New English Translation
Proverbs 31:6
6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;
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!
- English Standard Version (ESV)Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
- New King James Version (NKJV)Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
Context of Proverbs 31:6
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, 5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights. Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed; 7let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more. 8Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying.
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 104:15as well as wine that makes people feel so good, and so they can have oil to make their faces shine, as well as food that sustains people’s lives.
- 1 Timothy 5:23(Stop drinking just water, but use a little wine for your digestion and your frequent illnesses.)
- 1 Samuel 1:10She was very upset as she prayed to the Lord, and she was weeping uncontrollably.
- 1 Samuel 30:6David was very upset, for the men were thinking of stoning him; each man grieved bitterly over his sons and daughters. But David drew strength from the Lord his God.
- 2 Kings 4:27But when she reached the prophet on the mountain, she grabbed hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to push her away, but the prophet said, “Leave her alone, for she is very upset. The Lord has kept the matter hidden from me; he didn’t tell me about it.”
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
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