Proverbs 23:34 kjv

Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.

Proverbs 23:34 nkjv

Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:

Proverbs 23:34 niv

You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.

Proverbs 23:34 esv

You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.

Proverbs 23:34 nlt

You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea,
clinging to a swaying mast.

Proverbs 23 verses

Proverbs 23 34 Meaning

Proverbs 23:34 profoundly illustrates the dire, unaware, and utterly vulnerable condition of a person completely overcome by alcohol. This verse vividly compares the drunkard to someone lying unconscious and helpless in the treacherous depths of the open sea, or similarly, atop the high, swaying mast of a ship. This powerful imagery conveys extreme instability, total disorientation, and grave, unnoticed peril, where the individual is gravely exposed and oblivious to their impending catastrophe.

Proverbs 23 34 Context

Proverbs chapter 23 offers a compilation of practical wisdom for living a righteous life according to God's ways. Specifically, verses 29 through 35 deliver a detailed and stark warning against the destructive nature of excessive drinking. This passage first outlines the immediate signs and woes of intemperance, such as conflict, sorrow, and blurry vision. It then moves to describe the insatiable desire for more drink, even after suffering ill effects. Verse 34 serves as a dramatic climax, illustrating the extreme danger and profound unawareness of the heavy drinker, who is unable to perceive their perilous state. The final verse of this section (Prov 23:35) highlights the drunkard's insensitivity to physical pain and continued craving for drink despite repeated harm. The broader context of Proverbs continually calls for self-control, discernment, and wise choices, contrasting them with the folly and destruction that inevitably follow paths of indulgence, such as drunkenness, which leads to loss of judgment and vulnerability.

Proverbs 23 34 Word analysis

• He will be like (כְּשֹׁכֵב - keshokhev): The prefix `כְּ` (ke-) means "like" or "as," initiating a powerful comparison. `שֹׁכֵב` (shokhev) is a participle translating to "one who lies down" or "is lying." This denotes a state of profound prostration, sleep, or stupor, implying utter helplessness and an inability to perceive or react to imminent danger. This indicates a complete loss of awareness characteristic of severe intoxication.
• in the midst of the sea (בְּלֶב־יָם - belev-yam):
  • `בְּ` (be-) means "in" or "within."
  • `לֵב` (lev) signifies "heart," but in this context, refers to the deepest core, center, or most hidden part.
  • `יָם` (yam) means "sea" or "ocean."
  • The phrase "heart of the sea" conveys being far from the safety of land, completely enveloped by deep, often turbulent waters. In ancient Israelite thought, the sea was often symbolic of chaos, uncontrolled forces, and immense peril. To be in its "heart" implies the most dangerous, exposed, and uncontrollable position, without means of escape or stability, symbolizing an overwhelming and potentially lethal situation from which escape is impossible without intervention.
• or like one who lies (וּכְשֹׁכֵב - ucheshokhev): The connective `וּ` (u-) functions as "and" or "or," introducing a second, equally vivid and dangerous analogy. The repetition of `שֹׁכֵב` (shokhev) emphasizes the continued state of unconsciousness or helpless prostration.
• on top of a mast (עַל־רֹאשׁ חִבֵּל - al-rosh chibbel):
  • `עַל־` (al-) means "on" or "upon."
  • `רֹאשׁ` (rosh) means "head" or "top," referring to the highest point.
  • `חִבֵּל` (chibbel) is often translated as "mast" of a ship or its "rigging." It can also metaphorically refer to the "pilot" or "navigator." However, the imagery of a person lying "on top of a mast" suggests an extremely elevated, narrow, and unstable perch, especially hazardous during the turbulent conditions of the open sea. A fall from such a height would be catastrophic.
• "in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies on top of a mast": These two metaphors work in tandem to highlight severe, self-induced peril. Both scenarios describe situations marked by:
  • Imminent and profound danger: Threats of drowning or a fatal fall are ever-present.
  • Utter vulnerability: The individual is entirely exposed and lacks the capacity to defend themselves or seek rescue.
  • Total lack of awareness and control: The act of "lying down" implies a stupor where the person is completely unable to perceive or respond to their critical environment.
  • Disorientation and instability: Both the vast, moving sea and the swaying, elevated mast perfectly parallel the severe physical and mental disorientation caused by drunkenness.

Proverbs 23 34 Bonus section

The wisdom writer's deliberate use of maritime imagery in Proverbs 23:34, despite ancient Israel not being primarily a seafaring nation, signifies the universal applicability and impactful nature of the warning. The "heart of the sea" specifically draws from deeply embedded cultural perceptions of the ocean as a symbol of primal chaos, untamed forces, and profound distress, frequently echoed in other biblical narratives like the creation account (Gen 1:2) and passages describing deep human suffering (Psa 69:2). This powerful comparison implicitly highlights how unchecked indulgence leads to a state of internal and external chaos mirroring the unruliness of the ocean. Furthermore, the passive posture of "lying down" is crucial: it describes a self-induced state of complete incapacitation, not merely being caught in a storm. This distinction emphasizes that the danger is not primarily external circumstance but stems from an individual's poor choices, rendering them unable to respond when inevitable perils arise. This powerful imagery ultimately reinforces the vital biblical principle that sound judgment and resolute self-control, fostered by wisdom, are indispensable for navigating life's inherent complexities and avoiding self-created ruin.

Proverbs 23 34 Commentary

Proverbs 23:34 offers a gripping, allegorical depiction of the catastrophic ruin and utterly irrational peril brought on by unchecked addiction to strong drink. It graphically paints the picture of an intoxicated individual as one profoundly disconnected from reality, utterly incapable of recognizing or reacting to the mortal dangers that encircle them. The powerful twin images—floating helplessly in the boundless ocean or teetering precariously atop a ship's swaying mast—underscore an extreme state of vulnerability, disequilibrium, and an inevitable journey towards destruction. Unlike an alert individual who would instinctively strive for safety, the drunkard is insensible to pain, unconcerned by the threats, and tragically unaware of their precarious existence. This state embodies not just physical hazard but also profound spiritual and moral collapse, as fundamental virtues like discernment, self-control, and prudence, essential for a life of wisdom and righteousness, are completely eroded. The proverb serves as a solemn warning that succumbing to the grip of intemperance means discarding all safeguards and inviting calamity while remaining tragically ignorant of its onset.

• Example: Imagine a young person in their late teens who repeatedly drinks to the point of blacking out. Like the one "lying in the midst of the sea," they are profoundly vulnerable to assault, theft, or hypothermia, yet completely oblivious to these grave risks. Their consciousness is as unstable and dangerous as being perched "on top of a mast," where even a slight disturbance could lead to a fatal fall, embodying a complete lack of control over their life and well-being.