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 eat with a ruler, pay close attention to what is in front of you, and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite. 3Do not crave his delicacies, because this is food that deceives you. 4Do not wear yourself out getting rich. Be smart enough to stop.

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 gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person’s innermost being.
• 1 Corinthians 9:27Rather, I toughen my body with punches and make it my slave so that I will not be disqualified after I have spread the Good News to others.
• Philippians 3:19In the end they will be destroyed. Their own emotions are their god, and they take pride in the shameful things they do. Their minds are set on worldly 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