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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 23:29-35

Solomon here gives fair warning against the sin of drunkenness, to confirm what he had said, Prov. 23:20. I. He cautions all people to keep out of the way of temptations to this sin (Prov. 23:31): Look not thou upon the wine when it is red. Red wine was in Canaan looked upon as the best wine, it is therefore called the blood of the grape. Critics judge of wine, among other indications, by the colour of it; some wine, they say, looks charmingly, looks so well that it even says, ?Come and drink... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:30

They that tarry long at the wine ,.... At drinking it. Do not care to stir from it when at it; spend whole days and nights in it, and are overcome by it, and so bring upon them all the above evils; they that go to seek mixed wine , not wine mixed with water, as used commonly by temperate people in hot countries; but either mixed with spices, to make it more palatable, or with different sorts of wine, some very strong, and more heady and intoxicating; or mere wine meant; wine "poured... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:31

Look not thou upon the wine when it is red ,.... Or, "because it is red" F18 כי "quia", some in Mercerus, Gejerus. ; 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 23:32

At the last it biteth like a serpent ,.... Though it goes down sweetly, yet it leaves a sting behind it, intemperately drank; a nausea in the stomach, a stink in the breath, pains and giddiness in the head, weakness in the eyes, trembling in the members of the body, palsy, gout, and other distempers, very painful and grievous to be bore; and, what is worse, if the conscience is awakened, sharp and cutting reflections there; and, without true repentance, torments intolerable in the world to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 23:31

Look not thou upon the wine - Let neither the color, the odour, the sparkling, etc., of the wine, when poured out, induce thee to drink of it. However good and pure it may be, it will to thee be a snare, because thou art addicted to it, and hast no self-command. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:29-35

Here follows a mashal ode or song on the subject of drunkenness, which is closely connected with the sin mentioned in the previous lines. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:29-35

The perils of drunkenness I. THE IMMEDIATE EXTERNAL EFFECTS . (Verses29, 30.) Trouble, quarrels, violence, deformity. "No translation or paraphrase can do justice to the concise, abrupt, and energetic manner of the original." "Oh that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! that we should with joy, revel, pleasure, and applause, transform ourselves into beasts!" II. THE ULTIMATE CONSEQUENCES . ( Proverbs 23:32 .) It "bites like a serpent, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:29-35

(with Proverbs 23:20 , Proverbs 23:21 ) Drunkenness A most striking picture is given as here of the manifold evils of this great curse. In a few strokes Solomon brings before us most, if not all, of its painful and pitiable consequences. Their name is legion, for they are indeed many. I. THE CONTEMPT OF THE SOBER . ( Proverbs 23:20 .) The very word "drunkard," or "wine bibber," is indicative of the deep disregard in which the victim of this vice is held by sober... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:30

The answer to the above searching questions is here given. They that tarry long at the wine ( Isaiah 5:11 ), who sit till late hours drinking. They that go to seek mixed wine; i.e. go to the wine house, place of revelry, where they may taste and give their opinion upon "mixed wine," mimsak, wine mingled with certain spices or aromatic substances, or else simply with water, as it was too luscious to be drunk undiluted (see on Proverbs 9:2 ). Septuagint, "those who hunt out where... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 23:31

Look not thou upon the wine when it is red. Be not attracted by its beautiful appearance. The wine of Palestine was chiefly "red," though what we call white wine was not unknown. The Vulgate flavescit points to the latter. When it giveth his colour in the cup. For "color" the Hebrew has "eye," which refers to the sparkling and gleaming which show themselves in wine poured into the cup. It is as though the cup had an eye which glanced at the drinker with a fascination which he did not... read more

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