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 before you, 2and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite; don’t desire his choice food, for that food is deceptive. 4Don’t wear yourself out to get rich; because you know better, stop! 5As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

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 23:6Don’t eat a stingy person’s bread, and don’t desire his choice food,
• Psalms 141:4Do not let my heart turn to any evil thing or perform wicked acts with evildoers. Do not let me feast on their delicacies.
• Daniel 1:8Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief eunuch not to defile himself.
• Luke 21:34“Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly
• Ephesians 4:22to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by 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