Proverbs 23:6 kjv
Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
Proverbs 23:6 nkjv
Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies;
Proverbs 23:6 niv
Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies;
Proverbs 23:6 esv
Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies,
Proverbs 23:6 nlt
Don't eat with people who are stingy;
don't desire their delicacies.
Proverbs 23 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 28:22 | "A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him." | Links "evil eye" to greed and selfish desire for wealth. |
| Deut 15:9 | "Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, 'The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,' and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother..." | Connects "evil eye" or "grudging eye" directly to a lack of generosity. |
| Matt 6:22-23 | "The eye is the lamp of the body... if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light... if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness." | The "bad eye" (poneros - evil/diseased) implies inner spiritual state, parallel to stinginess. |
| Luke 11:40-41 | "...But give as alms those things that are within. Then all things will be clean for you." | Giving what is "within" (inner character/intent) cleanses the "outer" food. |
| Prov 22:9 | "Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor." | Direct antithesis to Prov 23:6; shows blessing comes from true generosity. |
| Rom 12:8 | "...the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." | Emphasizes generosity should be cheerful, not grudging. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." | Reaffirms that reluctant or forced giving is not blessed. |
| Prov 23:7 | "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. 'Eat and drink!' he says to you, but his heart is not with you." | Directly follows and clarifies Prov 23:6, revealing the host's false intentions. |
| Prov 25:16 | "If you find honey, eat only what you need, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it." | Caution against overindulgence and its ill effects, relates to "delicacies." |
| Ps 141:4 | "Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to engross myself in wicked activities with men who are evildoers; lest I eat of their dainties." | Prays to avoid partaking in evil actions and their benefits (dainties) with evildoers. |
| Prov 26:24-25 | "Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and stores up deceit within him; when he speaks graciously, do not believe him..." | Deceit hidden beneath a pleasing exterior, relevant to the grudging host's false welcome. |
| Matt 7:15-18 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves... You will recognize them by their fruits." | Warnings against deception, recognizing true character by deeds/motives, not outward appearance. |
| Ps 55:12-14 | "For it is not an enemy who taunts me... but it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend... we used to take sweet counsel together..." | Caution about potential betrayal from someone outwardly trusted. |
| John 13:21-27 | Jesus predicts his betrayal by one of the disciples with whom he is sharing a meal. | Illustrates danger even within sacred meals when hearts are not right (Judas). |
| 1 Cor 10:27-28 | "If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner... if someone says to you, 'This has been offered in sacrifice,' do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you..." | Advises caution regarding food that might compromise conscience or integrity. |
| 1 Tim 6:9-10 | "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare... For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils." | The "evil eye" often driven by avarice, showing how desires can lead to destruction. |
| Titus 1:7 | "...for an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain." | Negative examples for leaders, highlighting "not greedy for dishonest gain," the antithesis of the "evil eye." |
| Phil 4:11-12 | "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty." | Contrasts with desiring someone else's "delicacies," promoting contentment. |
| Prov 4:23 | "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." | The root of a stingy man's problem is his heart; likewise, guard one's own heart from their influence. |
| Heb 13:2 | "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." | True, cheerful hospitality is praised, in stark contrast to the subject of Prov 23:6. |
Proverbs 23 verses
Proverbs 23 6 Meaning
Proverbs 23:6 cautions against accepting hospitality, especially food, from a person characterized by a "stingy" or "grudging" spirit, often termed an "evil eye." It warns not to even desire the enticing dishes of such an individual, because their apparent generosity is not rooted in true benevolence but in hidden, possibly manipulative, intentions or a grudging heart, which will ultimately prove harmful or misleading to the guest. The verse emphasizes discerning character over mere provision.
Proverbs 23 6 Context
Proverbs 23 opens with advice regarding dining with rulers (vv. 1-3), advising self-control and discernment. Verse 6 directly extends this wisdom, shifting focus from dining with rulers to dining with any individual characterized by a "stingy" or "grudging" spirit. The chapter broadly addresses the importance of wisdom in practical living, especially in discerning relationships, managing desires (food, wine, wealth), and avoiding pitfalls like greed, drunkenness, and foolishness. Verses 6-8 form a tight unit, with verse 7 explaining why one should avoid such a host: their true character (what they think in their heart) belies their outward invitation. The historical context of ancient Near Eastern culture valued hospitality greatly, making a warning against a type of host particularly significant, as it highlighted that not all hospitality is truly benevolent or safe. It subtly serves as a polemic against superficial appearances of generosity.
Proverbs 23 6 Word analysis
- Do not eat (
'al to'khal- אַל־תֹּ֫אכַל): An imperative negative, a strong prohibition. This is not merely about physical ingestion but can imply partaking, participating, or even benefiting from something offered. The warning is against receiving provisions from a certain type of person, suggesting that accepting such "gifts" comes with unseen costs. - the bread (
lechem- לֶ֫חֶם): The staple food, signifying sustenance or a meal. In ancient Israel, "bread" was fundamental to life and hospitality. Here, it represents the offerings of a host, specifically highlighting the common means of shared community and life. - of a selfish man (NIV: "stingy person"; ESV: "selfish man"; KJV: "evil eye"): The Hebrew phrase is
ra' 'ayin(רַע־עַיִן).Ra(רַע): Means "evil," "bad," "wicked," "grudging," "miserly."Ayin(עַ֫יִן): Means "eye."- Combined,
ra' 'ayin("evil eye") in the Hebrew Bible primarily refers to stinginess, illiberality, meanness, or grudging envy rather than a superstitious hex. It denotes a person whose outlook is characterized by selfishness, avarice, and a lack of generosity. Such a person views others' needs, or even their own provisions, with an unwilling or envious eye. Their "generosity" is a facade for their underlying grudging character or ulterior motives.
- nor desire (
v'al tit'av- וְאַל־תִּ֫תְאָו): Another negative imperative, reinforcing the command.Tit'avmeans to crave, long for, covet, or desire intensely. This takes the warning beyond mere physical acceptance to the heart's inclinations. One should not even inwardly long for what such a person offers, as this cultivates a potentially dangerous craving. - his delicacies (
mat'amo'tav- מַטְעַמֹּ֫תָיו): Literally "his dainties" or "his rich food." This refers to choice, attractive, and perhaps costly provisions. The word emphasizes the appealing nature of what is offered, making the temptation stronger. - words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Do not eat the bread...": This initial phrase establishes a clear and direct prohibition against engaging in typical hospitality, which, by convention, implies sharing a bond or accepting fellowship. The act of eating together symbolizes trust and alliance.
- "...of a selfish man / a man with an evil eye": This crucial descriptor reveals why the hospitality should be avoided. The problem is not the food itself, but the character and motives of the giver. The "evil eye" denotes a spirit of covetousness, meanness, or hidden malicious intent that makes the shared meal a perilous proposition.
- "nor desire his delicacies": This expands the prohibition from external action (eating) to internal inclination (desiring). It implies a spiritual discipline to guard one's heart against temptation, acknowledging the enticing nature of "delicacies" that might blind one to the host's true nature. It teaches contentment and discernment.
Proverbs 23 6 Bonus section
This verse subtly underscores the true essence of biblical hospitality, which is meant to be freely given, generously shared, and rooted in a genuine desire for the well-being of others (as seen in Heb 13:2, Rom 12:13). It stands in stark contrast to the self-serving or begrudging nature described in Prov 23:6. The warning serves to teach caution and discernment, promoting a wise approach to relationships, especially when those relationships involve close fellowship such as sharing a meal. It extends the warning from the external action of eating to the internal desire, highlighting the need to guard one's own heart from covetousness or a craving for material delights that might compromise spiritual safety.
Proverbs 23 6 Commentary
Proverbs 23:6 offers profound wisdom about discerning character behind apparent generosity. The verse goes beyond mere etiquette to address spiritual and moral integrity. The "selfish man" or "man with an evil eye" does not truly wish well upon his guest. His hospitality, though seemingly pleasant due to the "delicacies" offered, masks a grudging spirit, stinginess, or even manipulative intent. This is not about being rude or ungrateful in general, but about protecting oneself from association with someone whose heart is not genuinely benevolent. Partaking in such food may create an obligation, lead to compromise, or subject one to the negative influence of their ill will. The core message is to trust true benevolence over a false outward show and to recognize that true value comes not from what is given, but from the heart of the giver. It calls for discernment of spirits in daily interactions.