Proverbs 23 35

Proverbs 23:35 kjv

They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

Proverbs 23:35 nkjv

"They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?"

Proverbs 23:35 niv

"They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?"

Proverbs 23:35 esv

"They struck me," you will say, "but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink."

Proverbs 23:35 nlt

And you will say, "They hit me, but I didn't feel it.
I didn't even know it when they beat me up.
When will I wake up
so I can look for another drink?"

Proverbs 23 verses

Proverbs 23 35 Meaning

This verse captures the tragic and self-deceptive state of one entrenched in habitual drunkenness. It depicts the individual enduring physical abuse—being struck and beaten—yet experiencing no pain or awareness of their injuries due to intoxication. Upon a fleeting moment of lucidity, the primary thought is not repentance or seeking help, but an immediate desire to return to the stupor, asking, "When will I wake up?" only to immediately declare, "I will seek another drink." It illustrates the profound insensitivity, impaired judgment, and relentless craving that characterizes addiction, prioritizing the escape of intoxication over physical harm or shame.

Proverbs 23 35 Context

Proverbs 23:35 is the climax of an extended poetic warning (Pr 23:29-35) against the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. The preceding verses vividly describe the woes (v. 29), physical effects like blurred vision and strange sights (v. 33), and moral corruption (v. 33). It climaxes by personifying alcohol as a biting serpent (v. 32). This specific verse encapsulates the deep irony and tragedy: the drunkard, suffering direct physical harm, fails to recognize it due to their stupor, and instead of learning, expresses an immediate, overpowering desire to continue the destructive cycle. This passage reflects the practical wisdom typical of Proverbs, emphasizing cause-and-effect and the real-world consequences of choices, particularly those related to self-indulgence and a lack of self-control, set against the backdrop of ancient Israelite society where wine was common but drunkenness was condemned. There is no direct polemic against specific contemporary beliefs; rather, it's a moral and practical warning consistent with biblical wisdom literature.

Proverbs 23 35 Word analysis

• "They have struck me" (הִכּוּנִי - hikkûnî): From the root נָכָה (nâḵâh), meaning "to strike," "to beat," "to smite." This passive declaration implies being subjected to violence, possibly in drunken brawls or accidents. The inability to recall or feel pain highlights a severe dissociation and detachment from reality, a common feature of deep intoxication or addiction, where one is impervious to the very real and immediate consequences of their state. This insensitivity can also signify a hardened heart towards moral and spiritual reproof.
• "but I was not hurt" (וְלֹא־חָלִיתִי - wělō’-ḥālîtî): From חָלָה (ḥālāh), meaning "to be sick," "to be weak," "to be in pain." The negation "not" (lō’) underscores the complete absence of physical sensation or emotional understanding of their compromised state. This is profound self-deception; physical evidence of harm exists (bruises, wounds), yet the mind, clouded by drink, fails to register the reality or the connection between the harm and their choices. This speaks to a dangerous level of delusion, where natural warning systems are overridden.
• "they have beaten me" (הֲלָמוּנִי - hălāmūnî): From הָלַם (hālâm), meaning "to strike down," "to beat," "to hammer." A stronger, more impactful term than "struck," suggesting severe physical abuse or a heavy blow. Reinforces the theme of enduring significant harm. The repetition of suffering physical violence, immediately followed by a denial of feeling, highlights the deep physical and cognitive impairment.
• "but I did not feel it" (לֹא יָדָעְתִּי - lō’ yādā‘tî): From יָדַע (yādâ‘), meaning "to know," "to perceive," "to discern," "to feel." This term implies a cognitive, perceptive, and even relational understanding. The statement "I did not know/perceive/feel it" moves beyond mere physical sensation to a total lack of awareness or comprehension of the situation, the impact, or even the agents of the harm. It represents a complete mental blackout and loss of discernment, extending to the moral consequences of their behavior.
• "When will I wake up? I will seek another drink.": This complete phrase captures the addict's desperate cycle. "When will I wake up?" (מָתַי אָקִיץ - mātay ’āqîṣ from קוּץ, qûṣ, "to wake up") expresses a fleeting desire for lucidity, but it's not a yearning for true awakening from destructive behavior. It is quickly overridden by the immediate resolve: "I will seek another drink" (אוֹסִיף אֲבַקְּשֶׁנּוּ עוֹד - ôšîf ’ăbaqqěšennû ‘ôd). The verb ôšîf ("I will add" or "continue to do") combined with ’ăbaqqěšennû ("I will diligently seek it") and ‘ôd ("again/more") reveals a compulsive, unyielding craving. Despite all the pain and oblivion, the very first conscious thought is to return to the source of the problem, illustrating the devastating triumph of addiction over reason, self-preservation, and personal dignity. The will is enslaved to the craving, completing the self-destructive loop.

Proverbs 23 35 Bonus section

This verse is often cited for its profound psychological insight into addiction, recognizing patterns of denial, dissociation, and the overwhelming craving for immediate relapse that transcend time and culture. The phrase "When will I wake up?" while seeming to express a desire for lucidity, paradoxically leads to the statement of continued indulgence, suggesting that this "waking" is merely a physical state change, not a moral or spiritual awakening. True awakening, biblically speaking, involves a turning towards God and His wisdom (Eph 5:14). The passage's depiction of insensitivity also serves as a powerful spiritual metaphor for those whose hearts have become hardened to God's warnings and discipline (Jer 5:3; Isa 6:10), prioritizing sinful indulgence over the clear consequences and calls to repentance. The "wounds without knowing" suggest a self-inflicted spiritual deadness. This verse stands as a profound warning that repeated willful disobedience to God's wisdom leads not just to external consequences, but to an internal state of spiritual blindness and an inability to perceive one's own peril, thus perpetuating the destructive cycle.

Proverbs 23 35 Commentary

Proverbs 23:35 provides a stark and tragic portrayal of the addict's self-destructive cycle. It goes beyond merely describing the physical dangers of drunkenness to expose the profound cognitive, emotional, and spiritual insensitivity that results. The individual reports enduring severe physical harm ("struck," "beaten") but denies any perception of pain or injury. This detachment is a chilling illustration of how excessive indulgence can desensitize a person, blurring the lines between reality and delusion. The central irony lies in the immediate aftermath: upon partial regaining of consciousness, the drunkard's focus is not on healing or regret, but on securing "another drink." This highlights the relentless grip of addiction, where the craving overrides personal safety, social repercussions, or the basic instinct for self-preservation. It is a cautionary tale of a will enslaved, demonstrating how sin, once given control, creates a cycle of self-perpetuating harm and moral blindness, where the lessons of painful experience are immediately dismissed in favor of renewed indulgence. The verse implicitly calls for self-control, discernment, and seeking freedom from such destructive bondage.

Example: Like a person repeatedly accruing massive debt from gambling losses, only to wake up, momentarily lament their situation, then immediately look for ways to secure money for another bet, rather than confronting their problem.Example: An individual who physically fights or causes accidents while intoxicated, yet wakes up with no memory or feeling of remorse for the damage done, their only desire being to drink again.