What does Proverbs 31:5 mean?

Lemuel's mother (Proverbs 31:1–2) explains a risks connected to leaders abusing alcohol. The drink may dull their minds, causing them confusion. Other Scriptures warn about terrible results which come when drink interferes with good judgment (Genesis 9:20–23; 19:30–36; 1 Kings 16:8–10). Proverbs indicates that righteous leaders care for the weak and disadvantaged (Proverbs 21:13; 29:7, 14). Proverbs 18:5 explains, "It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice." A ruler distracted by addiction is likely to bring more harm than good.

Isaiah 5:22–23 condemns those who allow substances, such as alcohol, to pervert their sense of justice. They are described as "heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right." Isaiah 28:7 condemns the priest and prophet who drink to excess: "These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by wine, they stagger with strong drink, they reel in vision, they stumble in giving judgment."

The Bible does not condemn all alcohol, but it strongly warns against becoming drunk (Ephesians 5:18). Lemuel's mother seems to suggest that intoxicating drinks are unsuitable for a king, at all (Proverbs 31:4).