Proverbs 23:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite.

NIV: and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.

NASB: And put a knife to your throat If you are a person of great appetite.

CSB: and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite;

NLT: If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat;

KJV: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

NKJV: And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite.

This verse uses the technique of "hyperbole:" exaggeration for effect (Matthew 5:30). Just as people in modern English might say, "I've told you a million times," those phrases are understood to be poetic, not literal. In this case, Solomon is advising a student about the need for self-control when one is hosted by a ruler or other powerful person. Rather than give in to greed and overeat, he should be polite. That's important enough that, symbolically, it's better to put the knife to one's own throat, rather than to the food, if that's what it takes to not appear greedy.

In context, Solomon is speaking about the impression one gives to a host, especially someone in a position of authority. The general idea also extends to greed and gluttony, in general. Gluttony is one of many sins which stem from the cravings of our fallen human nature. Like all other lusts, gluttony must be put aside. Paul writes, "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions" (Romans 6:12). Fortunately, the believer does not have to give in to the passions of the sin nature. Paul explains in verses 3 and 4 that believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection and therefore can "walk in newness of life." In Romans 8:4 believers are described as those "who walk not according to the flesh [the sin nature] but according to the Spirit." Knowing how the sin nature fulfills its evil desires through the deeds of the body, Paul practiced a strict discipline. He writes in 1 Corinthians 9:27: "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

Proverbs 23:1–11 continues a set of wise sayings recorded by Solomon (Proverbs 22:17–21). This passage contains many wise sayings framed mainly as negative commands: beginning with the words, "Do not." These statements are longer than the succinct suggestions which make up most of the book of Proverbs. Solomon addresses matters such as cautious skepticism towards one's host, avoiding addiction to work, and integrity before both men and God.

This portion of wise sayings (Proverbs 22:17–21) starts with the sixth of thirty mentioned in chapter 22. These include advice on presenting oneself well to a host, while not being unduly influenced by such hospitality. The passage also speaks on the right time to share wisdom, ethics, discipline, and the joys associated with godly children. Also included are warnings about relationships and those who lack self-control. The chapter ends with the Bible's most strident warning about the dangers of alcohol abuse; this is the eighteenth of the thirty promised teachings.

This chapter continues Solomon's collection of the sayings of wise men (Proverbs 22:17–21). These lessons continue through Proverbs 24:34. Here, Solomon addresses his "son," perhaps meaning a student, with warnings about money, gluttony, speaking in the company of a fool, dishonesty, withholding discipline from a child, keeping company with drunkards, and the abuse of alcohol. The description of alcohol's risks is the most extensive such caution given in Scripture.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.