Proverbs 31:2

What, my sonne! and what, the sonne of my wombe! and what, the sonne of my vowes! Proverbs 31:2 (KJV)

The book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom sayings attributed primarily to King Solomon. Chapter 31 is traditionally known as the “virtuous woman” chapter, where the mother of King Lemuel addresses her son with a series of rhetorical questions. The speaker in this verse is the mother, and she uses the repeated phrase “What, my son?” followed by the expressions “the son of my womb” and “the son of my vows” to stress the intimate bond she shares with him.

The repetitive structure of the questions highlights the mother’s desire for her son’s undivided attention. By addressing him in three different ways, she underscores both the depth of her love and the weight of the instruction she is about to give. The questions function as a literary device to capture the son’s focus and to prepare him for the forthcoming counsel concerning the qualities of an excellent wife.

The significance of this opening lies in its call for attentive listening. The mother’s appeal points the son toward the upcoming description of a virtuous woman, emphasizing that wisdom and righteousness are to be understood through that portrait. The implication is that the instruction is of utmost importance and must be taken seriously; the mother’s guidance is intended to shape the son’s character and his understanding of proper conduct for rulers.

Overall, Proverbs 31:2 serves as an introduction to the wise instruction given by a mother to her son regarding the characteristics of a virtuous woman. It stresses the importance of listening carefully, the value of parental guidance, and the role of such teaching in forming a foundation for wisdom and righteous living. Interpretations may vary among individuals and Christian traditions, but the passage consistently invites the reader to consider the weight of maternal counsel.