Proverbs 23:3

3 Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.

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.


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 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you;
2 and put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite.
3 Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.
4 Do not toil to acquire wealth; be wise enough to desist
5 When your eyes light upon it, it is gone; for suddenly it takes to itself wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.