Proverbs 23:27-35

27 For a prostitute is ¹a deep pit; ²an adulteress^[a] is a narrow ³well.

28 ⁴She lies in wait like a robber and increases the traitors among mankind.

29 ⁵Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has ⁶wounds without cause? Who has ⁷redness of eyes?

30 Those who ⁸tarry long over wine; those who go to try ⁹mixed wine.

31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.

32 In the end it ¹⁰bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.

33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter ¹¹perverse things.

34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.^[b]

35 "They ¹²struck me," you will say,^[c]"but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I ¹³must have another drink."

Proverbs 23:27-35 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 11

This chapter relates the false steps Solomon took, notwithstanding all his wisdom, in marrying strange wives, and worshipping other gods, 1Ki 11:1-8 upon which the Lord threatens him to rend the kingdom in his son's time, 1Ki 11:9-13 and he raised up adversaries against him, Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam, 1Ki 11:14-26 of which last an account is given, and of his being assured by Ahijah the prophet of his having ten of the tribes of Israel given to him; which Solomon having notice of sought to slay him, 1Ki 11:27-40 and the chapter is concluded with an account of Solomon's death and burial, 1Ki 11:41-43.

Cross References

• 1. [Proverbs 22:14]
• 2. See Proverbs 2:16
• 3. Psalms 55:23
• 4. Proverbs 7:12; [Ecclesiastes 7:26]
• 5. [ver. 20, 21]
• 6. [ver. 35]
• 7. Genesis 49:12
• 8. Isaiah 5:11
• 9. Proverbs 9:2, 5; Psalms 75:8; Isaiah 5:22; Isaiah 65:11
• 10. Job 20:16
• 11. See Proverbs 2:12
• 12. Jeremiah 5:3; [ver. 29]
• 13. Isaiah 56:12

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew a foreign woman
• [b]. Or of the rigging
• [c]. Hebrew lacks you will say