Proverbs 31:6
Proverbs 31:6 in Multiple Translations
Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:
Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:
Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
Giue ye strong drinke vnto him that is readie to perish, and wine vnto them that haue griefe of heart.
Give strong drink to the perishing, And wine to the bitter in soul,
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that are of heavy hearts.
Give strong drink to them that are sad: and wine to them that are grieved in mind:
Give strong/alcoholic drinks to those who are dying and to those who are ◄greatly distressed/suffering very much►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 31:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 31:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תְּנוּ
שֵׁכָ֣ר
לְ/אוֹבֵ֑ד
וְ֝/יַיִן
לְ/מָ֣רֵי
נָֽפֶשׁ
תְּנוּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
שֵׁכָ֣ר
shêkâr
H7941
strong drink
N-ms
לְ/אוֹבֵ֑ד
ʼâbad
H6
to perish
Prep | V-Qal
וְ֝/יַיִן
yayin
H3196
wine
Conj | N-ms
לְ/מָ֣רֵי
mar
H4751
bitter
Prep | Adj
נָֽפֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 31:6
תְּנוּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
שֵׁכָ֣ר
shêkâr
H7941
"strong drink"
N-ms
Shekar refers to strong drink or intoxicating liquor in the Bible. It is an intensely alcoholic beverage that can cause drunkenness, as seen in Proverbs 31:6.
Definition: strong drink, intoxicating drink, fermented or intoxicating liquor
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: strong drink, [phrase] drunkard, strong wine. See also: Leviticus 10:9; Proverbs 20:1; Psalms 69:13.
לְ/אוֹבֵ֑ד
ʼâbad
H6
"to perish"
Prep | V-Qal
To perish means to be destroyed or lost, whether it's a person, animal, or thing, like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
Definition: 1) perish, vanish, go astray, be destroyed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) perish, die, be exterminated 1a2) perish, vanish (fig.) 1a3) be lost, strayed 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to destroy, kill, cause to perish, to give up (as lost), exterminate 1b2) to blot out, do away with, cause to vanish, (fig.) 1b3) cause to stray, lose 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to destroy, put to death 1c1a) of divine judgment 1c2) object name of kings (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (אֲבַד "to destroy" H0007)
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: break, destroy(-uction), [phrase] not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, [idiom] and surely, take, be undone, [idiom] utterly, be void of, have no way to flee. See also: Exodus 10:7; Psalms 112:10; Psalms 1:6.
וְ֝/יַיִן
yayin
H3196
"wine"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for wine, 'yayin', refers to fermented wine and its effects, including intoxication. It is often mentioned in the Bible in the context of banquets and feasts, such as in the book of Esther.
Definition: wine
Usage: Occurs in 134 OT verses. KJV: banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber). See also: Genesis 9:21; Proverbs 20:1; Psalms 60:5.
לְ/מָ֣רֵי
mar
H4751
"bitter"
Prep | Adj
Mar means bitter, describing something that tastes bad or is unpleasant. It can also describe emotional pain or discontent, like being angry or chafed.
Definition: adj 1) bitter, bitterness 1a) of water or food 1b) of harlot's end, end of wickedness, cry (fig.) 1c) of pain (subst) adv 2) bitterly
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] angry, bitter(-ly, -ness), chafed, discontented, [idiom] great, heavy. See also: Genesis 27:34; Psalms 64:4; Proverbs 5:4.
נָֽפֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
Study Notes — Proverbs 31:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 31:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 31:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 31:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 31:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 31:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 31:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 31:6
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 31:6
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 31:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 31:6
- Sermons on Proverbs 31:6
Context — The Sayings for King Lemuel
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, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Timothy 5:23 | Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments. |
| 2 | Psalms 104:15 | wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 1:10 | In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. |
| 4 | Job 3:20 | Why is light given to the miserable, and life to the bitter of soul, |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 30:6 | And David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of every man grieved for his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. |
| 6 | Job 29:13 | The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. |
| 7 | 2 Kings 4:27 | When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.” |
Proverbs 31:6 Summary
[This verse is talking about showing kindness and care to people who are really struggling, whether they are dying or just feeling deeply sad and upset. It's not saying that we should get drunk, but rather that in some situations, a small amount of strong drink might be given to help someone feel a little better, as we see in Psalm 104:14-15 where God gives wine to gladden the heart of man. The main idea is to show compassion and care for those who are hurting, just as God does, as we see in Matthew 25:31-46 where Jesus teaches us to care for the least of these.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to give strong drink to one who is perishing?
This verse is not promoting intoxication, but rather suggesting that in extreme circumstances, such as when someone is dying or in severe distress, a small amount of strong drink may be given to ease their suffering, as seen in Deuteronomy 14:26 where the Israelites were allowed to use their tithe to buy wine and strong drink to celebrate and rejoice before the Lord.
Is this verse condoning the use of alcohol?
While this verse does mention giving wine to the bitter in soul, it is essential to consider the context and the biblical warnings against excessive drinking, such as in Proverbs 20:1 and Ephesians 5:18, which caution against the dangers of intoxication.
How does this verse relate to caring for the poor and needy?
This verse is part of a larger passage that emphasizes the importance of caring for the vulnerable, such as the poor and the oppressed, as seen in Proverbs 31:8-9, where we are encouraged to speak up for those who have no voice and to defend the cause of the dispossessed, reflecting the heart of God as seen in Psalm 140:12 and Jeremiah 22:16.
