God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 31:1
1The sayings of King Lemuel, a prophetic revelation, used by his mother to discipline him.
Proverbs 31:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
- New International Version (NIV)The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
- New King James Version (NKJV)The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:
Context of Proverbs 31:1
The sayings of King Lemuel, a prophetic revelation, used by his mother to discipline him. 2“What, my son? What, son to whom I gave birth? What, son of my prayers? 3Don’t give your strength to women or your power to those who ruin kings.
Read all of Proverbs 31Proverbs 31:1 word by word
דִּ֭בְרֵי לְמוּאֵ֣ל מֶ֑לֶךְ מַ֝שָּׂ֗א אֲֽשֶׁר־יִסְּרַ֥תּוּ אִמּֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 31:1
- Proverbs 30:1The words of Agur, son of Jakeh. Agur’s prophetic revelation. This man’s declaration: “I’m weary, O God. I’m weary and worn out, O God.
- Proverbs 1:8My son, listen to your father’s discipline, and do not neglect your mother’s teachings,
- Proverbs 6:20My son, obey the command of your father, and do not disregard the teachings of your mother.
- 2 Timothy 1:5I’m reminded of how sincere your faith is. That faith first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m convinced that it also lives in you.
- 2 Timothy 3:15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. They have the power to give you wisdom so that you can be saved through faith in Christ Jesus.
Commentaries on Proverbs 31:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1The words of King Lemuel - מכך למואל דברי dibrey lemuel melech, "The words to Muel the king." So the Syriac; and so I think it should be read, the ל lamed being the article or preposition. But who is Muel or Lemuel? Solomon, according to general opinion; and the mother here mentioned, Bath-sheba. I cannot receive these sayings; for Whoever this was, he appears to have been the first-born of his mother: called here emphatically בטני בר bar bitni, the son…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1That his mother taught him - Compare Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 6:20. If we refer the chapter to Israelite authorship, we may remember the honor paid to the wisdom of Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah; if it was the honor paid to an Edomite or an Arabian, we may think of the Queen of Sheba, whose love of Wisdom led her to sit at the feet of the son of David.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1An exhortation to king Lemuel to take heed of sin, and to do duties. (1-9) The description of a virtuous woman. (10-31) Verses 1-9 When children are under the mother's eye, she has an opportunity of fashioning their minds aright. Those who are grown up, should often call to mind the good teaching they received when children. The many awful instances of promising characters who have been ruined by vile women, and love of wine, should warn every one to…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-9Lemuel, like Agur, might have been from Massa (see study note on Proverbs 30:1). Lemuel’s mother teaches him to control his desires, especially for women and alcohol, so he can rule fairly. Besides this passage, we know nothing about Lemuel.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-31Pr 31:1-31. 1. On the title of this, the sixth part of the book, see Introduction. prophecy--(See on Pr 30:1).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 31:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 31
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries