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Proverbs 23

BSB·35 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Whenכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you sit downתֵ֭שֵׁבṯê·šêḇ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → to dineלִלְח֣וֹםlil·ḥō·wm — to fight; to consume; to battleH3898 — Full Word Study → withאֶת־’eṯ- — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study → a rulerמוֹשֵׁ֑לmō·wō·šêl — To rule, reign, or exercise dominionH4910 — Full Word Study →, consider carefullyבִּ֥יןbîn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → whatאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → is set before youלְפָנֶֽיךָ׃lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, 2and putוְשַׂמְתָּ֣wə·śam·tā — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → a knifeשַׂכִּ֣יןśak·kîn — A cutting implement; knife or bladeH7915 — Full Word Study → to your throatבְּלֹעֶ֑ךָbə·lō·‘e·ḵā — throat; neck; gulletH3930 — Full Word Study → ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → youאָֽתָּה׃’āt·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → possessבַּ֖עַלba·‘al — Master, owner, lord, husbandH1167 — Full Word Study → a great appetite. 3Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → craveתִּ֭תְאָוtiṯ·ʾå̄w — to mark, point out, designateH8376 — Full Word Study → his delicaciesלְמַטְעַמּוֹתָ֑יוlə·maṭ·‘am·mō·w·ṯāw — delicacy, savory food, dainty meatH4303 — Full Word Study →, for thatוְ֝ה֗וּאwə·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → foodלֶ֣חֶםle·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → is deceptiveכְּזָבִֽים׃kə·zā·ḇîm — Lie, falsehood, deceptionH3577 — Full Word Study →. 4Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → wear yourself outתִּיגַ֥עtî·ḡa‘ — to toil, labor, become wearyH3021 — Full Word Study → to get richלְֽהַעֲשִׁ֑ירlə·ha·‘ă·šîr — to become or make rich; to enrichH6238 — Full Word Study →; be wise enoughמִֽבִּינָתְךָ֥mib·bî·nā·ṯə·ḵā — Understanding; discernment; insightH998 — Full Word Study → to restrain yourselfחֲדָֽל׃ḥă·ḏāl — to cease, stop, or desist from an actionH2308 — Full Word Study →. 5When you glanceהֲתָעוּףhă·ṯå̄·ʿūp̄ — to fly; to faint or grow wearyH5774 — Full Word Study → at wealth, it disappearsוְֽאֵ֫ינֶ֥נּוּwə·’ê·nen·nū — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → it makesעָשֹׂ֣ה‘ā·śōh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → wings for itselfכְנָפַ֑יִםḵə·nā·p̄a·yim — wing; edge, border, cornerH3671 — Full Word Study → and fliesוְעָיֵףwə·ʿå̄·yēp̄ — to fly; to faint or grow wearyH5774 — Full Word Study → like an eagleכְּ֝נֶ֗שֶׁרkə·ne·šer — Eagle; large bird of preyH5404 — Full Word Study → to the skyהַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃פhaš·šā·mā·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →. 6Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → eatתִּלְחַ֗םtil·ḥam — to fight; to consume; to battleH3898 — Full Word Study → the breadלֶ֭חֶםle·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → of a stingy manרַ֣עra‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →, and do notוְאַל־wə·’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → craveתִּתְאָוtiṯ·ʾå̄w — to mark, point out, designateH8376 — Full Word Study → his delicaciesלְמַטְעַמֹּתָֽיו׃lə·maṭ·‘am·mō·ṯāw — delicacy, savory food, dainty meatH4303 — Full Word Study →; 7forכִּ֤י׀kî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → he is keeping trackשָׁעַ֥רšā·‘ar — to reckon, estimate, or consider mentallyH8176 — Full Word Study →, inwardlyבְּנַפְשׁ֗וֹbə·nap̄·šōw — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → counting the cost. “Eatאֱכֹ֣ל’ĕ·ḵōl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → and drinkוּ֭שְׁתֵהū·šə·ṯêh — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study →,” he saysיֹ֣אמַרyō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to you, but his heartוְ֝לִבּ֗וֹwə·lib·bōw — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → is notבַּל־bal- — not, lest, nothingH1077 — Full Word Study → with youעִמָּֽךְ׃‘im·māḵ — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study →. 