King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
They have stricken me, [shalt thou say, and] I was not sick; they have beaten me, [and] I felt [it] not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"They hit me, but I didn't feel it! They beat me up, and I didn't even know it! When will I wake up? . . . I'll go get another drink."
Berean Standard Bible:
“They struck me, but I feel no pain! They beat me, but I did not know it! When can I wake up to search for another drink?”
American Standard Version:
They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not hurt; They have beaten me, and I felt it not: When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
They have stricken{H5221} me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick{H2470}; they have beaten{H1986} me, and I felt{H3045} it not: when shall I awake{H6974}? I will seek{H1245} it yet{H3254} again.
Cross-References (KJV):
Jeremiah 5:3
- O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, [but] they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.
Isaiah 56:12
- Come ye, [say they], I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, [and] much more abundant.
Proverbs 27:22
- ¶ Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, [yet] will not his foolishness depart from him.
Proverbs 26:11
- ¶ As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.
1 Corinthians 15:32
- If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
1 Corinthians 15:34
- Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your shame.
Ephesians 4:19
- Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Proverbs 23:35
Proverbs 23:35 is part of a larger section in the book of Proverbs that warns against the dangers of drunkenness and the seductive allure of wine. The verse itself uses metaphorical language to describe the effects of alcohol. The speaker, perhaps representing a person under the influence, talks about being struck and beaten without feeling it—a vivid illustration of how intoxication can numb one's senses and perception of pain. The question "when shall I awake?" suggests a state of stupor or unconsciousness, akin to being asleep, from which the speaker desires to emerge. The concluding phrase "I will seek it yet again" points to the cycle of addiction, where despite the negative consequences, there is a compulsion to return to the source of the trouble—in this case, alcohol.
The historical context of this verse is set within the broader wisdom tradition of the ancient Near East, where the book of Proverbs was compiled. This collection of sayings and teachings was designed to instruct young men, particularly those being groomed for leadership, in the ways of wisdom, virtue, and practical living. Wine was a common part of life in this region, often associated with festivities and celebrations, but it was also recognized for its potential to lead individuals into folly and ruin if not consumed in moderation.
In summary, Proverbs 23:35 addresses the theme of alcohol abuse, highlighting its ability to dull the senses and lead to a cycle of harmful behavior. It reflects the ancient understanding of the risks associated with strong drink and serves as a cautionary admonition to consider the consequences of overindulgence and to pursue a life of moderation and self-control.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5221
There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָכָה
Transliteration: nâkâh
Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
Description: a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. - Strong's Number: H2470
There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָלָה
Transliteration: châlâh
Pronunciation: khaw-law'
Description: a primitive root (compare חוּל, חָלָה, חָלַל); properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or (causatively) to grieve, make sick; also to stroke (in flattering), entreat; beseech, (be) diseased, (put to) grief, be grieved, (be) grievous, infirmity, intreat, lay to, put to pain, [idiom] pray, make prayer, be (fall, make) sick, sore, be sorry, make suit ([idiom] supplication), woman in travail, be (become) weak, be wounded. - Strong's Number: H1986
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָלַם
Transliteration: hâlam
Pronunciation: haw-lam'
Description: a primitive root; to strike down; by implication, to hammer, stamp, conquer, disband; beat (down), break (down), overcome, smite (with the hammer). - Strong's Number: H3045
There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָדַע
Transliteration: yâdaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. - Strong's Number: H6974
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוּץ
Transliteration: qûwts
Pronunciation: koots
Description: a primitive root (identical with through the idea of abruptness in starting up from sleep (compare יָקַץ)); to awake (literally or figuratively); arise, (be) (a-) wake, watch. - Strong's Number: H1245
There are 215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּקַשׁ
Transliteration: bâqash
Pronunciation: baw-kash'
Description: a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). - Strong's Number: H3254
There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָסַף
Transliteration: yâçaph
Pronunciation: yaw-saf'
Description: a primitive root; to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing); add, [idiom] again, [idiom] any more, [idiom] cease, [idiom] come more, [phrase] conceive again, continue, exceed, [idiom] further, [idiom] gather together, get more, give more-over, [idiom] henceforth, increase (more and more), join, [idiom] longer (bring, do, make, much, put), [idiom] (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed (further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, [idiom] yet, yield.