What does it mean to be 'bitter in soul'?
To be bitter in soul refers to someone who is experiencing deep emotional pain, sorrow, or distress, as seen in Ruth 1:20-21, where Naomi expresses her bitterness and sorrow after losing her husband and sons, highlighting the need for compassion and care in such situations, as encouraged in Galatians 6:2 and Romans 12:15.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can show compassion and care to those who are struggling or in distress, just as this verse suggests?
- How can I balance the need to care for others with the biblical warnings against excessive drinking and intoxication?
- What does this verse reveal about God's heart for the vulnerable and the oppressed, and how can I reflect that in my own life?
- In what ways can I use my resources and abilities to bring comfort and relief to those who are perishing or bitter in soul, as this verse encourages?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 31:6
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,.... Thou, O Lemuel, and other kings and judges, rather than drink strong drink yourselves, least to excess; give it out of your great abundance and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 31:6
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and ... unto those ... of heavy hearts.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 31:6
Unto him; which is to be understood comparatively, to him rather than to kings, partly because he needs a liberal draught of it more than kings do; and principally because if it proceed to excess, in him it is only a private inconvenience, but in kings it is a public mischief and grievance. Ready to perish; sorely afflicted and overwhelmed with sorrow, as it is explained in the following words; for such need a cordial.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 31:6
Proverbs 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.Ver. 6. Give strong drink to him, &c.] To those that stand at the bar, rather than to them that sit on the bench. Wine maketh glad the heart of man. Plato calls wine and music the μαλακτικα - mitigators of men’ s miseries. Hence that laudable custom among the Jews at funerals to invite the friends of the deceased to a feast, and to give them the "cup of consolation." And hence that not so laudable of giving wine, mingled with myrrh, to crucified malefactors, to make them die with less sense. Christ did not like the custom so well, and therefore refused the potion. People should be most serious and sober when they are to die, since in death, as in war, non licet bis errare It is not permitted to error twice. - if a man miss at all, he misses for all and for ever. Vitellius therefore took a wrong course, who, looking for the messenger Death, made himself drunk to drown the fear of it. And wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.] Heb., Bitter of spirit, as was Naomi when she would needs be called "Marah"; as was Hannah when she pleaded that she had neither drank wine nor strong drink (though at that time she had need enough of it), but was "a woman of a sorrowful spirit"; as was David when his heart was leavened and soured with the greatness of his grief, and he was "pricked in his reins." This grief was right, because according to God - ηκατα Yεονλυπα, so was that bitter mourning, and Peter’ s weeping bitterly. These waters of Marah, that flow from the eyes of repentance, are turned into wine; they carry comfort in them; there is a clear shining after this rain.
Such April showers bring on May flowers. “ Deiecit ut reveler, premit ut solatia praestet: Enccat ut possit vivificare Deus.” Bacchus et afflictis requiem mortalibus affert. - Tibul. Vitellius trepidus, dein temulentus.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 31:6
(6) Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish.—For this is not waste, but an advantageous use of God’s gift. (Comp. St. Paul’s advice, 1 Timothy 5:23.) It was out of a merciful remembrance of this passage that the pious ladies of Jerusalem used to provide a medicated drink for criminals condemned to be crucified, in order to deaden their pain. This was offered to our Lord (Matthew 27:34), but He would not drink it, as He wished to keep His mind clear to the last, and was willing to drink to the dregs the “cup which His Father had given Him.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 31:6
Verse 6. Give 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 Clarke on Psalms 104:15.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 31:6
6. of heavy hearts] Better, with R.V. text and A.V. marg., bitter in soul. Comp. 1 Samuel 1:10, where the same Heb. expression is used.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 31:6
The true purpose of the power of wine over man’s mind and body, as a restorative and remedial agent. Compare the margin reference.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 31:6
6, 7. Give strong drink — That is, rather give it in suitable quantities to those who really need it, to support their fainting spirits under the influence of any trouble or calamity. The use prescribed here is a medicinal one.
Sermons on Proverbs 31:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Homily 19 on Ephesians by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the importance of walking wisely in a world filled with evil, emphasizing the need to understand the will of the Lord and to redeem the time. He highlig |
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The Damnation Army, Its Victims and Its Sponsors by George Kulp | George Kulp passionately preaches about the irreconcilable hostility between the Church and the saloon, emphasizing the need for Christians to take a stand against the liquor traff |
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Anti-Booze Efforts by Billy Sunday | Billy Sunday passionately preaches against alcohol, expressing his determination to combat the saloon culture that he believes leads to the destruction of lives and families. He em |
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Prohibition by Billy Sunday | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the negative effects of alcohol consumption on society. He highlights the new law passed by Congress, which imposes a two-dollar tax on whisk |
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Studies in 1 Timothy-05 1 Timothy-5 by William MacDonald | The sermon transcript discusses various instructions given by Paul to Timothy on how to behave towards different classes in the Christian family. It begins by addressing the old an |
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Integrity by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith focuses on the topic of integrity, as he teaches through the book of Proverbs. He emphasizes the value of knowledge and the importance of being c |
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Letters to Olympias - Part 1 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom addresses the deaconess Olympias, encouraging her to endure suffering with patience and faith. He reminds her of the trials faced by Job and Lazarus, emphasizing th |