Proverbs 20:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:1

Here is, 1. The mischief of drunkenness: Wine is a mocker; strong drink is raging. It is so to the sinner himself; it mocks him, makes a fool of him, promises him that satisfaction which it can never give him. It smiles upon him at first, but at the last it bites. In reflection upon it, it rages in his conscience. It is raging in the body, puts the humours into a ferment. When the wine is in the wit is out, and then the man, according as his natural temper is, either mocks like a fool or rages... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging ,.... Wine deceives a man; it not only overcomes him before he is aware, but it promises him a pleasure which it does not give; but, on the contrary, excessive drinking gives him pain, and so mocks him; yea, it exposes him to reproach and disgrace, and to the mockery and derision of others; as well as it sets him to scoff at his companions, and even to mock at religion, and all that is good and serious; see Hosea 7:5 ; and strong drink not only... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker - It deceives by its fragrance, intoxicates by its strength, and renders the intoxicated ridiculous. Strong drink - שכר shechar , any strong fermented liquor, whether of the vine, date, or palm species. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker; or, scorner, the word ( luts ) being taken up from the last chapter. The liquor is, as it were, personified, as doing what men do under its influence. Thus inebriated persons scoff at what is holy, reject reproof, ridicule all that is serious. Septuagint, ἀκόλαστον οἶνος , "Wine is an undisciplined thing;" Vulgate, Luxuriosa res, vinum. Strong drink is raging; a brawler, Revised Version. Shekar, σίκερα ( Luke 1:15 ), is most frequently employed of any... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:1

Wine the mocker Intemperance was not so common a vice in biblical times as it has become more recently, nor did the light wines of the East exercise so deleterious an effect as the strong drink that is manufactured in Europe is seen to produce. Therefore all that is said in the Bible against the evil of drunkenness applies with much-increased force to the aggravated intemperance of England today. I. WINE IS A MOCKER BECAUSE IT ALLURES THE WEAK . It makes great promises.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:1

Strong drink: four delusions That may be said to mock us which first professes to benefit us, and then proceeds to injure and even to destroy us. This is what is done by strong drink. First it cheers and brightens, puts a song into our mouth, makes life seem enviable; then it weakens, obfuscates, deadens, ruins. How many of the children of men has it deceived and betrayed! how many has it robbed of their virtue, their beauty, their strength, their resources, their peace, their reputation,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:1-5

Evils to be avoided I. SOME SPECIAL EVILS AND DANGERS . 1 . Drunkenness . ( Proverbs 20:1 .) The spirit or demon of wine is spoken of as a personal agent. It leads to frivolity, scoffing, profane and senseless mirth. To be drunk with wine, as St. Paul points out ( Ephesians 5:18 ), is the opposite of being "filled with the Spirit" (see F.W. Robertson's sermon on this subject). 2 . The wrath of kings. ( Proverbs 20:2 ) In those times of absolute rule, the king... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 20:1

Proverbs 20:1. Wine is a mocker Wine immoderately drank makes men mockers or scoffers at God and men: see Hosea 7:5. Or, is a mocker to the sinner himself, makes a mock of him, deprives him of his understanding, and causes him to speak and act like a fool, and thereby renders him ridiculous, and exposes him to shame, contempt, and insult. Strong drink is raging Excites unruly passions in men’s minds, and makes them full of rage and fury. “When wine is in,” says one, “wit is out,” and then... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:1-30

Honesty (20:1-30)Wise people will not become drunkards, will not needlessly anger those in authority, will avoid quarrelling and will work to support themselves (20:1-4). They will also have the ability to draw out the deepest feelings and intentions of those with whom they deal (5). Many people boast of their loyalty but few practise it. To live honestly is the best way to guarantee a good future for one’s children (6-7). A king learns by experience to discern between right and wrong in cases... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 20:1

Wine. Hebrew. yayin. See App-27 . is. Figure of speech Metaphor. App-6 . mocker = scoffer. strong drink. Hebrew. shekar. App-27 . IV raging = a brawler. is deceived = erreth. Hebrew. shagah = to go astray. See note on Proverbs 11:18 . Not the same word as in Proverbs 20:17 . is not wise. Illustrations: Noah (Genesis 7:1 . Compare Pro 9:20 , Pro 9:21 ); Nabal (1 Samuel 25:36 ); Elah (1 Kings 16:8-10 ); Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:16-21 ); Ephraim (Isaiah 28:7 ); Belshazzar, &c. (Daniel... read more

Group of Brands