Proverbs 23:31
Read Proverbs 23:31 Using Other Translations
What does Proverbs 23:31 mean?
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.
F18 (yk) "quia", some in Mercerus, Gejerus.
F19 (wnye) "oculum suum", Montanus, Gejerus, Michaelis.
F20 (oykb) "in crumena, vel marsupio", Mercerus.
