Proverbs 31:1

Lemuel’s lesson of chastity and temperance. The verse reads literally, “The words of Lemuel, king, a prophecy [or, if the word is left untranslated, “of Massa”], which his mother taught him.” For “Massa” see on ch. 30:1. This chapter is closer in style and spirit to the rest of the book of Proverbs than is ch. 30, and there are those who think that Solomon wrote it. They regard Lemuel as another name for Solomon. However, this cannot be established, nor is a knowledge of the precise authorship important. The words are inspired and full of valuable counsel. The LXX has the following introduction to this new section, “My words have been spoken by God — the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.”