8You will vomit upתְקִיאֶ֑נָּהṯə·qî·’en·nāh — to vomit; to eject or expel forcefullyH6958 — Full Word Study → what littleפִּֽתְּךָ־pit·tə·ḵā- — A morsel, bit, or small piece of foodH6595 — Full Word Study → you have eatenאָכַ֥לְתָּ’ā·ḵal·tā — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → and wasteוְ֝שִׁחַ֗תָּwə·ši·ḥa·tā — to destroy, ruin, or corruptH7843 — Full Word Study → your pleasantהַנְּעִימִֽים׃han·nə·‘î·mîm — Pleasant, delightful, agreeableH5273 — Full Word Study → wordsדְּבָרֶ֥יךָdə·ḇā·re·ḵā — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study →. 9Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → speakתְּדַבֵּ֑רtə·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → to a foolכְ֭סִילḵə·sîl — fool, foolish personH3684 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → he will despiseיָ֝ב֗וּזyā·ḇūz — to despise, treat with contemptH936 — Full Word Study → the wisdomלְשֵׂ֣כֶלlə·śê·ḵel — Understanding, prudent discernment, practical wisdomH7922 — Full Word Study → of your wordsמִלֶּֽיךָ׃mil·le·ḵā — speech, word, matter, thing saidH4405 — Full Word Study →. 10Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → moveתַּ֭סֵּגtas·sêḡ — To withdraw, turn back, or remove oneselfH5253 — Full Word Study → an ancientעוֹלָ֑ם‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study → boundary stoneגְּב֣וּלgə·ḇūl — boundary, border, or limit of a regionH1366 — Full Word Study → or encroachתָּבֹֽא׃tā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → on the fieldsוּבִשְׂדֵ֥יū·ḇiś·ḏê — A field; cultivated or open landH7704 — Full Word Study → of the fatherlessיְ֝תוֹמִ֗יםyə·ṯō·w·mîm — A child without a father; an orphanH3490 — Full Word Study →, 11forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → their Redeemerגֹאֲלָ֥םḡō·’ă·lām — to redeem; to act as kinsman-redeemerH1350 — Full Word Study → is strongחָזָ֑קḥā·zāq — Strong, mighty, firm, courageousH2389 — Full Word Study →; Heהֽוּא־hū- — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → will take upיָרִ֖יבyā·rîḇ — To contend, strive, dispute, or plead a caseH7378 — Full Word Study → their caseרִיבָ֣םrî·ḇām — Strife, contention, legal disputeH7379 — Full Word Study → against youאִתָּֽךְ׃’it·tāḵ — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study →. 12Applyהָבִ֣יאָהhā·ḇî·’āh — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → your heartלִבֶּ֑ךָlib·be·ḵā — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → to instructionלַמּוּסָ֣רlam·mū·sār — Discipline, instruction, or correctionH4148 — Full Word Study → and your earsוְ֝אָזְנֶ֗ךָwə·’ā·zə·ne·ḵā — Ear; the organ of hearing and listeningH241 — Full Word Study → to wordsלְאִמְרֵי־lə·’im·rê- — Word, speech, saying, utteranceH561 — Full Word Study → of knowledgeדָֽעַת׃ḏā·‘aṯ — Knowledge, understanding, awarenessH1847 — Full Word Study →. 13Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → withholdתִּמְנַ֣עtim·na‘ — to withhold, restrain, or refuse to giveH4513 — Full Word Study → disciplineמוּסָ֑רmū·sār — Discipline, instruction, or correctionH4148 — Full Word Study → from a childמִנַּ֣עַרmin·na·‘ar — Young man, boy, or male servantH5288 — Full Word Study →; althoughכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you strike himתַכֶּ֥נּוּṯak·ken·nū — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → with a rodבַ֝שֵּׁ֗בֶטḇaš·šê·ḇeṭ — tribe; staff; scepter; rodH7626 — Full Word Study →, he will notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → dieיָמֽוּת׃yā·mūṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →. 14Strike himתַּכֶּ֑נּוּtak·ken·nū — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → with a rodבַּשֵּׁ֣בֶטbaš·šê·ḇeṭ — tribe; staff; scepter; rodH7626 — Full Word Study →, and you will deliverתַּצִּֽיל׃taṣ·ṣîl — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → his soulוְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹwə·nap̄·šōw — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → from Sheolמִשְּׁא֥וֹלmiš·šə·’ō·wl — The grave; the abode of the dead; the underworldH7585 — Full Word Study →. 15My sonבְּ֭נִיbə·nî — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → your heartלִבֶּ֑ךָlib·be·ḵā — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → is wiseחָכַ֣םḥā·ḵam — to be wise; to act with wisdomH2449 — Full Word Study →, my own heartלִבִּ֣יlib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → will indeedגַם־ḡam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → rejoiceיִשְׂמַ֖חyiś·maḥ — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study →. 