Proverbs 23:3

3 desire not his provisions; for these belong to a false life.

Proverbs 23:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 23:3

Be not desirous of his dainties
His savoury food, which is very grateful to the taste, his rich provisions and royal dainties; do not lust after them, as the word ^F19 signifies, in an immoderate way, as the Israelites lusted after the fleshpots in Egypt: these may be lawfully desired, but not sinfully lusted after; and in feeding on them nature may be satisfied, and not the sensual lusts gratified in such a manner they crave, which would be criminal; for they [are] deceitful meat;
or, "bread of lies" ^F20: through the pleasant and agreeable taste of them, they lead on to luxury and excess before a man is aware, and so deceive him; they promise him a great deal of pleasure, but, being too much indulged to, they produce sickness and nauseousness. Some think they are called so, from the intention and issue of them; being designed to draw out secrets, which men are very apt to divulge, when they have ate and drank freely. Some apply this to false doctrines, which are framed sometimes in a very plausible manner, and deceive the simple; are bread of lies, lies in hypocrisy, and are very pernicious; such words eat, as do a canker, instead of yielding solid nourishment.

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 (watt la) "ne concupiscas", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Schultens; "ne coucupiscito", Piscator.
F20 (Mybzk Mxl) "panis mendaciorum", Montanus, Munster, Vatablus, Mercerus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis; "cibus mendaciorum", Piscator, Schultens.

Proverbs 23:3 In-Context

1 If thou sit to sup at the table of a prince, consider attentively the things set before thee:

2 and apply thine hand, knowing that it behoves thee to prepare such : but if thou art very insatiable,

3 desire not his provisions; for these belong to a false life.

4 If thou art poor, measure not thyself with a rich man; but refrain thyself in thy wisdom.

5 If thou shouldest fix thine eye upon him, he will disappear; for wings like an eagle's are prepared for him, and he returns to the house of his master.