Proverbs 23:20

Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: BE NOT ... AMONG RIOTOUS EATERS OF FLESH - literally, 'among, those who immoderately eat flesh for themselves' (). Maurer translates, 'among those who are lavish of their body' - i:e., who give their body up to carnal lusts. I prefer the English version (cf. )....

Verse Proverbs 23:20. _BE NOT AMONG WINEBIBBERS_] There is much of this chapter spent in giving directions concerning _eating, drinking_, and _entertainments_ in general. First, the pupil is directed relative to the manner in which he is to conduct himself in his visits to the tables of the _rich_ and _great_. 2. Relative to the _covetous_, and his intercourse with them. And 3. To _public_ _entertainments_, where there were generally riot and debauch. The reasons, says _Calmet_, which induced the wise man to give these directions were, 1. The useless expense. 2. The loss of time. 3. The danger from bad company. And 4. The danger of contracting irregular habits, and of being induced to lead a voluptuous and effeminate life....

Another continuous exhortation rather than a collection of maxims. Proverbs 23:16 The teacher rejoices when the disciple’s heart Proverbs 23:15 receives wisdom, and yet more when his lips can utter it. REINS - See Job 19:27 note. Proverbs 23:17 ENVY SINNERS - Compare in Psalms 37:1; Psalms 73:3; the feeling whi

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 23:1 A hexastich closely connected with the last verse of the preceding chapter, as if the warning was addressed to the man of skill whom his talents had made the guest of kings. PROVERBS 23:1 WHEN THOU SITTEST TO EAT WITH A RULER. This, of course, would be a great honour to a man of lowly birth, or to one of the middle class, to whom the manners of courts and palaces were practically unknown. CONSIDER DILIGENTLY WHAT IS BEFORE THEE. So the Vulgate, _Qua apposita sunt ante faciem tuam_;_ _and the Septuagint, Τὰ παρατιθέμενά σοι_. _Take heed lest the unusual dainties on the table tempt thee to excess, which may lead not only to unseemly behavi

BE NOT AMONGST WINEBIBBERS,.... Who drink to excess, otherwise wine may be drank, provided moderation is used; but it is not good to be in company with, excessive drinkers of it, lost a habit of excessive drinking should be acquired; AMONG RIOTOUS EATERS OF FLESH; flesh may be lawfully eaten, but not in a riotous manner, so as to indulge to gluttony and surfeiting; nor should such persons be kept company with that do so, lest their ways should be learned and imitated....

CHAPTER 23 INSTRUCTIONS CONTINUED The opening proverbs of this chapter treat of self-restraint in curbing the appetite and give manners to be observed in the presence of a superior. Warnings against riches and their uncertainty are contained in Proverbs 23:4 and Proverbs 23:5. How well it would be if the great mass of professing Christians, and some true believers also, would consider this instruction: “Labor not to be rich.” But this exhortation as well as the exhortation in 1Ti 6:1-10 is overlooked, and many who profess to have their riches in Christ, in the heavenly places and never ending glory, weary themselves with earthly gain, and aim to become wealthy. But riches have wings; they can fly away swiftly as does the eagle when he mounts heavenward. This too is mentioned in the epistle to Timoth

It is possible to take these three verses together as a warning against treachery lurking in the dainties of a royal table. In that case, in Proverbs 23:1 we should render consider diligently what (_mg._) is set before thee, and in Proverbs 23:2 continue, For thou wilt put (_mg.)._ But possibly the general interpretation represented by RV is more suitable, and Proverbs 23:3 has come in by error from Proverbs 23:6, where it more naturally belongs. Proverbs 23:4 f. The uncertainty of riches. The general sense is clear, but the text is

WINEBIBBERS. Hebrew. _yayin_ (App-27.) and _saba' =_ drinkers to excess. EATERS OF FLESH. selfish eaters....

_riotous_ Rather, GLUTTONOUS, as the same word is rendered in Proverbs 23:21 and Deuteronomy 21:20, A.V....

BE NOT AMONGST WINE-BIBBERS, &C.— See the note on chap. Proverbs 15:17. The wise man almost throughout this whole chapter gives his disciple precepts respecting meals. First, he tells him of the manner in which he ought to conduct himself in eating with princes; he then cautions him to avoid the table of a covetous man; not to give him entertainment, nor to receive any from him. Here he attacks another kind of feasts; namely, where several assembled together, and each paid their quota. Formerly every one brought his own plate; this is the practice still in some countries. The reasons which might have adduced the wise man to forbid his disciples these kinds of assemblies, are, _first,_ the vain expence; _secondly,_ the loss of time; _thirdly,_ the hazard of evil company; _fourthly,_ the dangerous habits of leading a soft and indolent life; and the fear of being acc