Proverbs 23 · Verse 20

Proverbs 23:20

Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
Proverbs 23:20, King James Version

Proverbs 23:20 in other translations

BSBDo not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat.
WEBDon’t be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat;
ASVBe not among winebibbers, Among gluttonous eaters of flesh:
YLTBe not thou among quaffers of wine, Among gluttonous ones of flesh,
DARBYBe not among winebibbers, among riotous eaters of flesh.
BBEDo not be among those who give themselves to wine-drinking, or among those who make themselves full with meat:
WebsterBe not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

What does Proverbs 23:20 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 23:19-21

19-21. guide ... way--or direct thy thoughts to a right course of conduct (compare Pr 4:4; 9:6).

Read the full comment on Proverbs 23:19-21 →

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 20 Be not among winebibbers - There is much of this chapter spent in giving directions concerning eating, drinking, and entertainments in general. 1. he pupil is directed relative to the manner in which he is to conduct himself in his visits to the tables of the rich and great. 2. Relative to the covetous and his intercourse with them. And 3. To public entertainnlents, where there were generally riot and debauch. The reasons, says Calmet, which induced the wise man to give these directions were, 1. The useless expense. 2. The loss of time. 3. The danger from bad company. And 4. The danger of contracting irregular habits, and of being induced to lead a voluptuous and effeminate life.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 23:19-28

The gracious Saviour who purchased pardon and peace for his people, with all the affection of a tender parent, counsels us to hear and be wise, and is ready to guide our hearts in his way. Here we have an earnest call to young people, to attend to the advice of their godly parents. If the heart be guided, the steps will be guided. Buy the truth, and sell it not; be willing to part with any thing for it. Do not part…

Read the full comment on Proverbs 23:19-28 →

Proverbs 23:20 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

אַל\־'al-may notH408
תְּהִ֥יte.Hiyou beH1961
בְסֹֽבְאֵי\־ve.soe.'ei-among drunkards ofH5433
יָ֑יִןYa.yinwineH3196
בְּזֹלֲלֵ֖יbe.zo.la.Leiamong gluttons ofH2151
בָשָׂ֣רva.SarmeatH1320
לָֽמוֹ\׃la.mo<for> themselves

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 23:20

  • Luke 21:34

    And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

  • Ephesians 5:18

    And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

  • Isaiah 5:22

    Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

  • Romans 13:13

    Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

  • Isaiah 5:11

    Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

  • Matthew 24:49

    And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

  • Isaiah 22:13

    And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

  • Luke 15:13

    And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

  • 1 Peter 4:3-4

    For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

  • Proverbs 28:7

    Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

  • Proverbs 20:1

    Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

  • Luke 16:19

    There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
not.
29-35; 20:1; 28:7; 31:6,7; Isa 5:11,22; 22:13; Mt 24:49; Lu 15:13
Lu 16:19; 21:34; Ro 13:13; Eph 5:18; 1Pe 4:3,4
flesh. Heb. their flesh.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 23:19

    Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.

  • Proverbs 23:20

    Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:

  • Proverbs 23:21

    For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

Read all of Proverbs 23

Proverbs 23:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		No estés con los bebedores de vino, ni con los comedores de carne:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Ne sois pas parmi les buveurs de vin, ni parmi les gourmands;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Sei nicht unter Weinsäufern, noch unter denen, die Fleisch verprassen;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Noli esse in conviviis potatorum, nec in comessationibus eorum qui carnes ad vescendum conferunt: