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Commentary on Proverbs 23 verses 29–35
Solomon here gives fair warning against the sin of drunkenness, to confirm what he had said, Pro 23:20.
I. He cautions all people to keep out of the way of temptations to this sin (Pro 23:31): Look not thou upon the wine when it is red. Red wine was in Canaan looked upon as the best wine, it is therefore called the blood of the grape. Critics judge of wine, among other indications, by the colour of it; some wine, they say, looks charmingly, looks so well that it even says, "Come and drink me;" it moves itself aright, goes down very smoothly, or perhaps the roughness of it is grateful. It is said of generous strong-bodied wine that it even causes the lips of those that are asleep to speak, Sol 7:9. But look not thou upon it. 1. "Be not ruled by sense, but by reason and religion. Covet not that which pleases the eye, in hopes that it will please the taste; but let thy serious thoughts correct the errors of thy senses and convince thee that that which seems delightful is really hurtful, and resolve against it accordingly. Let not the heart walk after the eye, for it is a deceitful guide." 2. "Be not too bold with the charms of this or any other sin; look not, lest thou lust, lest thou take the forbidden fruit." Note Those that would be kept from any sin must keep themselves from all the occasions and beginnings of it, and be afraid of coming within the reach of its allurements, lest they be overcome by them.
II. He shows the many pernicious consequences of the sin of drunkenness, for the enforcement of this caution. Take heed of the bait, for fear of the hook: At the last it bites, Pro 23:32. All sin will be bitterness in the end, and this sin particularly. It bites like a serpent, when the drunkard is made sick by his surfeit, thrown by it into a dropsy or some fatal disease, beggared and ruined in his estate, especially when his conscience is awakened and he cannot reflect upon it without horror and indignation at himself, but worst of all, at last, when the cup of drunkenness shall be turned into a cup of trembling, the cup of the Lord's wrath, the dregs of which he must be for ever drinking, and shall not have a drop of water to cool his inflamed tongue. To take off the force of the temptation that there is in the pleasure of the sin, foresee the punishment of it, and what it will at last end in if repentance prevent not. In its latter end it bites (so the word is); think therefore what will be in the end thereof. But the inspired writer chooses to specify those pernicious consequences of this sin which are present and sensible.
1.It embroils men in quarrels, makes them quarrel with others, and say and do that which gives others occasion to quarrel with them, Pro 23:29. He asks, Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who has not, in this world? Many have woe and sorrow, and cannot help it; but drunkards wilfully create woe and sorrow to themselves. Those that have contentions have woe and sorrow; and drunkards are the fools whose lips enter into contention. When the wine is in the wit is out and the passions are up; and thence come drunken scuffles, and drunken frays, and drunken disputes over the cups; many a vexatious ruining law-suit has begun thus. There is babbling, quarrels in word and the exchanging of scurrilous language; yet it rests not there: you shall have wounds without cause, for causes are things which drunkards are in no capacity to judge of, and therefore they deal blows about without the least consideration why or wherefore, and must expect to be in like manner treated themselves. The wounds which men receive in defence of their country and its just rights are their honour; but wounds without cause, received in the service of their lusts, are marks of their infamy. Nay, drunkards wound themselves in a tender part, for they have redness of eyes, symptoms of an inward inflammation; their sight is weakened by it, and their looks are deformed. This comes, (1.) Of drinking long, tarrying long at the wine, and spending that time in drunken company which should be spent in useful business, or in sleep, which should fit for business, Pro 23:30. O the precious hours which thousands throw away thus, every one of which will be brought into the account at the great day! (2.) Of drinking that which is strong and intoxicating. They go up and down to seek wine that will please them; their great enquiry is, "Where is the best liquor?" They seek mixed wine, which is most palatable, but most heady, so willingly do they sacrifice their reason to please their palate!
2.It makes men impure and insolent, Pro 23:33. (1.) The eyes grow unruly and behold strange women to lust after them, and so let in adultery into the heart. Est Venus in vinis - Wine is oil to the fire of lust. Thy eyes shall behold strange things (so some read it); when men are drunk the house turns round with them, and every thing looks strange to them, so that them they cannot trust their own eyes. (2.) The tongue also grows unruly and talks extravagantly; by it the heart utters perverse things, things contrary to reason, religion, and common civility, which they would be ashamed to speak if they were sober. What ridiculous incoherent nonsense men will talk when they are drunk who at another time will speak admirably well and to the purpose!