16My inmost beingכִלְיוֹתָ֑יḵil·yō·w·ṯāy — Kidney; seat of emotion and conscienceH3629 — Full Word Study → will rejoiceוְתַעְלֹ֥זְנָהwə·ṯa‘·lō·zə·nāh — to exult, rejoice, triumphH5937 — Full Word Study → when your lipsשְׂ֝פָתֶ֗יךָśə·p̲ā·t̲ê·k̲ā — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study → speakבְּדַבֵּ֥רbə·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → what is rightמֵישָׁרִֽים׃mê·šā·rîm — Uprightness, righteousness, equityH4339 — Full Word Study →. 17Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → let your heartלִ֭בְּךָlib·bə·ḵā — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → envyיְקַנֵּ֣אyə·qan·nê — to be jealous, zealous, or enviousH7065 — Full Word Study → sinnersבַּֽחַטָּאִ֑יםba·ḥaṭ·ṭā·’îm — A sinner; one who transgresses God's lawH2400 — Full Word Study →, butכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → always continueכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → in the fearבְּיִרְאַת־bə·yir·’aṯ- — Fear, reverence, dread, or aweH3374 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 18Forכִּ֭יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → surelyאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → there isיֵ֣שׁyêš — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → a futureאַחֲרִ֑ית’a·ḥă·rîṯ — End, latter time, final outcomeH319 — Full Word Study →, and your hopeוְ֝תִקְוָתְךָ֗wə·ṯiq·wā·ṯə·ḵā — Hope; expectation; cord of attachmentH8615 — Full Word Study → will notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → be cut offתִכָּרֵֽת׃ṯik·kā·rêṯ — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study →. 19Listenשְׁמַע־šə·ma‘- — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →, my sonבְנִ֣יḇə·nî — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, and be wiseוַחֲכָ֑םwa·ḥă·ḵām — to be wise; to act with wisdomH2449 — Full Word Study →, and guideוְאַשֵּׁ֖רwə·’aš·šêr — to bless, to make happy or prosperousH833 — Full Word Study → your heartלִבֶּֽךָ׃lib·be·ḵā — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → on the right courseבַּדֶּ֣רֶךְbad·de·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →. 20Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → joinתְּהִ֥יtə·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → those who drink too muchבְסֹֽבְאֵי־ḇə·sō·ḇə·’ê- — to drink heavily, become drunk, tipple excessivelyH5433 — Full Word Study → wineיָ֑יִןyā·yin — Wine; fermented grape juiceH3196 — Full Word Study → or gorgeבְּזֹלֲלֵ֖יbə·zō·lă·lê — to shake violently; to act wastefully or immorallyH2151 — Full Word Study → themselves on meatבָשָׂ֣רḇā·śār — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study →. 21Forכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the drunkardסֹבֵ֣אsō·ḇê — to drink heavily, become drunk, tipple excessivelyH5433 — Full Word Study → and the gluttonוְ֭זוֹלֵלwə·zō·w·lêl — to shake violently; to act wastefully or immorallyH2151 — Full Word Study → will come to povertyיִוָּרֵ֑שׁyiw·wā·rêš — to possess, inherit, dispossessH3423 — Full Word Study →, and drowsinessנוּמָֽה׃nū·māh — Drowsiness, sluggishness, lethargyH5124 — Full Word Study → will clothe themתַּלְבִּ֥ישׁtal·bîš — To clothe, dress, or wear garmentsH3847 — Full Word Study → in ragsוּ֝קְרָעִ֗יםū·qə·rā·‘îm — Torn piece of cloth; rags or fragmentsH7168 — Full Word Study →. 22Listenשְׁמַ֣עšə·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → to your fatherלְ֭אָבִיךָlə·’ā·ḇî·ḵā — H1 — Full Word Study → whoזֶ֣הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → gave you lifeיְלָדֶ֑ךָyə·lā·ḏe·ḵā — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study →, and do notוְאַל־wə·’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → despiseתָּ֝ב֗וּזtā·ḇūz — to despise, treat with contemptH936 — Full Word Study → your motherאִמֶּֽךָ׃’im·me·ḵā — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → whenכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → she is oldזָקְנָ֥הzā·qə·nāh — to become old, age, grow oldH2204 — Full Word Study →. 23Invest inקְ֭נֵהqə·nêh — to acquire, buy, or possess through paymentH7069 — Full Word Study → truthאֱמֶ֣ת’ĕ·meṯ — Truth; faithfulness; reliability; what is established and sureH571 — Full Word Study → and neverוְאַל־wə·’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → sell itתִּמְכֹּ֑רtim·kōr — to sell; to exchange for paymentH4376 — Full Word Study →in wisdomחָכְמָ֖הḥāḵ·māh — Wisdom; skillful understanding and discernmentH2451 — Full Word Study → and instructionוּמוּסָ֣רū·mū·sār — Discipline, instruction, or correctionH4148 — Full Word Study → and understandingוּבִינָֽה׃ū·ḇî·nāh — Understanding; discernment; insightH998 — Full Word Study →. 24The fatherאֲבִ֣י’ă·ḇî — H1 — Full Word Study → of a righteous manצַדִּ֑יקṣad·dîq — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study → will greatly rejoiceגּוֹלgōl — to rejoice, be glad, exultH1523 — Full Word Study →, and he who fathersיוֹלֵדyō·lēḏ — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → a wise sonחָ֝כָ֗םḥā·ḵām — Wise, skilled, or cunning in understanding and discernmentH2450 — Full Word Study → will delight in himוְיִשְׂמַחwə·yiś·maḥ — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study →. 25May your fatherאָבִ֥יךָ’ā·ḇî·ḵā — H1 — Full Word Study → and motherוְאִמֶּ֑ךָwə·’im·me·ḵā — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → be gladיִֽשְׂמַח־yiś·maḥ- — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study →, and may she who gave you birthיֽוֹלַדְתֶּֽךָ׃yō·w·laḏ·te·ḵā — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → rejoiceוְ֝תָגֵ֗לwə·ṯā·ḡêl — to rejoice, be glad, exultH1523 — Full Word Study →! 26My sonבְנִ֣יḇə·nî — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, give meתְּנָֽה־tə·nāh- — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → your heartלִבְּךָ֣lib·bə·ḵā — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study →, and let your eyesוְ֝עֵינֶ֗יךָwə·‘ê·ne·ḵā — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → delightתִּרְצֶנָה׃tir·ṣɛ·nå̄h — to accept, be pleased with, delight inH7521 — Full Word Study → in my waysדְּרָכַ֥יdə·rā·ḵay — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →. 27Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a prostituteזוֹנָ֑הzō·w·nāh — to commit sexual immorality; to act as a harlot or prostituteH2181 — Full Word Study → is a deepעֲמֻקָּ֣ה‘ă·muq·qāh — Deep, profound, abyssH6013 — Full Word Study → pitשׁוּחָ֣הšū·ḥāh — Pit, ditch, or hole dug in the groundH7745 — Full Word Study →, and an adulteressנָכְרִיָּֽה׃nā·ḵə·rî·yāh — foreign, alien, strangerH5237 — Full Word Study → is a narrowצָ֝רָ֗הṣā·rāh — Narrow, tight, or distress; an adversary or enemyH6862 — Full Word Study → wellוּבְאֵ֥רū·ḇə·’êr — A deep hole or pit dug in the ground, typically for waterH875 — Full Word Study →. 28Like a robberכְּחֶ֣תֶףkə·ḥe·ṯep̄ — prey; something seized or plunderedH2863 — Full Word Study → sheהִ֭יאhî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → lies in waitתֶּֽאֱרֹ֑בte·’ĕ·rōḇ — To lie in ambush; to set a trap or attack by stealthH693 — Full Word Study → and multipliesתּוֹסִֽף׃tō·w·sip̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → the faithlessוּ֝בוֹגְדִ֗יםū·ḇō·wḡ·ḏîm — To act treacherously; betray or deal unfaithfullyH898 — Full Word Study → among menבְּאָדָ֥םbə·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →. 29Whoלְמִ֨יlə·mî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → has woeא֥וֹי’ō·w — Woe; an exclamation of grief, lamentation, or warningH188 — Full Word Study →? Whoלְמִ֪יlə·mî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → has sorrowאֲב֡וֹי’ă·ḇō·w — Exclamation of pain, sorrow, or lamentationH17 — Full Word Study →? Whoלְמִ֤יlə·mî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → has contentionsמְדוֹנִיםmə·ḏō·nīm — Strife, quarreling, contentionH4066 — Full Word Study →? Whoלְמִ֥יlə·mî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → has complaintsשִׂ֗יחַśî·aḥ — Complaint, meditation, or speech; utterance of the heartH7879 — Full Word Study →? Whoלְ֭מִיlə·mî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → has needless woundsפְּצָעִ֣יםpə·ṣā·‘îm — wound, injury, or blow to the bodyH6482 — Full Word Study →? Whoלְ֝מִ֗יlə·mî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → has bloodshotחַכְלִל֥וּתḥaḵ·li·lūṯ — dullness, dimness, or obscurity of visionH2448 — Full Word Study → eyesעֵינָֽיִם׃‘ê·nā·yim — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →? 30Those who lingerלַֽמְאַחֲרִ֥יםlam·’a·ḥă·rîm — to delay, tarry, or postpone actionH309 — Full Word Study → overעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → wineהַיָּ֑יִןhay·yā·yin — Wine; fermented grape juiceH3196 — Full Word Study →, who goלַ֝בָּאִ֗יםlab·bā·’îm — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → to tasteלַחְקֹ֥רlaḥ·qōr — to search out, investigate, or examine thoroughlyH2713 — Full Word Study → mixed drinksמִמְסָֽךְ׃mim·sāḵ — Mixed wine or intoxicating drinkH4469 — Full Word Study →. 31Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → gaze atתֵּ֥רֶאtê·re — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → wineיַיִן֮ya·yin — Wine; fermented grape juiceH3196 — Full Word Study → whileכִּ֪יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → it is redיִתְאַ֫דָּ֥םyiṯ·’ad·dām — to be red; to redden; ruddy complexionH119 — Full Word Study →, whenכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → it sparklesיִתֵּ֣ןyit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → in the cupבַּכִּיסbak·kīs — Purse, bag, or pouch for carrying itemsH3599 — Full Word Study → and goes down smoothlyיִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ךְyiṯ·hal·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →. 32In the endאַ֭חֲרִיתוֹ’a·ḥă·rî·ṯōw — End, latter time, final outcomeH319 — Full Word Study → it bitesיִשָּׁ֑ךְyiš·šāḵ — To bite or sting; to oppress through usuryH5391 — Full Word Study → like a snakeכְּנָחָ֣שׁkə·nā·ḥāš — serpent, snakeH5175 — Full Word Study → and stingsיַפְרִֽשׁ׃yap̄·riš — to separate; to scatter; to declare distinctlyH6567 — Full Word Study → like a viperוּֽכְצִפְעֹנִ֥יū·ḵə·ṣip̄·‘ō·nî — viper or venomous serpentH6848 — Full Word Study →. 33Your eyesעֵ֭ינֶיךָ‘ê·ne·ḵā — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → will seeיִרְא֣וּyir·’ū — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → strange thingsזָר֑וֹתzā·rō·wṯ — to turn aside, be strange or foreignH2114 — Full Word Study →, and your mindוְ֝לִבְּךָ֗wə·lib·bə·ḵā — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → will utterיְדַבֵּ֥רyə·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → perversitiesתַּהְפֻּכֽוֹת׃tah·pu·ḵō·wṯ — Perversity, frowardness, twisted rebellionH8419 — Full Word Study →. 34You will beוְ֭הָיִיתָwə·hā·yî·ṯā — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → like one sleepingכְּשֹׁכֵ֣בkə·šō·ḵêḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → on the high seasיָ֑םyām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → or lyingוּ֝כְשֹׁכֵ֗בū·ḵə·šō·ḵêḇ — to lie down, recline, sleepH7901 — Full Word Study → on the topבְּרֹ֣אשׁbə·rōš — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → of a mastחִבֵּֽל׃ḥib·bêl — mast (of a ship)H2260 — Full Word Study →: 35They struck meהִכּ֥וּנִיhik·kū·nî — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study →, but I feel noבַל־ḇal- — not, lest, nothingH1077 — Full Word Study → painחָלִיתִי֮ḥā·lî·ṯî — to be sick, weak, or afflicted; to entreat or beseechH2470 — Full Word Study →! They beat meהֲלָמ֗וּנִיhă·lā·mū·nî — to strike down, smite, or shatter with forceH1986 — Full Word Study →, but I did notבַּל־bal- — not, lest, nothingH1077 — Full Word Study → know it!יָ֫דָ֥עְתִּיyā·ḏā·‘ə·tî — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → Whenמָתַ֥יmā·ṯay — when, how long, until whenH4970 — Full Word Study → can I wake upאָקִ֑יץ’ā·qîṣ — to awake, arise from sleep or inactivityH6974 — Full Word Study → to search forאֲבַקְשֶׁ֥נּוּ’ă·ḇaq·šen·nū — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → anotherא֝וֹסִ֗יף’ō·w·sîp̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → drinkעֽוֹד׃‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study →?”
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Chapter Commentary — Proverbs 23
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Proverbs 23 is a masterclass in practical wisdom for living a life of integrity and self-control. The chapter addresses several core areas of human temptation and folly: the dangers of greed and materialism, the importance of discernment in relationships, the necessity of discipline and instruction, the poison of envy, the ruin of addiction, and the snare of sexual sin. Throughout these thirty-five verses, the writer (traditionally Solomon) repeatedly appeals to his son to guard his heart, choose wise companions, honor his parents, and reject the fleeting pleasures that lead to destruction. The overarching message is that true prosperity and joy come not from pursuing wealth, indulgence, or forbidden desires, but from fearing God, embracing instruction, and maintaining moral boundaries.

Verses 1–5: Caution with the Powerful; Reject the Lure of Riches

When eating with a ruler or person of influence, we must be vigilant and discerning (v. 1). The phrase "put a knife to thy throat" (v. 2) is a vivid, hyperbolic warning: if you are prone to gluttony or greed, restrain yourself severely—as if your life depends on it. The "dainties" offered by the powerful come with invisible strings attached; they are "deceitful meat" (v. 3) because they obligate you and compromise your independence.

Verses 4–5 shift focus to the broader trap of materialism. "Labour not to be rich" does not condemn honest work, but warns against making wealth the consuming goal of life or trusting in your own schemes to gain it. Riches are fundamentally unstable—they have "wings" and fly away like an eagle. Jesus echoed this truth: "the deceitfulness of riches" chokes the Word (Matthew 13:22). Application: Guard your heart against the seduction of status, wealth, and the approval of powerful people. True security rests in God alone, not in material possession or human favor.

Verses 6–8: The Danger of False Hospitality

Here Solomon warns against accepting hospitality from "him that hath an evil eye"—a person whose generosity masks a selfish or hostile heart. Verse 7 is the key: "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." His words say "eat and drink," but his heart is not genuinely with you. Such relationships are hollow and potentially dangerous. Whatever benefit you gain will be vomited up; your gracious words will be wasted (v. 8). Application: Be discerning about those whose company you keep. Genuine fellowship requires authentic hearts, not merely courteous words.

Verses 9–12: Seek Instruction; Avoid the Fool

Do not waste wisdom on a fool (v. 9)—he will despise it and mock you. Instead, apply your own heart to instruction (v. 12). This includes both receiving correction and maintaining boundaries. Proverbs consistently teaches that the wise person is always learning, while the fool is closed to wisdom.

Verses 13–16: The Value of Correction and a Wise Child

Corporal discipline, properly administered, does not destroy the child but can save his soul from destruction (vv. 13–14). This reflects the biblical view that loving correction is essential to training. A wise son brings joy to his father's heart and cause for celebration (vv. 15–16).

Verses 17–25: Envy, Sobriety, and Honor to Parents

Do not envy sinners; instead, maintain the fear of the Lord (v. 17). Avoid drunkenness and gluttony (vv. 20–21), as they lead to poverty and shame. Honor your aging parents (vv. 22–25)—this is both a command and a joy.

Verses 26–35: Sexual Purity and the Folly of Wine

Sexual immorality is described as a "deep ditch" and a "narrow pit" that ensnares the unwary (vv. 27–28). Wine, when pursued obsessively, leads to confusion, pain, and bondage (vv. 29–35). The drunkard does not feel his wounds; he returns to his sin, enslaved.

Application for Today

Proverbs 23 calls us to humble self-awareness and intentional obedience. In a culture that celebrates wealth, sensuality, and self-indulgence, we are summoned to a better way: fear God, receive instruction, honor relationships, and guard our hearts with all diligence. True blessing flows not from what we grasp, but from what we surrender to Christ.

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