God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 23:34
34You will be like someone lying down in the middle of the sea or like someone lying down on top of a ship’s mast, saying,
Proverbs 23:34 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
- New International Version (NIV)You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.
- English Standard Version (ESV)You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
Context of Proverbs 23:34
32Later it bites like a snake and strikes like a poisonous snake. 33Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mouth will say embarrassing things. You will be like someone lying down in the middle of the sea or like someone lying down on top of a ship’s mast, saying, 35“They strike me, but I feel no pain. They beat me, but I’m not aware of it. Whenever I wake up, I’m going to look for another drink.”
Read all of Proverbs 23Proverbs 23:34 word by word
וְ֭הָיִיתָ כְּשֹׁכֵ֣ב בְּלֶב־יָ֑ם וּ֝כְשֹׁכֵ֗ב בְּרֹ֣אשׁ חִבֵּֽל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 23:34
- 1 Samuel 25:33May your good judgment be blessed. Also, may you be blessed for keeping me from slaughtering people today and from getting a victory by my own efforts.
- 1 Samuel 30:16The Egyptian led him ⌞to them⌟. They were spread out all over the land, eating, and drinking. They were celebrating because they had taken so much loot from Philistine territory and from the land of Judah.
- 2 Samuel 13:28Then Absalom gave an order to his servants. “Watch now,” he said. “When Amnon begins to feel good from drinking ⌞too much⌟ wine, I’ll tell you, ‘Attack Amnon.’ Then kill him. Don’t be afraid. I’ve given you the order, haven’t I? Be strong and courageous.”
- 1 Kings 16:9But Zimri, the general who commanded half of Elah’s chariots, plotted against him. Elah was getting drunk in Tirzah at Arza’s house. (Arza was in charge of the palace in Tirzah.)
- 1 Kings 20:16They attacked at noon, when Benhadad was in his tent getting drunk with the 32 kings who were his allies.
- Joel 1:5Wake up and cry, you drunks! Cry loudly, you wine drinkers! New wine has been taken away from you.
- Matthew 24:38In the days before the flood, people were eating, drinking, and getting married until the day that Noah went into the ship.
- Luke 17:27People were eating, drinking, and getting married until the day that Noah went into the ship. Then the flood destroyed all of them.
- Luke 21:34“Make sure that you don’t become drunk, hung over, and worried about life. Then that day could suddenly catch you by surprise
- 1 Thessalonians 5:2You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
- Exodus 15:8With a blast from your nostrils, the water piled up. The waves stood up like a dam. The deep water thickened in the middle of the sea.
Commentaries on Proverbs 23:34
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 34Lieth down in the midst of the sea - He is utterly regardless of life; which is expressed very forcibly by one in a state of intoxication ascending the shrouds, clasping the mast-head, and there falling asleep; whence, in a few moments, he must either fall down upon the deck and be dashed to pieces, or fall into the sea and be drowned. Reader, if thou be a man given to this appetite, put a knife to thy throat.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15-35Verses 15-35 Another continuous exhortation rather than a collection of maxims. Proverbs 23:16 The teacher rejoices when the disciple‘s heart Proverbs 23:15 receives wisdom, and yet more when his lips can utter it. Reins - See Job 19:27 note. Proverbs 23:17 Envy sinners - Compare in Psalm 37:1; Psalm 73:3; the feeling which looks half-longingly at the prosperity of evil doers. Some connect the verb “envy” with the second clause, “envy not sinners, but…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 29-35Verses 29-35 Solomon warns against drunkenness. Those that would be kept from sin, must keep from all the beginnings of it, and fear coming within reach of its allurements. Foresee the punishment, what it will at last end in, if repentance prevent not. It makes men quarrel. Drunkards wilfully make woe and sorrow for themselves. It makes men impure and insolent. The tongue grows unruly; the heart utters things contrary to reason, religion, and common…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 29-35Saying 18: This saying highlights the foolishness of someone who drinks too much alcohol (see Proverbs 20:1).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 26-3526-35. A solemn warning against whoredom and drunkenness (Ho 4:11). give me--This is the address of that divine wisdom so often presented (Pr 8:1; 9:3, &c.). heart--confidence. observe--keep. my ways--such as I teach you (Pr 3:17; 9:6).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 23:34
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries