Proverbs 25:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

NIV: If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.

NASB: Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, So that you do not have it in excess and vomit it.

CSB: If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit.

NLT: Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!

KJV: Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

NKJV: Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

In the most literal sense, this verse warns about the danger of over-eating, which is an upset stomach. The meaning of this proverb is broader than just food, however. The general idea is like modern English expressions which warn about "too much of a good thing." In reasonable doses, many things can be enjoyed (1 Timothy 4:4), including many types of food, drink, and pleasure (Psalm 16:11; Deuteronomy 26:9; 1 Corinthians 10:30–33; Colossians 2:18). But even good things become harmful when they're overused, idolized, or turn into addictions (1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 John 2:15). Moderation is the key to appropriate enjoyment of those things God provides for our legitimate enjoyment.

In Old Testament times honey was valued as a deliciously sweet food. Like most sugar-rich substances, too much honey can cause nausea and vomiting. What applied to honey in the ancient world applies today to modern eating habits. Sweet foods are enjoyable for most people, but too much can lead to stomach distress. Wine was a common beverage in Bible times but overindulging in wine could lead to drunkenness. Therefore, Proverbs 20:1 warns: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise." The apostle Paul advised Timothy to drink just a little wine for his stomach's sake and for his frequent ailments (1 Timothy 5:23). There, again, moderation is the key to properly enjoying God's creation.

This proverb stands on its own as a call for moderation. Yet it also helps set up the next lesson, which warns against abusing another person's hospitality (Proverbs 25:17).

Chapter 25 begins to relate more wise statements from Solomon. Depending on where they are divided or combined, these amount to around one hundred portions of godly wisdom. These were compiled and added about 250 years after Solomon's reign by men under the direction of King Hezekiah. The phrasing used in verse 1 suggests these were copied from other records into the scrolls associated with the prior proverbs. This collection runs through the end of chapter 29.

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.