25:15 25:15

Proverbs 25:16

25:17 25:17

Bible Versions

¶ Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
Hast thou found {H4672} honey {H1706}? eat {H398} so much as is sufficient {H1767} for thee, lest thou be filled {H7646} therewith, and vomit {H6958} it.
If you find honey, eat only what you need; for if you eat too much of it, you may throw it up;
If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

Commentary on Proverbs 25:16

Proverbs 25:16 offers a pithy yet profound piece of wisdom, drawing a simple analogy from everyday life in ancient Israel to teach a timeless principle of moderation. It cautions against the dangers of excess, even when it comes to something inherently good and desirable like honey. The verse serves as a reminder that too much of a good thing can quickly become harmful or repulsive, leading to a loss of enjoyment and even disgust.

Context

This proverb is part of a collection in Proverbs chapters 25-29, specifically identified as "proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out." This indicates a continued valuing and preservation of Solomon's wisdom literature centuries after his reign. The book of Proverbs generally provides practical wisdom for living a godly and prosperous life, often using simple, relatable scenarios to illustrate deeper moral and spiritual truths. In a culture where honey was a highly prized natural sweetener and energy source, the imagery would have immediately resonated with the audience, symbolizing anything desirable or pleasurable.

Key Themes

  • Moderation and Self-Control: The core message is about knowing one's limits and exercising discipline. Just because something is available and pleasing doesn't mean it should be consumed without restraint. This principle extends beyond physical appetite to all areas of life, from material possessions to relationships and even information.
  • The Peril of Excess: The proverb starkly illustrates that going beyond what is "sufficient" leads to negative consequences. What began as a delightful experience quickly turns into nausea and rejection. This warns against greed, gluttony, and the pursuit of pleasure without boundaries, emphasizing that overindulgence spoils the good.
  • Appreciation vs. Disgust: The verse highlights how overindulgence can spoil the very thing one enjoys. A small amount of honey is sweet and beneficial, but an excessive amount leads to revulsion. This teaches us to appreciate good things in their proper measure, lest we grow weary of them or even come to despise them through misuse.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "honey" (דְּבַשׁ, devash) refers to natural honey, often found in rock crevices or trees, and was a staple food source, symbolizing sweetness, abundance, and delight. The phrase "eat so much as is sufficient for thee" emphasizes a personal, appropriate limit, not a universal standard, highlighting the need for individual discernment. The vivid imagery of "vomit it" (וַהֲקֵאתוֹ, vahake'to) leaves no ambiguity about the repulsive outcome of overindulgence, underscoring the severity of the warning.

Related Scriptures

This principle of moderation is echoed throughout Scripture, underscoring its timeless importance. For instance, the Apostle Paul admonishes believers to exercise self-control in all things, even those that are lawful, so as not to be brought under their power (1 Corinthians 6:12). Similarly, Proverbs 23:2 warns against gluttony at a ruler's table, reinforcing the need for discipline regarding food and appetite. The New Testament also speaks of letting your moderation be known unto all men (Philippians 4:5), applying this wisdom to all aspects of Christian conduct and relationships, including how one interacts with others.

Practical Application

Proverbs 25:16 holds immense practical value in contemporary life, encouraging a balanced approach to various aspects of our existence:

  • Material Possessions: While acquiring wealth or possessions can be good, an insatiable desire for more can lead to dissatisfaction, debt, and spiritual emptiness. The pursuit of more than what is "sufficient" often leads to a diminished quality of life rather than enhanced joy.
  • Pleasure and Entertainment: Enjoying leisure, food, or entertainment is healthy, but obsession or addiction to these can be destructive, turning a source of joy into a burden or even a vice. True enjoyment comes from balanced engagement, not endless consumption.
  • Relationships: Even in good relationships, overbearing or suffocating behavior can push others away, turning affection into annoyance. The principle of not overstaying one's welcome is also found in the very next verse, Proverbs 25:17, showing the immediate context of this wisdom.
  • Information and Knowledge: In the digital age, we have access to an abundance of information. While learning is vital, an excessive consumption of news, social media, or even academic pursuits without balance can lead to overload, anxiety, or neglect of other duties.

Ultimately, this proverb teaches the wisdom of contentment and the beauty of sufficiency. It reminds us that true enjoyment and lasting satisfaction come not from endless consumption, but from discerning what is enough and appreciating it fully, preserving the goodness of life's blessings.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Proverbs 25:27

    ¶ [It is] not good to eat much honey: so [for men] to search their own glory [is not] glory.

  • Ephesians 5:18

    And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

  • Proverbs 24:13

    ¶ My son, eat thou honey, because [it is] good; and the honeycomb, [which is] sweet to thy taste:

  • Proverbs 24:14

    So [shall] the knowledge of wisdom [be] unto thy soul: when thou hast found [it], then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

  • Luke 21:34

    And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.

  • Judges 14:8

    And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, [there was] a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.

  • Judges 14:9

    And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.
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