless—when will You come to me? I will walk in my house with integrity of heart. / I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. ...

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs. / The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth. / The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd. ...

Isaiah 1:10-17
Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah! / “What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? ...

Jeremiah 22:1-5
This is what the LORD says: “Go down to the palace of the king of Judah and proclaim this message there, / saying, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, who sits on the throne of David—you and your officials and your people who enter these gates. / This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. ...

Daniel 4:27
Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”

Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to Him, / and He began to teach them, saying: / “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ...

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...

Luke 6:20-26
Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. / Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. / Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. ...

Luke 11:27-28
As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the breasts that nursed You!” / But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”


Treasury of Scripture

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

prophecy

Proverbs 30:1
The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,

his

Proverbs 1:8
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

2 Timothy 1:5
When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

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Proverbs 31
1. Lemuel's lesson of chastity and temperance
6. The afflicted are to be comforted and defended
10. The praise and properties of a good wife














These are the words
This phrase introduces the passage as a direct communication, emphasizing the importance and authority of what follows. In the Hebrew text, the word for "words" is "דִּבְרֵי" (divrei), which can also mean "sayings" or "utterances." This suggests that what follows is not merely a casual conversation but a collection of teachings or instructions that hold significant weight. The use of "words" underscores the power of speech and the transmission of wisdom through verbal instruction, a common theme in the book of Proverbs.

of King Lemuel
The identity of King Lemuel is somewhat enigmatic, as he is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. The name "Lemuel" means "devoted to God" or "belonging to God" in Hebrew. This could imply that Lemuel is a symbolic or poetic name, possibly referring to Solomon or another king known for wisdom. The mention of a king highlights the importance of the teachings, as they are directed toward someone in a position of authority and responsibility. It also suggests that wisdom is crucial for leadership and governance.

the burden
The Hebrew word for "burden" is "מַשָּׂא" (massa), which can also be translated as "oracle" or "prophecy." This indicates that the teachings Lemuel received from his mother were not just practical advice but carried a deeper, perhaps divine, significance. The term "burden" implies a weightiness or seriousness, suggesting that the message is of great importance and should be heeded carefully. It reflects the idea that wisdom often comes with responsibility and the need to act upon it.

that his mother taught him
This phrase highlights the role of Lemuel's mother as a teacher and source of wisdom. In the ancient Near Eastern context, mothers were often the primary educators of their children, especially in matters of morality and character. The Hebrew word for "taught" is "יִּסְּרַתּוּ" (yissratu), which can also mean "instructed" or "disciplined." This suggests a process of careful and intentional teaching, emphasizing the importance of parental guidance in the development of wisdom. The mention of his mother underscores the value of maternal influence and the transmission of godly wisdom across generations.

XXXI.

APPENDIX (b).

(1) The words of king Lemuel. . . .--More probably this should be translated," The words of Lemuel, king of Massa." (See above on Proverbs 30:1.) "Lemuel," which most likely signifies (dedicated) "to God," has been, like Agur, supposed to be a designation of Solomon, but with no good reason.

The prophecy that his mother taught him.--Mothers were looked upon with great veneration in the East. (Comp. Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 6:20.) The mothers of kings especially were treated with marked respect, receiving the title of "queen-mother." (Comp. 1Kings 2:19; 1Kings 15:13.) This seems to be the reason why the mothers of Jewish kings are so constantly mentioned, e.g., 1Kings 14:31; 1Kings 15:2; 2Kings 12:1. At the present time the mother of the Khedive ranks before his principal wife. . . .

Verses 1-9. - Part VIII. SECOND APPENDIX TO THE SECOND COLLECTION, containing "the words of Lemuel" on the subjects of impurity and intemperance. Verse 1. - The superscription. The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy which his mother taught him. Who is intended by "Lemuel king" is much disputed. Those who connect the following word massa ("oracle") with the preceding melek ("king"), translate "King of Massa," as Proverbs 30:1 (where see note). Of the country, or the king, or his mother, we have absolutely no information. The name Lemuel, or Lemoel (ver. 4), means "unto God," i.e. dedicated to God, like Lael (Numbers 3:24); hence it is regarded by many authorities, ancient and modern, as an appellation of Solomon, one from infancy dedicated to God and celled by him Jedidiah, "beloved of the Lord" (2 Samuel 12:25). But there is nothing in the contents of this section to confirm this idea; indeed, there are expressions which militate against it. Possibly Hezekiah may be meant, and his remarkable piety somewhat confirms the opinion; yet we see no reason why he should be here addressed under a pseudonym, especially if we consider that he himself was concerned in making this collection. On the whole, it seems best to take Lemuel as a symbolical name, designating an ideal king, to whom an ideal mother addressed the exhortation which follows. Solomon's own proverbs contain many warnings against the very sins of which this mother speaks, so that the section is conceived in the spirit of the earlier portion of the book, though it is assigned to a different author and another age. The prophecy (massa); the inspired utterance (see on ch. 30:1). This maternal counsel forms one compact exhortation, which might with more propriety be so termed than the words of Agur. His mother. The mother of a reigning king was always regarded with the utmost respect, taking precedence of the king's wife. Hence we so often find the names of kings' mothers in the sacred record; e.g. 1 Kings 2:19; 1 Kings 14:21; 1 Kings 15:2; 2 Kings 12:1. It is difficult to say what reading was seen by the LXX., who render, "My words have been spoken by God, the oracle of a king whom his mother instructed." There are many wise women mentioned in Scripture; e.g. Miriam, Deborah, the Queen of Sheba, Huldah, etc., so there is nothing incongruous in Lemuel being instructed by his mother in wisdom.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The words
דִּ֭בְרֵי (diḇ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of King
מֶ֑לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

Lemuel—
לְמוּאֵ֣ל (lə·mū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3927: Lemuel -- king of Massa

an oracle
מַ֝שָּׂ֗א (maś·śā)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4853: A burden, tribute, porterage, an utterance, chiefly a, doom, singing, mental, desire

that
אֲ‍ֽשֶׁר־ (’ăšer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

his mother
אִמּֽוֹ׃ (’im·mōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

taught him:
יִסְּרַ֥תּוּ (yis·sə·rat·tū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3256: To discipline, chasten, admonish


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 31:1 The words of king Lemuel (Prov. Pro Pr)
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