Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 25:16
16If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit.
Proverbs 25:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
- New International Version (NIV)If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
- English Standard Version (ESV)If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.
Context of Proverbs 25:16
14The one who boasts about a gift that does not exist is like clouds and wind without rain. 15A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit. 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house; otherwise, he’ll get sick of you and hate you. 18A person giving false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
Read all of Proverbs 25Proverbs 25:16 word by word
דְּבַ֣שׁ מָ֭צָאתָ אֱכֹ֣ל דַּיֶּ֑ךָּ פֶּן־תִּ֝שְׂבָּעֶ֗נּוּ וַהֲקֵֽאתֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 25:16
- Proverbs 24:13Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your palate;
- Judges 14:8After some time, when he returned to marry her, he left the road to see the lion’s carcass, and there was a swarm of bees with honey in the carcass.
- 1 Samuel 14:25Everyone went into the forest, and there was honey on the ground.
- Isaiah 7:15By the time he learns to reject what is bad and choose what is good, he will be eating curds and honey.
- Proverbs 26:27The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone — it will come back on him.
- Proverbs 23:8You will vomit the little you’ve eaten and waste your pleasant words.
- 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 5:18And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit:
Commentaries on Proverbs 25:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Hast thou found honey? - Make a moderate use of all thy enjoyments. "Let thy moderation be known unto all, and appear in all things."Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Hast thou found honey? - Compare Judges 14:8; 1 Samuel 14:27. The precept extends to the pleasure of which honey is the symbol.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 God has given us leave to use grateful things, but we are cautioned against excess.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-17Honey is tasty and healthy in moderation (Proverbs 24:13–14), but too much can cause vomiting. This idea applies to other life areas. For example, visiting your neighbors is good, but do not visit too often.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 16-1716-17. A comparison, as a surfeit of honey produces physical disgust, so your company, however agreeable in moderation, may, if excessive, lead your friend to hate you.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 25:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 25
- 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
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
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