Proverbs 23:2

Proverbs 23:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
• New International Version (NIV)and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.
• English Standard Version (ESV)and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite.

Context of Proverbs 23:2

1When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider carefully what is [set] before you; For you will put a knife to your throat If you are a man of great appetite. 3Do not desire his delicacies, For it is deceptive food [offered to you with questionable motives]. 4Do not weary yourself [with the overwhelming desire] to gain wealth; Cease from your own understanding of it.

Proverbs 23:2 word by word

וְשַׂמְתָּ֣ שַׂכִּ֣ין בְּלֹעֶ֑ךָ אִם־בַּ֖עַל נֶ֣פֶשׁ אָֽתָּה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And putשׂוּםώûm ώîym · to set: putH7760
• a knifeשַׂכִּיןώakkîyn · knifeH7915
• to thy throatלֹעַlôa‛ · throatH3930
• a man givenבַּעַלba‛al · master: menH1167
• to appetiteנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soul: appetiteH5315

Cross-references for Proverbs 23:2

• Proverbs 18:8The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten]; They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].
• 1 Corinthians 9:27But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service].
• Philippians 3:19whose fate is destruction, whose god is their belly [their worldly appetite, their sensuality, their vanity], and whose glory is in their shame—who focus their mind on earthly and temporal things.

Commentaries on Proverbs 23:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Put a knife to thy throat - Repress thy appetite, and do not be incontinent of speech. Eat, drink, and converse, under a check.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2i. e., “Restrain thy appetite, eat as if the knife were at thy throat.” Others render the words “thou wilt put a knife to thy throat” etc., i. e., “indulgence at such a time may endanger thy very life.”Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-3Saying 6: Many proverbs advise young men in government jobs. A ruler's rich food might tempt a newcomer to overeat due to lack of self-control. But he will be at risk when full.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. put a knife--an Eastern figure for putting restraint on the appetite.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 23:2

• Abstemiousness
• Citizens
• Guest
• Manners
• Prudence
• Self-Denial
• Temperance

In the dictionaries

• Appetite
• Clothe
• Correction
• Dainty
• Desirous
• Drunkard
• Knife
• Poverty
• Riotous
• Sell

Commentaries on Proverbs 23

• 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
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings