Proverbs 31:2
New International Version
Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!

New Living Translation
O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,

English Standard Version
What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?

Berean Standard Bible
What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?

King James Bible
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

New King James Version
What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?

New American Standard Bible
What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?

NASB 1995
What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

NASB 1977
What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

Legacy Standard Bible
What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

Amplified Bible
What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what [shall I advise you], O son of my vows?

Christian Standard Bible
What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?

American Standard Version
What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

Contemporary English Version
My son Lemuel, you were born in answer to my prayers, so listen carefully.

English Revised Version
What, my son? and what, O son of my womb, and what, O son of my vows?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"What, my son? What, son to whom I gave birth? What, son of my prayers?

Good News Translation
"You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you?

International Standard Version
No, my son! No, my son whom I conceived! No, my son to whom I gave birth!

Majority Standard Bible
What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?

NET Bible
O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,

New Heart English Bible
"Oh, my son. Oh, son of my womb. Oh, son of my vows.

Webster's Bible Translation
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

World English Bible
“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?

Young's Literal Translation
'What, my son? and what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?

Smith's Literal Translation
What, my son? and what the son of my womb? and what the son of my vows?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows?

Catholic Public Domain Version
“What, O my beloved? What, O beloved of my womb? What, O beloved of my vows?

New American Bible
What are you doing, my son! what are you doing, son of my womb; what are you doing, son of my vows!

New Revised Standard Version
No, my son! No, son of my womb! No, son of my vows!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Oh my son! Oh the son of my womb! Oh the son of my vows!

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Oh, my son, oh, son of my body, and oh, son of my vows!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?

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? 3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.…

Cross References
1 Kings 2:1-3
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,

Deuteronomy 6:6-7
These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

2 Timothy 1:5
I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.

2 Timothy 3:14-15
But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. / From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 78:5-6
For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, / that the coming generation would know them—even children yet to be born—to arise and tell their own children

Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

Proverbs 1:8-9
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. / For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck.

Proverbs 4:1-4
Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. / For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive. / When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother, ...

Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 4:9-10
Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren. / The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.”

1 Samuel 1:11
And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”

1 Samuel 1:27-28
I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him, / I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.

Luke 2:51-52
Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. / And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Genesis 18:19
For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”


Treasury of Scripture

What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

the son of my womb

Isaiah 49:15
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

the son of my vows

1 Samuel 1:11,28
And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no rasor come upon his head…

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Body Lemuel Oaths Oldest Vows Womb
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Body Lemuel Oaths Oldest Vows Womb
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














What shall I say, O my son?
This phrase reflects a mother's deep concern and love for her son, emphasizing the importance of imparting wisdom. In biblical times, the role of a mother in teaching and guiding her children was crucial. The rhetorical question suggests a moment of reflection and the weight of responsibility in conveying important truths. This echoes the broader biblical theme of parental guidance found in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, where parents are instructed to diligently teach their children God's commandments.

What, O son of my womb?
The reference to "son of my womb" highlights the intimate and natural bond between mother and child. It underscores the personal investment and emotional connection a mother has with her child, which is a recurring theme in Scripture. This phrase also alludes to the sanctity of life and the miracle of birth, as seen in Psalm 139:13-14, where the psalmist praises God for being "knit together" in the mother's womb. The maternal imagery here can also be seen as a type of God's nurturing and caring nature.

What, O son of my vows?
This phrase suggests a dedication or promise made to God concerning the child. In ancient Israel, vows were serious commitments, often involving a promise to raise a child in the fear and knowledge of the Lord. This can be compared to the story of Hannah and Samuel in 1 Samuel 1:11, where Hannah vows to dedicate her son to the Lord's service. The concept of vows also points to the covenantal relationship between God and His people, emphasizing faithfulness and devotion.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Speaker (Mother of King Lemuel)
The speaker is traditionally understood to be the mother of King Lemuel, offering wisdom and guidance to her son. Her identity is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but she is a figure of maternal authority and spiritual insight.

2. King Lemuel
Although not much is known about King Lemuel, he is the recipient of the wisdom and teachings from his mother. His name means "devoted to God," suggesting a ruler who is expected to live according to divine principles.

3. The Son
The son is the direct recipient of the mother's teachings. He is referred to as the "son of my womb" and "son of my vows," indicating a deep, personal, and spiritual connection.

4. The Vows
The mention of "vows" suggests a spiritual or religious commitment made by the mother, possibly dedicating her son to God or making promises regarding his upbringing.

5. The Setting
The setting is a familial and intimate one, where a mother imparts wisdom to her son, emphasizing the importance of her teachings.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Parental Guidance
Parents have a God-given responsibility to impart wisdom and guidance to their children. This passage highlights the role of a mother in shaping her child's character and values.

The Power of Vows and Dedication
Making vows or dedicating children to God is a serious commitment. It reflects a parent's desire to see their child grow in faith and live a life pleasing to God.

The Value of Spiritual Heritage
The reference to "son of my womb" and "son of my vows" underscores the spiritual heritage and legacy that parents pass on to their children. It is a reminder to nurture both physical and spiritual growth.

The Role of Identity in Wisdom
Understanding one's identity as a child of God and a recipient of parental vows can shape one's decisions and life path. It is crucial to live in a way that honors this identity.(2) What, my son?--i.e., what shall I say? The question, thrice repeated, shows her extreme anxiety to give good advice to this son, who was "tender, and only beloved in the sight of his mother."

The son of my vows.--Perhaps given, like Samuel, in answer to her prayers and vows.

Verses 2-9. - Here follows the exhortation, which seems to come from the same source as the "burden" of Agur above. In this section the connection and parallelism of the parts are exhibited by repetition of thought and often of words in the several clauses. Verse 2. - What, my son? Mah, "what," is repeated thrice, both to enforce the attention of the son, and to show the mother's anxious care for his good. She feels the vast importance of the occasion, and asks as in perplexity, "What shall I say? What advice shall I give thee?" "Son" is here not ben, but bar, one of the Aramaic forms which are found in these two last chapters. The word occurs also in Psalm 2:12. Son of my vows. This might mean, "son who wast asked in prayer," like Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11), and dedicated to God, as the name Lemuel implies; or it may signify, "thou who art the object of my daily vows and prayers." Septuagint, "What, my son, wilt thou observe (τηρήσεις)? What? the sayings of God. My firstborn son, to thee I speak. What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?"

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
What [shall I say],
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

O my son?
בְּ֭רִי (bə·rî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1248: The heir

What,
וּמַֽה־ (ū·mah-)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

O son
בַּר־ (bar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1248: The heir

of my womb?
בִּטְנִ֑י (biṭ·nî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 990: The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything

What,
וּ֝מֶה (ū·meh)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

O son
בַּר־ (bar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1248: The heir

of my vows?
נְדָרָֽי׃ (nə·ḏā·rāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5088: A promise, a thing promised


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 31:2 Oh my son! (Prov. Pro Pr)
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