Proverbs 31:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;

NIV: Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!

NASB: Give intoxicating drink to one who is perishing, And wine to one whose life is bitter.

CSB: Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter.

NLT: Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.

KJV: Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

NKJV: Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.

After warning kings and rulers against drinking (Proverbs 31:4–5), Lemuel's mother (Proverbs 31:1–2) notes a situation where alcohol's effects are more appropriate. Her earlier advice indicated that alcohol impairs one's senses. A king disabled by alcohol—or any addiction (Proverbs 31:3)—is bound to fail in his role. A more apt time for that sensation is when death is imminent. In this case, that means using drink as an anesthetic, to dull pain for those near death or in extreme agony. This suggestion also emphasizes how inappropriate such things are for kings and rulers. Leaders need their wits about them—so intoxicants should be avoided.

Commentators suggest pious women in Jerusalem had this very verse in mind when providing a medicated drink to criminals who were condemned to be crucified. The liquid was meant to reduce their pain. Matthew reports that when Jesus cried out from the cross, a bystander hurried and filled a sponge for Jesus to drink (Matthew 27:46–48). This may have been meant as a painkiller, though it was apparently offered mere moments before His death (John 19:28–30; Matthew 27:49–50). Lemuel's mother finds this use appropriate for those who want to be numbed to sorrow (Proverbs 31:7), but not for those who need to rule.

Proverbs 31:1–9 contains several teachings echoed previously in this book. The wisdom is related by King Lemuel, as told to him by his mother. This is not the first time a mother's teaching has been mentioned (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20; 30:17). The counsel is a good setup for the rest of the chapter, which is an acrostic poem celebrating the virtues of a wise, industrious, godly wife and mother.

This final chapter fits well with the rest of the book of Proverbs. It reiterates subjects found elsewhere in these lessons. Of note is that the entire chapter is connected to godly women. Topics include the importance of godly parenting, morality, righteous treatment of the needy, justice, and diligence. The first section are the words of King Lemuel's mother. The last is the famous depiction of an "excellent wife," exhibiting ideal traits of diligence, godliness, and competence. That description is arranged as acrostic poem: each verse begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Proverbs chapter 31 comes after a long list of Solomon's teachings (Proverbs 25—29) and the words of Agur (Proverbs 30). This final section is connected to two women: the mother of King Lemuel and the ideal of a godly, "excellent" wife. Themes found in this passage are reflected in other lessons from the book of Proverbs. Of note, commendable traits such as business savvy, strength, and wisdom are explicitly associated with women, despite being stereotypically considered masculine. The content after verse 10 is explicitly structured as a poem.

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.