Proverbs 4:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

NIV: They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

NASB: For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.

CSB: They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.

NLT: They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence!

KJV: For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

NKJV: For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence.

Proverbs warns often against following the example of ungodly people. This passage has focused on that warning, that a wise person doesn't have anything to do with evil (Proverbs 4:14–15). The prior verse used exaggeration for effect by saying that "the evil" cannot sleep until they've corrupted someone. This is meant to emphasize the way sin is contagious. When others are sinning, it's easier for people to excuse their own depravity. At the same time, sin consumes a person's life, overpowering all other concerns. Along those same lines, Solomon symbolically compares the effects of sin to dependence on food. When wickedness defines one's life, they cannot get enough of it. There is a constant hunger and thirst for more.

Bread is a common symbol in the Bible, since it's a commonly-known, life-sustaining food. Jesus called Himself "the bread of life" (John 6:35). This was after He referred to manna: bread from heaven that God gave to the Israelites in the wilderness to keep them alive. Jesus explained that He had come down from heaven to give life to the world. He added, "Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" (John 6:35).

Like thirsty souls drinking water at an oasis, the wicked "drink violence." They fall into the same category as those who drink injustice like water and are an abomination to the Lord (Job 15:16). Just as bread and water are assimilated into the human body, so sin and violence become a part of the wicked person. They are what they eat!

Proverbs 4:10–19 contains both positive and negative counsel: ''do'' and ''do not'' statements. Solomon urges his son to choose the positive path of wisdom and avoid the negative ways of wickedness. Those caught in evil are portrayed as overcome, addicted, and desperate. Solomon concludes this section by comparing the path of the righteous to bright light and the way of the wicked to deep darkness.

Common for the first nine chapters of Proverbs, Solomon urges his sons—possibly also other students—to listen to his words. He recalls his early years, when he heard some of these words from his father, David. Wisdom is upheld as the most beneficial thing a person can acquire in life. It brings honor and safety. In contrast, the wicked are perpetual wrongdoers whose goal is to lead others astray. They live for wickedness and violence, and they stumble in the darkness. Solomon urges his sons not to deviate from the path of godly wisdom, either ''to the right or to the left.''

The first nine chapters of the book of Proverbs focus on extolling the value of godly wisdom. In this chapter King Solomon continues to pass along this message to his son. His advice to his sons—possibly also meaning his students—in chapter 4 is similar to what he says in Proverbs 1:8–9; 2:1–6; 3:1–2, 21–26; 5:1–2; 6:20–22; 7:1–3, 24; and 8:22–36. The words of this chapter are partly taken from advice Solomon recalls hearing from his own father, David.

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.