Proverbs 31 · Verse 6

Proverbs 31:6

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Proverbs 31:6, King James Version

Proverbs 31:6 in other translations

BSBGive strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
WEBGive strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
ASVGive strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:
YLTGive strong drink to the perishing, And wine to the bitter in soul,
DARBYGive strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul:
BBEGive strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:
WebsterGive strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that are of heavy hearts.

What does Proverbs 31:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 31:3-9

3-9. 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 full comment on Proverbs 31:3-9 →

Adam Clarke's Commentary
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 note on Psa 104:15.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 31:1-9

When children are under the mother's eye, she has an opportunity of fashioning their minds aright. Those who are grown up, should often call to mind the good teaching they received when children. The many awful instances of promising characters who have been ruined by vile women, and love of wine, should warn every one to avoid these evils. Wine is to be used for want or medicine. Every creature of God is good, and…

Read the full comment on Proverbs 31:1-9 →

Proverbs 31:6 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.

תְּנוּ\־te.nu-giveH5414
שֵׁכָ֣רshe.Kharstrong drinkH7941
לְאוֹבֵ֑דle.'o.Vedto [one who] is perishingH6
וְ֝יַיִןVe.ya.yinand wineH3196
לְמָ֣רֵיle.Ma.reito [people] bitter ofH4751
נָֽפֶשׁ\׃Na.feshsoulH5315

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

Cross references for Proverbs 31:6

  • 1 Timothy 5:23

    Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.

  • Psalms 104:15

    And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.

  • 1 Samuel 1:10

    And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.

  • Job 3:20

    Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;

  • 2 Kings 4:27

    And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.

  • 1 Samuel 30:6

    And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

  • Job 29:13

    The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
strong.
Ps 104:15; 1Ti 5:23
of heavy hearts. Heb. bitter of soul.
1Sa 1:10; 30:6; 2Ki 4:27; *margins

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

Context

  • Proverbs 31:5

    Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

  • Proverbs 31:6

    Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

  • Proverbs 31:7

    Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

Read all of Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:6 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Dad la cerveza al desfallecido, y el vino á los de amargo ánimo:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Donnez de la boisson forte à celui qui va périr, et du vin à ceux qui ont l’amertume dans le cœur:
German
Elberfelder 1871		Gebet starkes Getränk dem Umkommenden, und Wein denen, die betrübter Seele sind:
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Date siceram mœrentibus, et vinum his qui amaro sunt animo.