New Living Translation
Proverbs 31:4
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.
Proverbs 31:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
- New International Version (NIV)It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
- English Standard Version (ESV)It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,
- New King James Version (NKJV)It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
Context of Proverbs 31:4
2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, 3do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. 5For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. 6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.
Read all of Proverbs 31Proverbs 31:4 word by word
אַ֤ל לַֽמְלָכִ֨ים׀ לְֽמוֹאֵ֗ל אַ֣ל לַֽמְלָכִ֣ים שְׁתוֹ־יָ֑יִן וּ֝לְרוֹזְנִ֗ים אֵ֣י שֵׁכָֽר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 31:4
- Leviticus 10:9“You and your descendants must never drink wine or any other alcoholic drink before going into the Tabernacle. If you do, you will die. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation.
- 1 Kings 20:12Ahab’s reply reached Ben-hadad and the other kings as they were drinking in their tents. “Prepare to attack!” Ben-hadad commanded his officers. So they prepared to attack the city.
- Esther 3:15At the king’s command, the decree went out by swift messengers, and it was also proclaimed in the fortress of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa fell into confusion.
- Ecclesiastes 10:17Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader and whose leaders feast at the proper time to gain strength for their work, not to get drunk.
- Isaiah 28:7Now, however, Israel is led by drunks who reel with wine and stagger with alcohol. The priests and prophets stagger with alcohol and lose themselves in wine. They reel when they see visions and stagger as they render decisions.
- Daniel 5:2While Belshazzar was drinking the wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver cups that his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem. He wanted to drink from them with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines.
- Hosea 4:11to worship other gods. “Wine has robbed my people of their understanding.
- Hosea 7:3“The people entertain the king with their wickedness, and the princes laugh at their lies.
- Habakkuk 2:5Wealth is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest. They open their mouths as wide as the grave, and like death, they are never satisfied. In their greed they have gathered up many nations and swallowed many peoples.
- Mark 6:21Herodias’s chance finally came on Herod’s birthday. He gave a party for his high government officials, army officers, and the leading citizens of Galilee.
Commentaries on Proverbs 31:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4It is not for kings - to drink wine - An intemperate man is ill fit to hold the reins of government.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Some read: “nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?” The “strong drink” Proverbs 20:1 was distilled from barley, or honey, or dates.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 31:4
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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