Proverbs 23:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?

NIV: Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

NASB: Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has red eyes?

CSB: Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has conflicts? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes?

NLT: Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

KJV: Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

NKJV: Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?

Beginning with this verse, Solomon turns his attention to the sin of drunkenness. Verses 29 through 35 of this chapter are the Bible's most vivid description of the consequences of alcohol abuse. Wines, beers, and other "strong drink" were available in the ancient world (Deuteronomy 14:26; Numbers 6:3; Luke 1:15). Scripture does not give a blanket command for believers to avoid all alcohol consumption. However, the Bible makes it clear that alcohol is not to be used carelessly (Ephesians 5:18; Proverbs 20:1). It's also important to note that the modern world offers easier access to intoxicating drinks, with much greater potency, than was typical in biblical eras.

Many modern western cultures include the idea of "happy hour," where bars offer discounted drinks to increase business. Given what Solomon describes here, and how often modern people set aside sensible views of alcohol, that's a deeply misleading title. The next verse notes that those who drink to excess (Proverbs 23:30) are the ones subject to "woe…sorrow…strife…complaining…wounds…[and] redness of eyes." Alcohol is a significant factor in many accidents, acts of violence, life-altering mistakes, and addictions. Those who drink to excess put themselves—and others—in harm's way through those risks. All too often, the drink is blamed, rather than the drunkard taking full responsibility for their choice to consume.

Later verses will mention dangers such as hallucinations and uncontrolled speech (Proverbs 23:33), loss of physical control (Proverbs 23:34), loss of awareness and addiction (Proverbs 23:35).

Proverbs 23:26–35 contains a portion of thirty wise sayings endorsed by Solomon (Proverbs 22:17–21). In verse 26, he again pleads for his words to be heard. The warnings given here are more extensive than most others in this book. The first sounds an alarm about sexual temptation, comparing it to a trap or an ambush. The second goes to great lengths discouraging drunkenness, because of its effects and the danger of addiction.

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.