Proverbs 23:3

Proverbs 23:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
• New International Version (NIV)Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Do not desire his delicacies, For they are deceptive food.

Context of Proverbs 23:3

1While dining with a ruler, pay attention to what is put before you. 2If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat; don’t desire all the delicacies, for he might be trying to trick you. 4Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. 5In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.

Proverbs 23:3 word by word

אַל־תִּ֭תְאָיו לְמַטְעַמּוֹתָ֑יו וְ֝ה֗וּא לֶ֣חֶם כְּזָבִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Be not desirousאָוָה'âvâh · to desireH183
• of his daintiesמַטְעָםmaţ‛am maţ‛ammâh · delicacyH4303
• deceitfulכָּזָבkâzâb · lieH3577
• meatלֶ֫חֶםlechem · foodH3899

Cross-references for Proverbs 23:3

• Proverbs 23:6Don’t eat with people who are stingy; don’t desire their delicacies.
• Psalms 141:4Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.
• Daniel 1:8But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.
• Luke 21:34“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware,
• Ephesians 4:22throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.

Commentaries on Proverbs 23:3

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Dainties … deceitful meat - Such as “savory meat,” venison Genesis 27:4, offered not from genuine hospitality, but with some by-ends.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. 33. are deceitful meat--though well tasted, injurious.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 23:3

• Abstemiousness
• Citizens
• Guest
• Prudence
• Temperance

In the dictionaries

• Clothe
• Correction
• Dainty
• Desirous
• Drunkard
• Food
• Poverty
• Riotous
• Sell
• Wine

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