Proverbs 20:1

Proverbs 20:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
• New International Version (NIV)Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Context of Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler; And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise. 2The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. 3It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife [by handling situations with thoughtful foresight], But any fool will [start a] quarrel [without regard for the consequences].

Proverbs 20:1 word by word

לֵ֣ץ הַ֭יַּין הֹמֶ֣ה שֵׁכָ֑ר וְכָל־שֹׁ֥גֶה בּ֝֗וֹ לֹ֣א יֶחְכָּֽם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Wineיַ֫יִןyayin · wineH3196
• a mockerלִיץlûts · to mockH3887
• strong drinkשֵׁכָרshêkâr · strong drinkH7941
• ragingהָמָהhâmâh · to roarH1993
• and whosoever is deceivedשָׁגָהshâgâh · to wanderH7686
• thereby is not wiseחָכַםchâkam · be wiseH2449

Commentaries on Proverbs 20:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Wine is a mocker - It deceives by its fragrance, intoxicates by its strength, and renders the intoxicated ridiculous. Strong drink - שכר shechar, any strong fermented liquor, whether of the vine, date, or palm species.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1“Wine” and “strong drink” are personified as themselves doing what they make men do. The latter (see Leviticus 10:9 note) is here, probably, the “palm-wine” of Syria.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Verse 1 It seems hard to believe that men of the greatest abilities, as well as the ignorant, should render themselves fools and madmen, merely for the taste or excitement produced by strong liquors.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1Too much alcohol affects a person's judgment. The Old Testament does not oppose drinking wine in moderation (Proverbs 3:10; 9:5; Psalm 104:14–15), but it strongly opposes excessive drinking (Proverbs 21:17; 23:29–35; 31:4–5).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-30Pr 20:1-30. 1. mocker--scorner. Such men are made by wine. strong drink--made by spicing wine (compare Is 5:11, 22); and it may include wine. raging--or boisterous as a drunkard. deceived--literally, "erring," or reeling.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 20:1

• Abomination
• Drunkenness
• Wine

In the dictionaries

• strong drink
• Advice
• Cease
• Counsel
• Drink, strong
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose

Commentaries on Proverbs 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings