Proverbs 23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:1

When thou sittest to eat with a ruler ,.... Either a supreme ruler, a king, or a subordinate ruler, a nobleman, a judge, a civil magistrate, a person of honour, dignity, and authority; and to sit at table with such is sometimes allowed, and is always reckoned an honour; this particularly diligent and industrious persons are admitted to, who not only are brought to stand before kings and great persons, but to sit at table with them, and eat food with them. And now the wise man advises such... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:2

And put a knife to thy throat ,.... Refrain from too much talk at the table; give not too loose to thy tongue, but bridle it, considering in whose presence thou art; do not use too much freedom, either with the ruler or fellow guests; which, when persons have ate and drank well, they are too apt to do, and sometimes say things offensive to one or the other; it is good for a man to be upon his guard; see Ecclesiastes 5:2 . Or restrain thine appetite; deny thyself of some things agreeable,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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 אל תתאו "ne concupiscas", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Schultens; "ne coucupiscito", Piscator. 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,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:4

Labour not to be rich ,.... In an immoderate over anxious way and manner, to a weariness, as the word F21 אל תיגע "ne fatiges", Mercerus, Junius & Tremellius; "ne hiascas", Schultens. signifies, and even as to gape for breath men ought to labour, that they may have wherewith to support themselves and families, and give to others and: if they can, lay up for their children; but then persons should not toil and weary themselves to heap up riches when they know not who shall... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:5

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not ?.... The Vulgate Latin version is, "do not lift up thine eyes to riches which thou canst not have;' riches no doubt are intended, and which may be said to be "not"; they are not the true riches, have only the shadow and appearance of riches; they are not lasting and durable; in a little time they will not be; they are perishing things, they have no substance or solidity in them; they are not satisfying; they do not make them happy; they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:6

Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye ,.... A sordid covetous man, that grudges every bit that is eaten, in opposition to a man of a good eye, or a bountiful one, that is liberal and generous, Proverbs 22:9 ; if he invites to a meal, do not accept of it, sit not down at his table to eat with him: neither desire thou his dainty meats ; or savoury food, so as to lust after it; See Gill on Proverbs 23:3 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he ,.... He is not the man his mouth speaks or declares him to be, but what his heart thinks; which is discovered by his looks and actions, and by which he is to be judged of, and not by his words; eat and drink, saith he to thee, but his heart is not with thee ; he bids you eat and drink, but he does not desire you should, at least but very sparingly; it is only a mere compliment, not a hearty welcome. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:8

The morsel which thou hast eaten, shalt thou vomit up ,.... It shall turn in thy stomach, thou shall not be able to keep it, when thou understandest thou art not welcome; or thou wilt wish thou hadst never eaten a bit, or that thou couldest vomit up what thou hast; so disagreeable is the thought of being unwelcome, or when this appears to be the case; and lose thy sweet words ; expressed in thankfulness to the master of the feast, in praise of his food, in pleasantry with him, and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:9

Speak not in the ears of a fool ,.... For it is only beating the air, and speaking to the wind; it is casting pearls before swine, and that which is holy to dogs. By the "fool" is meant a wicked man, one abandoned to sin, and hardened in it; that scoffs at all admonitions and reproofs, that derides the word, and the preachers of it, and makes a mock at all good men, and everything they say; and therefore what is serious and sacred should not be said to them, since it only becomes the object... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:10

Remove not the old landmark ,.... See Gill on Proverbs 22:28 ; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless ; to carry off the increase of them, to reap their wheat, or mow their grass, or turn in cattle to eat it; or to encroach upon them, take in any part of them, or join the whole to their own; for if there is a woe to them that lay field to field, much more to them that enter into and take the fields of the fatherless, and join them to their own, Isaiah 5:8 . read more

Group of Brands