Proverbs 23:31

31 For if thou shouldest set thine eyes on bowls and cups, thou shalt afterwards go more naked than a pestle.

Proverbs 23:31 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 23:31

Look not thou upon the wine when it is red
Or, "because it is red" ^F18; or shows itself red. Which was the only wine used in the land of Canaan, or, however, the most esteemed of, and that most of art which had the best colour; when it had a good, bright, red colour, or sparkled, and looked bright and beautiful, so the word signifies; and then it should not be looked upon: not that it is unlawful to look upon the colour of wine, and thereby judge of its goodness; but it should not be looked upon with a greedy eye, so as vehemently to desire it, which will lead to an intemperate use of it; just as looking upon a woman, so as to lust after her, is forbidden, ( Matthew 5:28 ) ; when it giveth his colour in the cup:
or, its eye in the cup ^F19; such a bright, brisk, and beautiful colour, as is like a bright and sparkling eye. Here is a various reading; it is written in the text, "in the purse" ^F20; it is read in the margin, "in the cup"; and Jarchi's note takes in both,

``he that drinks wine sets his eye on the cup; and the vintner sets his on his purse;''

[when] it moveth itself aright;
sparkles in the glass, or goes down the throat pleasantly; or rather looks well to the eye, and appears right and good, and promises a great deal of satisfaction and delight.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 (yk) "quia", some in Mercerus, Gejerus.
F19 (wnye) "oculum suum", Montanus, Gejerus, Michaelis.
F20 (oykb) "in crumena, vel marsupio", Mercerus.

Proverbs 23:31 In-Context

29 Who woe? who trouble? who quarrels? and who vexations and disputes? who bruises without a cause? whose eyes are livid?

30 Are not those of them that stay long at wine? not of them that haunt where banquets are? Be not drunk with wine; but converse with just men, and converse openly.

31 For if thou shouldest set thine eyes on bowls and cups, thou shalt afterwards go more naked than a pestle.

32 But at last stretches himself out as one smitten by a serpent, and venom is diffused through him as by a horned serpent.

33 Whenever thine eyes shall behold a strange woman, then thy mouth shall speak perverse things.