Proverbs 4:17

17 For they ate the bread of wickedness, and they drank the wine of violence.

Proverbs 4:17 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 4:17

For they eat the bread of wickedness
Either that is gotten by wicked and unlawful means, or wickedness itself is bread unto them; it is that to their minds as bread is to their bodies; they feed upon it with as much eagerness, appetite, gust, and pleasure; it is a sweet morsel to them; it is meat, drink, sleep, and everything to them; they take the highest satisfaction and the utmost delight in it; and drink the wine of violence:
either that which is obtained by rapine and violence; or they as greedily commit such acts of oppression and injury as a man drinks a glass of wine; they do not drink up iniquity like water only, but even like wine, the most generous and delicious. Wherefore all society with such men should be avoided.

Proverbs 4:17 In-Context

15 Avoid it; do not transgress it; turn away from it and pass by.

16 For they will not sleep if they have not done wrong, and they are robbed of their sleep if they do not cause stumbling.

17 For they ate the bread of wickedness, and they drank the wine of violence.

18 But the path of the righteous ones [is] like the light of dawn, leading and shining until the day {is full}.

19 The way of the wicked ones [is] like deep darkness; they do not know what they stumble over.