Proverbs 23:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.

NIV: You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.

NASB: And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea, Or like one who lies down on the top of a mast.

CSB: You’ll be like someone sleeping out at sea or lying down on the top of a ship’s mast.

NLT: You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast.

KJV: Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.

NKJV: Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:

Solomon gives further warnings about drunkenness (Proverbs 23:29–33). This statement is part of an extensive description of the dangers of becoming intoxicated. Among those are health symptoms, as well as the serious risk of acting without self-control. A drunk person loses inhibitions, judgment, coordination, and is prone to confusion and numbness. Those make it possible for them to act in ways they never would have considered while sober.

Here, the imagery suggests two different ideas. One echoes the prior warnings about danger; a person who "lies down in the midst of the sea" is likely to drown. A person who becomes drunk is putting themselves at the mercy of their surroundings, which can be deadly. In a more literal sense, the drunkard staggers and struggles to control their body. The person at the top of a mast experiences the same waves as those on the ship's deck, but greatly amplified.

One might hope if a drunk could see his condition, he would abstain from abusing alcohol again. Yet alcohol is also addictive. As the next verse notes, those who are prone to excess drinking often choose to escape back into intoxication, rather than face the consequences of their choices (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.