English Standard Version
Proverbs 31:6
6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
Proverbs 31:6 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
- New International Version (NIV)Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
- New King James Version (NKJV)Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.
Context of Proverbs 31:6
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; 7let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. 8Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Read all of Proverbs 31Proverbs 31:6 word by word
תְּנוּ־שֵׁכָ֣ר לְאוֹבֵ֑ד וְ֝יַיִן לְמָ֣רֵי נָֽפֶשׁ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 31:6
- Psalms 104:15and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart.
- 1 Timothy 5:23(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.)
- 1 Samuel 1:10She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.
- 1 Samuel 30:6And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
- 2 Kings 4:27And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, "Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me."
Commentaries on Proverbs 31:6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish - We have already seen, that inebriating drinks were mercifully given to condemned criminals, to render them less sensible of the torture they endured in dying. This is what was offered to our Lord; but he refused it. See note on Psalm 104:15.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6The true purpose of the power of wine over man‘s mind and body, as a restorative and remedial agent. Compare the margin reference. The same thought showed itself in the Jewish practice of giving a cup of wine to mourners, and (as in the history of the crucifixion) to criminals at their execution.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-7Drinking too much wine dulls the senses. A king needs to stay alert and should not drink too much alcohol.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-93-9. Succinct but solemn warnings against vices to which kings are peculiarly tempted, as carnal pleasures and oppressive and unrighteous government are used to sustain sensual indulgence. strength--mental and bodily resources for health and comfort. thy ways--or course of life. to that ... kings--literally, "to the destroying of kings," avoid destructive pleasures (compare Pr 5:9; 7:22, 27; Ho 4:11).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 31:6
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 31
- 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
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries