Proverbs 9:5

KJV

Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine [which] I have mingled.

KJV (with Strong's)

Come {H3212}, eat {H3898} of my bread {H3899}, and drink {H8354} of the wine {H3196} which I have mingled {H4537}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Come and eat my food! Drink the wine I have mixed!

Berean Standard Bible

“Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.

American Standard Version

Come, eat ye of my bread, And drink of the wine which I have mingled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 9:5 encapsulates Lady Wisdom's profound and gracious invitation, extended to all who are simple or lack understanding, to partake in the lavish feast she has meticulously prepared. This verse serves as the direct articulation of her call, urging individuals to receive the deep spiritual and intellectual nourishment she offers, symbolized by life-sustaining bread and carefully prepared wine. It stands as a pivotal moment in the chapter's vivid portrayal of the stark contrast between the life-giving path of wisdom and the destructive way of folly.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 9 opens with a magnificent personification of Lady Wisdom, who is depicted as having constructed her house upon seven pillars and prepared a sumptuous banquet. Verses 1-4 detail her industriousness and the dispatch of her maidens to issue a public, far-reaching invitation from the highest vantage points of the city. Proverbs 9:5 is the direct, personal, and urgent articulation of this invitation, specifically addressed to "the simple" and "those who lack understanding" (Proverbs 9:4) to come and partake. This compelling invitation serves as the immediate prelude to the stark contrast presented later in the chapter, where Lady Folly issues her own deceptive and ultimately destructive invitation in [Proverbs 9:13-18](/proverbs/9-13-18 "Proverbs 9:13-18 - Lady Folly's Deceptive Invitation"). The chapter thus masterfully frames a fundamental choice between two distinct paths, two contrasting hosts, and two divergent destinies, with Lady Wisdom's call at its heart.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a feast or banquet held profound significance in ancient Near Eastern cultures, serving as a powerful motif for hospitality, communal fellowship, abundant provision, and frequently, the establishment or affirmation of a covenantal relationship. To receive an invitation to someone's table was considered a high honor, signifying intimate welcome and inclusion. The preparation of bread and wine, staples of the ancient diet, would have been universally understood as providing essential sustenance and vital refreshment. Wine, commonly mingled with water or spices, was a pervasive beverage, and its careful preparation for a feast indicated thoughtful provision and a desire to offer the very best. This deeply embedded cultural understanding amplifies the immense generosity and intentionality of Lady Wisdom's invitation, portraying her as a benevolent hostess offering not merely physical sustenance, but life itself, within a communal and deeply personal setting.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several foundational themes within the book of Proverbs and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the **Gracious Invitation of Wisdom**, highlighting that wisdom is not a passive concept to be sought out, but an active, personified entity that proactively extends an open, generous call to all, particularly those most in need of guidance and understanding. Secondly, the "bread" and "wine" serve as potent symbols of **Spiritual Nourishment and Sustenance**, portraying wisdom as absolutely essential for true life, profound understanding, and inner peace, much as physical food sustains the body. This resonates deeply with the biblical idea of God's Word as spiritual food, a theme found throughout Scripture, such as in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by Every Word of God"). Thirdly, the phrase "which I have mingled" points to the theme of **Prepared Abundance and Divine Provision**, indicating that wisdom's offerings are not haphazard or incomplete but thoughtfully prepared, perfectly ordered, and exquisitely suited to benefit those who receive them. This stands in stark contrast to the fleeting, ill-gotten, and ultimately unsatisfying pleasures offered by folly in [Proverbs 9:17](/proverbs/9-17 "Proverbs 9:17 - Lady Folly's Deceptive Offerings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Come (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** From H3212, a primitive root meaning "to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)." Here, it functions as an imperative, an urgent and direct command to "go" or "come." It implies an active, deliberate response is required from the invited, a conscious turning towards Wisdom. This is not a passive reception but an intentional engagement and movement.
* **bread (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** From H3899, meaning "food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)." As the staple of life in the ancient world, _lechem_ represents essential sustenance—that which nourishes, preserves, and sustains life. In this context, it symbolizes the fundamental, life-sustaining truths, principles, and understanding that Wisdom bountifully provides.
* **mingled (Hebrew, _mâçak'_):** From H4537, a primitive root meaning "to mix, especially wine (with spices)." In the ancient world, wine was frequently mixed with water or spices to enhance its flavor, reduce its potency for prolonged feasts, or to add aromatic qualities. The act of mingling implies careful preparation, intentionality, and a desire to present something of superior quality and maximum benefit. It suggests that Wisdom's offerings are not raw or unrefined, but perfectly prepared for consumption, making them both pleasant and profoundly effective.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Come, eat of my bread":** This clause presents a direct, urgent, and deeply personal invitation from Lady Wisdom. The imperative "Come" demands an active, decisive response, a physical and spiritual turning towards her. To "eat of my bread" signifies the internalization of her teachings, the reception of the fundamental, life-sustaining truths she offers. It speaks to the essential nourishment that wisdom provides for the soul, akin to physical bread sustaining the body.
* **"and drink of the wine":** This extends the invitation beyond mere sustenance to include refreshment, joy, and deeper understanding. Wine, frequently associated with celebration, delight, and abundance in banquets, symbolizes the richness, pleasure, and perhaps even the invigorating delight of true wisdom. It implies a deeper level of engagement and satisfaction that accompanies the foundational truths, offering not just life, but life in abundance.
* **"[which] I have mingled":** This final phrase underscores Lady Wisdom's deliberate, thoughtful, and careful preparation of her offerings. The act of "mingling" suggests that the wine (and, by extension, the entire feast) has been meticulously prepared, perhaps spiced or diluted to perfection, making it optimally ready and perfectly suited for consumption. It highlights the intentionality, superior quality, and benevolent purpose behind Wisdom's generous and life-giving invitation.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 9:5 is exceptionally rich with literary devices that amplify its meaning and impact. The most prominent is **Personification**, where abstract Wisdom is vividly given human attributes and actions, depicted as a gracious hostess who builds a house, prepares a lavish feast, and issues a personal, heartfelt invitation. This makes wisdom relatable, accessible, and active. The "bread" and "wine" function as powerful **Metaphors** for the spiritual and intellectual nourishment that wisdom provides. They are not literal food and drink but represent the life-giving truths, profound understanding, and discerning insight that sustain the soul. This imagery also employs **Symbolism**, where the entire banquet serves as a comprehensive symbol of fellowship, abundance, and the rich, deeply satisfying life found in actively pursuing and embracing wisdom. Furthermore, the verse, when read in the broader narrative of Proverbs 9, establishes a clear **Contrast** with Lady Folly's later, insidious invitation, highlighting the two distinct paths and their ultimately divergent and irreconcilable outcomes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 9:5 beautifully encapsulates the pervasive biblical theme of God's gracious and open invitation to humanity, offering not just spiritual sustenance but an abundant, flourishing life. Lady Wisdom's compelling call to "eat of my bread, and drink of the wine" resonates deeply with the divine provision for both physical and spiritual needs, inviting individuals into a transformative relationship characterized by profound nourishment and unadulterated delight. It speaks to the innate human hunger for ultimate truth, intrinsic meaning, and divine purpose, which can only be truly and eternally satisfied by God's wisdom. This invitation underscores God's proactive, relentless pursuit of humanity, not waiting for us to earn or discover wisdom, but freely offering it to all who will humbly come and partake. It highlights that true spiritual life and flourishing are found in internalizing and living by God's revealed truth, which serves as both essential sustenance and an unending source of profound joy.

* [Isaiah 55:1-2](/isaiah/55-1-2 "Isaiah 55:1-2 - An Invitation to Spiritual Sustenance")
* [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")
* [Revelation 22:17](/revelation/22-17 "Revelation 22:17 - The Spirit and the Bride Say, 'Come!'")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 9:5 serves as a timeless, urgent, and deeply personal invitation for each of us to actively engage with and wholeheartedly embrace divine wisdom. To "eat of my bread" and "drink of the wine" means to diligently internalize God's truth, to meditate deeply and consistently on His Word, and to allow its life-transforming principles to profoundly shape our innermost thoughts, our daily decisions, and our every action. It is a powerful encouragement to cultivate a spiritual appetite for righteousness, to earnestly seek understanding in all areas of life, and to apply discernment with intentionality in our daily walk. Just as our physical bodies require consistent, wholesome nourishment to thrive and function optimally, our spiritual lives are entirely dependent on a steady, intentional intake of God's wisdom to navigate life's inherent complexities, resist the seductive allure of folly, and grow into profound spiritual maturity. This verse calls us to make a conscious choice for the path of life, recognizing that true flourishing, deep satisfaction, and eternal well-being come only from feasting at Wisdom's table rather than settling for the fleeting, deceptive, and ultimately destructive offerings of the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for me, practically, to "eat of Wisdom's bread" and "drink of her wine" in my daily life and decision-making?**
* **How does Lady Wisdom's proactive and generous invitation challenge my own assumptions about seeking spiritual truth and God's availability?**
* **In what specific areas of my life am I most tempted to partake of "stolen waters" or "bread eaten in secret" (Proverbs 9:17) instead of Wisdom's prepared, life-giving feast?**
* **What concrete steps can I take to cultivate a greater hunger and unquenchable thirst for God's wisdom, and how can I consistently satisfy it?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "mingled wine" in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "mingled wine" (Hebrew: _mâçak_) refers to wine that has been mixed, often with water or spices. In ancient cultures, this was a common and thoughtful practice to enhance flavor, reduce potency for a long feast, or to add aromatic spices, making the beverage more palatable and enjoyable for guests. In Proverbs 9:5, it signifies that Lady Wisdom's offerings are not raw, crude, or unrefined but meticulously prepared and perfected for consumption. It implies intentionality, superior quality, and a profound desire to provide the most beneficial and enjoyable experience for her guests, making her wisdom both palatable and potently effective for those who partake. This carefully prepared offering stands in stark contrast to the "stolen waters" and "bread eaten in secret" offered by Lady Folly in [Proverbs 9:17](/proverbs/9-17 "Proverbs 9:17 - Lady Folly's Deception"), which are deceptive, ill-gotten, and ultimately unsatisfying.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 9:5 finds its ultimate, most profound, and glorious fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of divine Wisdom. Just as Lady Wisdom issues an open, gracious invitation, Jesus Himself declares, "[Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")" (Matthew 11:28). He is the true "bread of life," stating unequivocally, "[I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")" (John 6:35), and He offers living water, promising that "[whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus, the Living Water")" (John 4:14). The "wine" Lady Wisdom offers powerfully foreshadows the new covenant established through Christ's shed blood, profoundly symbolized at the Last Supper where He shared "[the cup of the new covenant in my blood](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in Christ's Blood")" (Luke 22:20). Jesus' entire earthly ministry was an open, universal invitation to a spiritual feast, culminating in His ultimate, self-sacrificial act on the cross that provides eternal sustenance and unceasing joy. He is the divine Host who has perfectly "mingled" the ultimate provision, offering Himself as the complete, satisfying, and eternal answer to humanity's deepest spiritual hunger and thirst, inviting all to partake in the abundant and everlasting life found only in Him.

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.

Cross-References

John 6:27

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Song Of Solomon 5:1

¶ I am come into my garden, my sister, [my] spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

Proverbs 9:17

Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.

Jeremiah 31:12

Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

Jeremiah 31:14

And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.

Psalms 22:29

All [they that be] fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

Psalms 22:26

The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.