3.It stupefies and besots men, Pro 23:34. When men are drunk they know not where they are nor what they say and do. (1.) Their heads are giddy, and when they lie down to sleep they are as if they were tossed by the rolling waves of the sea, or upon the top of a mast; hence they complain that their heads swim; their sleep is commonly unquiet and not refreshing, and their dreams are tumultuous. (2.) Their judgments are clouded, and they have no more steadiness and consistency than he that sleeps upon the top of a mast: they drink and forget the law (Pro 31:5): they err through wine (Isa 28:7), and think as extravagantly as they talk. (3.) They are heedless and fearless of danger, and senseless of the rebukes they are under either from God or man. They are in imminent danger of death, of damnation, lie as much exposed as if they slept upon the top of a mast, and yet are secure and sleep on. They fear no peril when the terrors of the Lord are laid before them; nay, they feel no pain when the judgments of God are actually upon them; they cry not when he binds them. Set a drunkard in the stocks, and he is not sensible of the punishment. "They have stricken me, and I was not sick; I felt it not: it made no impression at all upon me." Drunkenness turns me into stocks and stones; they are scarcely to be reckoned animals; they are dead while they live.
4.Worst of all, the heart is hardened in the sin, and the sinner, notwithstanding all these present mischiefs that attend it, obstinately persist in it, and hates to be reformed: When shall I awake? Much ado he has to shake off the chains of his drunken sleep; he can hardly get clear of the fumes of the wine, though he strives with them, that (being thirsty in the morning) he may return to it again. So perfectly lost is he to all sense of virtue and honour, and so wretchedly is his conscience seared, that he is not ashamed to say, I will seek it yet again. There is no hope; no, they have loved drunkards, and after them they will go, Jer 2:25. This is adding drunkenness to thirst, and following strong drink; those that do so may read their doom Deu 29:19, Deu 29:20, their woe Isa 5:11, and, if this be the end of the sin, with good reason were we directed to stop at the beginning of it: Look not upon the wine when it is red.
A mind sleeps with no care to worry it, and [it] is beaten and feels no pain when it does not foresee impending evils and so, too, is unaware of those it has committed. It is drawn … yet without feeling it. It is attracted by the allurements of vices, and yet [it] does not arouse itself to its selfdefense. But at the same time it wishes to be awake in order to find wine, that is, though it is so weighed down in its languid sleep as not to keep watch over itself, nevertheless, it still tries to be awake to the cares of the world, so as ever to inebriate itself with pleasures. And when it is asleep to that whereto it should be vigilantly awake, it wishes to be awake to something else, in regard to which it might have been laudably asleep. .
The soul that sleeps with no worries is beaten and feels no pain. Since it does not foresee impending evils, so neither is it aware of those which it has perpetrated. It is drawn without feeling because it is led by the allurements of vices, and yet it is not roused to keep guard over itself. But at the same time it wishes to awake in order to again find wine, because, although weighed down by the sleep of its inactivity in keeping guard over itself, it still strives to be awake to the cares of the world, that it may always be drunk with pleasures. And, while it is asleep to that which it ought to have been wisely awake, it desires to be awake to something else, to which it might laudably have been asleep.
And you will say, They struck me, but I was not hurt, etc. The voice of one beaten and sleeping is expressed. The mind, indeed, sleeping from the care of diligence, is struck and does not hurt, because just as it does not foresee impending evils, so it also does not recognize what it has committed. It is dragged and does not feel, because it is led by the allurements of vices, and yet does not awaken to its own guard. It indeed wishes to wake up, to find wines again, because although it is pressed from its own guard by the sleep of stupefaction, it nevertheless strives to wake up to the cares of the world, so that it is always intoxicated with pleasures. And while it sleeps for that in which it should have vigilantly watched, it seeks to watch for that for which it could have laudably slept.
