Proverbs 23:3

3 Do not crave his delicacies, because this is food that deceives you.

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, pay close attention to what is in front of you,

2 and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite.

3 Do not crave his delicacies, because this is food that deceives you.

4 Do not wear yourself out getting rich. Be smart enough to stop.

5 Will you catch only a fleeting glimpse of wealth before it is gone? It makes wings for itself like an eagle flying into the sky.