Proverbs 23:2 kjv

And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.

Proverbs 23:2 nkjv

And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite.

Proverbs 23:2 niv

and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.

Proverbs 23:2 esv

and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite.

Proverbs 23:2 nlt

If you are a big eater,
put a knife to your throat;

Proverbs 23 verses

Proverbs 23 2 Meaning

Proverbs 23:2 is a profound warning urging extreme self-control, particularly when faced with potential temptations of overindulgence, such as dining at the table of an influential person. It vividly instructs a person prone to strong appetites to exercise rigorous discipline, as if putting their very desire for gratification on the brink of being cut off, lest they succumb to gluttony or be ensnared by the hidden intentions of their host. It emphasizes that true wisdom involves restraining the carnal desires.

Proverbs 23 2 Context

Proverbs 23:2 stands as an urgent advisory within a broader section of wisdom teachings, specifically concerning prudence in social interactions and the management of one's desires. The immediate context of Proverbs 23:1-3 deals with the dangers of dining with a ruler, warning against being enticed by his lavish food due to hidden motives or deceptive appearances. The overall chapter warns against ill-gotten gains, false friendships, the perils of alcohol, and encourages the pursuit of true wisdom. Historically, in ancient Near Eastern cultures, lavish feasts at a ruler's table often carried political or social implications, sometimes serving as a test of character, or as a means of subtly asserting power or trapping a guest into indebtedness. The counsel to exercise such severe restraint acts as an antidote to gluttony, greed, and a lack of self-awareness which could lead to social embarrassment, moral compromise, or even political danger. There is no direct polemic against a specific foreign belief, but rather a warning against common human failings related to unrestrained appetite, a vice common in any culture, and the subtle deception often found in worldly power structures.

Proverbs 23 2 Word analysis

• And put: The conjunction 'and' (וְ) connects this verse directly to the previous instruction to "consider diligently" (v.1). It initiates a strong, urgent imperative.
• a knife: (Hebrew: sakkin, שַׂכִּין). Refers to a sharp instrument or dagger. This is highly symbolic and not meant literally as an act of self-harm. Its presence underscores the extreme gravity and severity of the self-discipline required.
• to thy throat: (Hebrew: loa', לֹועַ). The gullet or opening to the stomach. Placing a knife here vividly illustrates the cutting off, choking, or suppressing of an unbridled appetite right at its source, the very act of ingestion. It’s a stark, powerful hyperbole demanding absolute self-control.
• if thou be: (Hebrew: אִם בַּעַל, im ba'al). Literally "if master of" or "if possessing." It refers to someone who habitually or inherently possesses a characteristic or strong tendency.
• a man given to appetite: (Hebrew: נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh). While nephesh commonly means "soul" or "life," in this context, especially with "master of," it signifies a person dominated by or strongly prone to excessive cravings, voracious desire, or gluttony for food. It describes someone whose default inclination is towards overindulgence.

Words-group analysis:

• "put a knife to thy throat": This powerful metaphor instructs a radical, life-threatening degree of self-restraint. It demands that one's appetite be brought under such strict control that it feels like confronting death or cutting off one's very capacity to indulge. It illustrates the magnitude of the struggle and the commitment required to overcome a strong physical desire, particularly in tempting circumstances. This is wisdom literature's use of hyperbole to emphasize severity, not to be taken literally.
• "if thou be a man given to appetite": This phrase identifies the specific target audience for this extreme counsel. It is addressed to an individual who knows they have a strong, perhaps uncontrolled, inclination towards gluttony or overindulgence. It highlights the inherent battle one might face with personal desires and cautions them to recognize their weakness and act decisively.

Proverbs 23 2 Bonus section

The metaphor of putting "a knife to thy throat" is a profound illustration of radical self-denial. It underscores that overcoming powerful internal appetites often requires a willingness to feel discomfort, deprivation, or even a sense of being "cut off" from a desired pleasure. This aligns with broader biblical teachings on "denying self" (Lk 9:23) or "mortifying the deeds of the body" (Rom 8:13). While primarily aimed at gluttony, the principle applies to any consuming desire—materialism, power, lust, idleness—that threatens one's spiritual health or capacity for righteous living. The imagery serves to awaken the will, provoking a sense of urgency about managing inward passions rather than merely addressing outward actions.

Proverbs 23 2 Commentary

Proverbs 23:2 delivers a stark and memorable image of self-discipline, stressing the dire consequences of unbridled appetite. It is not an instruction for self-harm but a dramatic hyperbolic metaphor for extreme vigilance and rigorous control over one's desires, especially gluttony, in a challenging or tempting environment. The wisdom here transcends merely avoiding overeating; it speaks to the deeper principle of mastering one's own impulses and physical cravings before they master the individual. To be a "man given to appetite" is to be someone whose desires lead them into folly, potential compromise, or sin. The "knife to the throat" symbolizes the crucial act of crucifying the flesh and denying immediate gratification for the sake of long-term wisdom, integrity, and spiritual well-being. This instruction extends beyond food to all areas where one's natural appetites could lead to a loss of self-control or moral compromise, reinforcing that wisdom requires discernment and mastery over all forms of indulgence. For example, practically, this applies when faced with excessive wealth, lust, or even uncontrolled ambition. It teaches that one must consciously suppress an innate urge that might seem natural, if it conflicts with higher wisdom or integrity.