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SUMMARY
Proverbs 23:35 offers a chilling and poignant depiction of an individual utterly consumed by the destructive power of intoxication. The verse portrays a person who has endured severe physical violence, yet remains profoundly oblivious to their injuries and pain, demonstrating a complete detachment from reality. Far from seeking recovery or repentance, their sole desire upon regaining a fleeting consciousness is to return to the very source of their degradation, powerfully illustrating the enslaving grip of addiction and the tragic, self-perpetuating cycle of destructive behavior.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Proverbs 23:35 serves as the stark, climactic conclusion to an extended and vivid warning against the perils of excessive wine consumption, initiated in Proverbs 23:29. The preceding verses meticulously catalog the physical, emotional, and social calamities that befall the drunkard, including "woe, sorrow, strife, complaints, needless bruises, and bloodshot eyes" (Proverbs 23:29). The passage then employs powerful imagery, likening wine's deceptive allure to the serpent's bite and the adder's venom (Proverbs 23:31-32). The immediate context in Proverbs 23:33-34 details the drunkard's distorted perceptions, slurred speech, and precarious instability, setting the stage for the ultimate state of oblivion and renewed craving depicted in this verse. This entire section stands in stark opposition to the wisdom, discernment, and self-control consistently advocated throughout the book of Proverbs.
Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israel, wine was a common staple, often diluted, and its moderate consumption was culturally accepted and even celebrated (e.g., Psalm 104:15). However, the Old Testament consistently and vehemently condemns drunkenness, associating it with foolishness, poverty, moral decay, and a departure from God's wisdom (e.g., Proverbs 20:1, Isaiah 5:11-12). The graphic imagery of being "stricken" and "beaten" would have resonated strongly in a society where physical altercations, often exacerbated by intoxication, were not uncommon. Such public displays of drunkenness and its consequences would have brought immense shame and dishonor upon the individual and their family, directly contradicting the societal values of self-mastery and honor. The scene likely unfolds in a public setting, perhaps a tavern, where the drunkard's loss of control leads to external harm, yet their internal state is one of profound, self-induced detachment.
Key Themes: Proverbs 23:35 powerfully illuminates several core themes within the book of Proverbs and the broader biblical wisdom tradition. Foremost, it underscores the deceptive and destructive nature of sin, particularly the sin of gluttony and drunkenness. It vividly illustrates how sin, initially alluring, inevitably leads to a profound loss of self-awareness, dignity, and control, culminating in a state of spiritual and physical stupor. This verse profoundly highlights the theme of addiction and enslavement, demonstrating how a destructive habit can override reason, self-preservation, and even the recognition of physical harm. The drunkard's immediate and chilling desire to "seek it yet again" after suffering severe consequences powerfully depicts the relentless grip of spiritual bondage, a concept echoed throughout Scripture, particularly in the New Testament's warnings against being a "slave to sin" (Romans 6:16). Furthermore, the verse implicitly emphasizes the critical importance of discernment, self-control, and wisdom, virtues repeatedly championed in Proverbs as foundational for a flourishing life and righteous conduct. The drunkard's inability to "feel" or "awake" serves as a stark warning against anything that dulls one's spiritual senses or impairs sound judgment, hindering the pursuit of divine wisdom and righteousness.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Proverbs 23:35 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its sobering message. The entire verse functions as a dramatic monologue or soliloquy, giving voice to the drunkard's confused, self-deceptive, and ultimately tragic thoughts. This narrative choice makes the warning more immediate, personal, and emotionally impactful for the reader. The use of parallelism in the first two clauses ("They have stricken me... I was not sick; they have beaten me... I felt it not") emphasizes the profound insensitivity and lack of awareness, reinforcing the same tragic reality through slightly varied phrasing. The rhetorical question "When shall I awake?" is not a genuine inquiry but a lament of impatience, highlighting the temporary nature of their stupor without any true desire for change or escape from the destructive cycle. Finally, the concluding statement, "I will seek it yet again," is a profound example of irony and pathos. It is deeply ironic that after such suffering, the only desire is for more of the very cause of that suffering. This evokes pathos, or pity, for the individual trapped in such a destructive cycle, seemingly devoid of reason, self-preservation, or hope for true freedom.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 23:35 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of sin and its enslaving power. It vividly reveals how sin, particularly when indulged to excess, dulls the conscience, distorts perception, and ultimately binds the individual in a self-destructive cycle. The drunkard's inability to "feel" or "know" the harm inflicted upon them serves as a potent spiritual metaphor for the hardening effect of sin on the human heart, rendering one insensitive to divine warnings, the destructive consequences of their actions, and even their own spiritual peril. The chilling resolve to "seek it yet again" underscores the biblical truth that habitual sin leads to spiritual bondage, where the will becomes so corrupted that it actively desires the very thing that destroys it. