Proverbs 23:3

Proverbs 23:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
• New International Version (NIV)Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Do not desire his delicacies, For they are deceptive food.

Context of Proverbs 23:3

1When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider carefully what is [set] before you; 2For you will put a knife to your throat If you are a man of great appetite. Do 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. 5When you set your eyes on wealth, it is [suddenly] gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies to the heavens.

Proverbs 23:3 word by word

אַל־תִּ֭תְאָיו לְמַטְעַמּוֹתָ֑יו וְ֝ה֗וּא לֶ֣חֶם כְּזָבִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Be not desirousאָוָה'âvâh · to desireH183
• of his daintiesמַטְעָםmaţ‛am maţ‛ammâh · delicacyH4303
• deceitfulכָּזָבkâzâb · lieH3577
• meatלֶ֫חֶםlechem · foodH3899

Cross-references for Proverbs 23:3

• Proverbs 23:6Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, Or desire his delicacies;
• Psalms 141:4Do not incline my heart to [consent to or tolerate] any evil thing, Or to practice deeds of wickedness With men who plan and do evil; And let me not eat of their delicacies (be tempted by their gain).
• Daniel 1:8But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile (taint, dishonor) himself with the king’s finest food or with the wine which the king drank; so he asked the commander of the officials that he might [be excused so that he would] not defile himself.
• Luke 21:34“But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed with the giddiness of debauchery and the nausea of self-indulgence and the worldly worries of life, and then that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap;
• Ephesians 4:22that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires,

Commentaries on Proverbs 23:3

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Dainties … deceitful meat - Such as “savory meat,” venison Genesis 27:4, offered not from genuine hospitality, but with some by-ends.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. 33. are deceitful meat--though well tasted, injurious.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 23:3

• Abstemiousness
• Citizens
• Guest
• Prudence
• Temperance

In the dictionaries

• Clothe
• Correction
• Dainty
• Desirous
• Drunkard
• Food
• Poverty
• Riotous
• Sell
• Wine

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