Proverbs 31:9
Proverbs 31:9 in Multiple Translations
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.
Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
Open thy mouth: iudge righteously, and iudge the afflicted, and the poore.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!'
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
Speak [MTY] ◄on their behalf/to help them► and try to cause judges to decide matters fairly/justly; try to cause others to do for poor and needy people what should be done for them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 31:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 31:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
פְּתַח
פִּ֥י/ךָ
שְׁפָט
צֶ֑דֶק
וְ֝/דִ֗ין
עָנִ֥י
וְ/אֶבְיֽוֹן
פְּתַח
pâthach
H6605
to open
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
פִּ֥י/ךָ
peh
H6310
lip
N-ms | Suff
שְׁפָט
shâphaṭ
H8199
to judge
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
צֶ֑דֶק
tsedeq
H6664
Righteousness
N-ms
וְ֝/דִ֗ין
dîyn
H1777
to judge
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2ms
עָנִ֥י
ʻânîy
H6041
afflicted
Adj
וְ/אֶבְיֽוֹן
ʼebyôwn
H34
needy
Conj | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 31:9
פְּתַח
pâthach
H6605
"to open"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This verb means to engrave or carve, and is used in Exodus to describe the intricate carvings on the furniture of the tabernacle.
Definition: 1) to open 1a) (Qal) to open 1b) (Niphal) to be opened, be let loose, be thrown open 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to free 1c2) to loosen 1c3) to open, open oneself 1d) (Hithpael) to loose oneself Aramaic equivalent: pe.tach (פְּתַח "to open" H6606)
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent. See also: Genesis 7:11; Psalms 39:10; Psalms 5:10.
פִּ֥י/ךָ
peh
H6310
"lip"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
שְׁפָט
shâphaṭ
H8199
"to judge"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
To shaphat means to judge or govern, and can also mean to vindicate or punish. In the Bible, this term is often used to describe God's role as a judge, as well as human judges and rulers.
Definition: 1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man) 1a1a) to rule, govern, judge 1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man) 1a3) to execute judgment 1a3a) discriminating (of man) 1a3b) vindicating 1a3c) condemning and punishing 1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together 1b2) to be judged 1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. See also: Genesis 16:5; Psalms 9:5; Psalms 2:10.
צֶ֑דֶק
tsedeq
H6664
"Righteousness"
N-ms
Represents the idea of righteousness or justice, often referring to God's character or the standard for human behavior. It is closely tied to the concept of morality and what is right. The word is used to describe the ideal for human conduct and society.
Definition: This name means justice, righteousness Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] even, ([idiom] that which is altogether) just(-ice), (un-)right(-eous) (cause, -ly, -ness). See also: Leviticus 19:15; Psalms 119:138; Psalms 4:2.
וְ֝/דִ֗ין
dîyn
H1777
"to judge"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2ms
To judge or plead a cause is the meaning of this Hebrew word, used to describe acting as a judge or governing.
Definition: 1) to judge, contend, plead 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as judge, minister judgment 1a2) to plead a cause 1a3) to execute judgment, requite, vindicate 1a4) to govern 1a5) to contend, strive 1b) (Niphal) to be at strife, quarrel Aramaic equivalent: din (דִּין "to judge" H1778)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: (come) with a straight course. See also: Genesis 6:3; Psalms 72:2; Psalms 7:9.
עָנִ֥י
ʻânîy
H6041
"afflicted"
Adj
This word describes someone who is depressed, humble, or weak, often due to difficult circumstances, as described in the Psalms and other biblical books.
Definition: 1) poor, afflicted, humble, wretched 1a) poor, needy 1b) poor and weak 1c) poor, weak, afflicted, wretched 1d) humble, lowly
Usage: Occurs in 77 OT verses. KJV: afflicted, humble, lowly, needy, poor. See also: Exodus 22:24; Psalms 88:16; Psalms 9:13.
וְ/אֶבְיֽוֹן
ʼebyôwn
H34
"needy"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word describes someone who is needy or poor, often oppressed and in need of help from God. It appears in the Bible to describe those who are vulnerable and in need of deliverance. In the KJV, it is translated as beggar, needy, or poor man.
Definition: 1) in want, needy, chiefly poor, needy person 2) subject to oppression and abuse 3) needing help, deliverance from trouble, especially as delivered by God 4) general reference to lowest class
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: beggar, needy, poor (man). See also: Exodus 23:6; Psalms 107:41; Psalms 9:19.
Study Notes — Proverbs 31:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 31:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 31:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 31:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 31:9
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 31:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 31:9
- Sermons on Proverbs 31:9
Context — The Sayings for King Lemuel
7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 1:17 | Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” |
| 2 | Leviticus 19:15 | You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly. |
| 3 | Amos 5:11–12 | Therefore, because you trample on the poor and exact from him a tax of grain, you will never live in the stone houses you have built; you will never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted. For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 1:16 | At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. |
| 5 | Job 29:15–16 | I served as eyes to the blind and as feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 22:3 | 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. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 5:28 | They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. |
| 8 | 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.” |
| 9 | Proverbs 16:12 | Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness. |
| 10 | Isaiah 1:23 | Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them. |
Proverbs 31:9 Summary
This verse is telling us to use our voices to help those who are struggling and can't speak up for themselves. It means we should be fair and just when making decisions, especially when it comes to helping the poor and needy, as seen in Psalm 140:12, which says 'I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted'. We can do this by speaking up for them and advocating for what is right, just like God commands us to do in Isaiah 1:17. By doing so, we are following God's command to 'do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God', as mentioned in Micah 6:8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'open your mouth' in Proverbs 31:9?
To 'open your mouth' means to speak up and use your voice to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves, as seen in Proverbs 31:8, where it says to 'open your mouth for those with no voice' and also in Psalm 82:3, which tells us to 'defend the weak and the fatherless'.
Who are the 'poor and needy' mentioned in this verse?
The 'poor and needy' refer to those who are vulnerable and marginalized in society, such as the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the stranger, as described in Deuteronomy 10:18 and Jeremiah 22:16, where God commands us to 'do justice to the fatherless, the widow and the stranger'.
What does it mean to 'judge righteously' in this context?
To 'judge righteously' means to make fair and just decisions, especially when it comes to defending the cause of the poor and needy, as seen in Leviticus 19:15, which says 'you shall do no injustice in judgment' and also in Isaiah 1:17, which tells us to 'learn to do good, seek justice, correct oppression'
How can I apply this verse to my everyday life?
You can apply this verse by speaking up for those who are marginalized or oppressed, and by advocating for justice and righteousness in your community, as seen in Micah 6:8, which says 'He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God'.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can use my voice to advocate for the poor and needy in my community?
- How can I ensure that I am judging righteously and making fair decisions, especially when it comes to defending the cause of the vulnerable?
- What are some practical steps I can take to 'open my mouth' and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves?
- How can I balance the need to speak up for justice with the need to 'walk humbly with my God', as mentioned in Micah 6:8?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 31:9
Open thy mouth, judge righteously,.... Having heard the cause, pronounce a righteous sentence; deliver it freely and impartially, with all readiness and boldness, not caring for the censures of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 31:9
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 31:9
Proverbs 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.Ver. 9. Plead the cause of the poor and needy.] These are God’ s great care, as appears in many texts. Job comforted himself in this, that he had been "eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, a father to the poor," &c. Ebedmelech is renowned for pleading the cause of the poor prophet, and so should Pharaoh’ s butler have been if he had done it sooner. Master Holt, who was of counsel to Master Pryn, when so unjustly censured in the Star Chamber, but refused, through cowardice, to sign his answer, according to promise, being overawed by the prelates, bewailed his own baseness to his wife and friends; and, soon after falling sick for conceit only of the miscarriage of that cause, he died, never going to the Star Chamber after that bloody sentence. New Discoveries of the Prelate’ s Tyranny, p. 47, 48.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 31:9
9. plead the cause of] Rather, minister judgement to, R.V. Lit judge.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 31:9
9. Plead the cause — Vindicate the right of the poor and the needy. The language and ideas are very similar to some portions of Psalms 72. Compare Proverbs 31:2; Proverbs 31:4, Proverbs 31:12-14 of that psalm.
Sermons on Proverbs 31:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Epistle 141 by George Fox | George Fox preaches about gathering together the sufferings of those who have been unjustly treated by authorities, urging them to document their experiences and the names of those |
|
What Is Prophetic? - Part 1 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being prepared to preach the word of God. He reflects on the example of Moses and the depth of God's dealing with him durin |
|
Integrity: Prosperity Gospel by Femi Adeley by Femi Adeleye | This sermon addresses the dangers and misconceptions of the prosperity gospel, highlighting how it can lead to materialism, misinterpretation of Scripture, and a focus on personal |
|
God's Wrath and His Love by Steve Hill | This sermon delves into a courtroom battle where the verdict is about to be delivered, highlighting the consequences of sin and the need for God's mercy through the blood of Jesus. |
|
Missions, Poverty and Children - Part 1 by K.P. Yohannan | This sermon emphasizes the importance of valuing and caring for children, highlighting how Jesus welcomed and blessed them, showing their significance in the Kingdom of God. It sha |
|
|
No Longer a Slum Dog - New Book by K.P. Yohannan | This sermon by K.P. Yohannan, President of Gospel for Asia, focuses on the plight and suffering of children, particularly the Dalit community in India and neighboring nations. He s |
|
William Booth Recording (Audio Restored) by William Booth | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the various struggles and hardships faced by different groups of people in society. He mentions the unemployed, criminals, and women engaged |