Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.
Parallel translations
- WEB Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul:
- KJV Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
- BSB Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
- NKJV Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
- NASB Give intoxicating drink to one who is perishing, And wine to one whose life is bitter.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Strong drink may rightly be given to those perishing or bitter in soul to ease their suffering.
Overview
Having forbidden wine to rulers, the mother allows its compassionate use to comfort the dying and deeply distressed. The contrast shows wisdom in matching things to their proper purpose. The verse models mercy toward the suffering, though believers must apply it carefully, for true and lasting comfort for the perishing is found in Christ alone.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- 1 Tim 5:23Be no longer a drinker of water only, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.
- Ps 104:15wine that makes glad the heart of man, oil to make his face to shine, and bread that strengthens man’s heart.
- 1 Sam 1:10She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to Yahweh, weeping bitterly.
- 2 Kgs 4:27When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi came near to thrust her away; but the man of God said, “Leave her alone; for her soul is troubled within her; and Yahweh has hidden it from me, and has not told me.”
- Job 3:20“Why is light given to him who is in misery, life to the bitter in soul,
- 1 Sam 30:6David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the souls of all the people were grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David strengthened himself in Yahweh his God.
- Job 29:13the blessing of him who was ready to perish came on me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 31:6 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.