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for repentance and deliverance from the dominion of sin, emphasizing that true freedom comes only through a radical change of heart and submission to God's wisdom, which alone can break the cycle of self-destruction.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 23:35 transcends its immediate context of alcohol to serve as a timeless and piercing mirror reflecting the human condition when enslaved by any destructive habit or unrepentant sin. It challenges us to engage in radical self-examination: Are there areas in our lives where we are being "stricken" or "beaten" by the natural consequences of our choices, yet remain oblivious, in denial, or, worse, resolved to continue the destructive pattern? This verse implores us to confront our dependencies, whether they manifest as substances, behaviors, unhealthy thought patterns, or even relational dynamics that diminish us. It prompts us to honestly ask if we are truly "awake" to the spiritual, emotional, and physical harm we may be inflicting upon ourselves or allowing others to inflict, or if we are living in a state of self-imposed stupor, spiritually insensitive to God's voice and the warnings of His Word. The ultimate application is a profound call to self-awareness, genuine repentance, and a conscious, decisive turning away from anything that dulls our spiritual senses or binds our will, embracing instead the clarity, freedom, and flourishing life that come from living in humble submission to God's transformative wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the primary message of Proverbs 23:35?
Answer: The primary message of Proverbs 23:35 is a stark warning about the profound insensitivity, self-deception, and enslaving power of addiction, particularly to alcohol. It vividly illustrates how excessive indulgence leads to a state where one is oblivious to physical and spiritual harm and, even after suffering, remains determined to continue the destructive behavior. It highlights the dangerous cycle of sin and the loss of rational judgment and self-preservation.
Does this verse only apply to alcohol consumption?
Answer: While the immediate literary context of Proverbs 23:29-35 specifically addresses the dangers of wine, the profound spiritual and psychological principles illustrated in Proverbs 23:35 are broadly applicable to any form of destructive addiction or habitual sin. The dynamics portrayed—loss of awareness, denial of harm, and the compulsive desire to repeat the behavior—are universal characteristics of bondage to sin, whether it's gluttony, gambling, pornography, uncontrolled anger, or any other destructive pattern that dulls one's senses and enslaves the will. The verse serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual stupor that can result from any unrepentant sin.
What does "When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again" reveal about addiction?
Answer: This phrase profoundly reveals the irrational and compulsive nature of addiction. "When shall I awake?" indicates a temporary, unwelcome interruption to the intoxicated state, not a desire for true sobriety or genuine change. The immediate follow-up, "I will seek it yet again," demonstrates that even the experience of physical pain, humiliation, or severe consequences does not break the cycle. Instead, the craving for the substance or behavior overrides all reason, self-preservation, and memory of suffering. It illustrates the deep spiritual and psychological bondage where the will is enslaved, actively desiring the very thing that causes its destruction, highlighting the desperate need for external intervention or divine grace to break free.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 23:35, with its chilling portrayal of a drunkard enslaved by stupor and destructive desire, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the redemptive work of Jesus. The verse vividly illustrates humanity's fallen state: "stricken" and "beaten" by sin's pervasive consequences, yet often "not sick" or "not feeling" the true spiritual malady, remaining oblivious to our desperate need for salvation. Like the drunkard, humanity, apart from Christ, is caught in a cycle of seeking "it yet again"—the fleeting pleasures and false comforts of sin—even when they lead to spiritual death and alienation from God. This profound spiritual insensitivity and bondage are precisely what Jesus came to address. He is the one who "awakes" us from our spiritual slumber, as Paul urges believers to "awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you" (Ephesians 5:14). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ breaks the chains of sin's addiction, offering true freedom from the dominion of destructive desires (Romans 6:6-7). He doesn't just numb the pain; He heals the wound of sin and transforms the corrupted will, enabling us to "put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires" and to "put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24). The drunkard's lament, "When shall I awake?", finds its ultimate answer in the Gospel, where Christ offers not just temporary awakening, but eternal life and a renewed mind, empowering us to truly "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).