Proverbs 23:8 kjv

The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.

Proverbs 23:8 nkjv

The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up, And waste your pleasant words.

Proverbs 23:8 niv

You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

Proverbs 23:8 esv

You will vomit up the morsels that you have eaten, and waste your pleasant words.

Proverbs 23:8 nlt

You will throw up what little you've eaten,
and your compliments will be wasted.

Proverbs 23 verses

Proverbs 23 8 Meaning

Proverbs 23:8 warns against accepting hospitality from a person who is secretly stingy or malevolent, symbolized as having "an evil eye" (Prv 23:6-7). The verse metaphorically states that consuming even a small portion of their food will lead to such regret and repulsion that you will wish to expel it, signifying profound disgust and rejection. Furthermore, the efforts you put into polite conversation or the "sweet words" you offered during the interaction will be utterly wasted, becoming futile or even turning bitter, due to the insincerity or ill will of the host.

Proverbs 23 8 Context

Proverbs 23:8 is part of a series of admonitions (Proverbs 22:17 - 24:34) concerning various aspects of wise living. Specifically, verses 6-8 constitute a self-contained warning about interacting with a "stingy man" or someone who looks at life and others with an "evil eye" (Hebrew: ayin ra, literally "bad eye," denoting illiberality, envy, or malice). The preceding verses (23:1-3) advise moderation when dining with a ruler, suggesting discretion is paramount in powerful company. This section then transitions to caution against associating with those who may outwardly offer hospitality but whose hearts are far from generous. The cultural context emphasizes the importance of shared meals as acts of fellowship and trust; thus, to partake in food offered grudgingly or with hidden ill-will contaminates the entire experience, impacting both body and spirit.

Proverbs 23 8 Word analysis

• The morsel: (פתֶּךָ - pit'kâ) Refers to a small piece of bread or food, symbolizing even a small part of the stingy man's hospitality. It highlights that the problem is not the quantity, but the quality of the giving – born of a begrudging spirit, not true generosity.
• which thou hast eaten: (אָכַלְתָּ - ’āḵaltā) Implies the act is completed. The consumption has occurred, and the consequence will now follow. It suggests that by accepting the hospitality, the individual has unwittingly exposed themselves to the host's underlying negativity.
• shalt thou vomit up: (תְקִיאֶנָּה - tĕqî’enâ) The Hebrew verb conveys the physical act of expelling. Metaphorically, it expresses intense regret, disgust, and the strong desire to undo the experience. It signifies a profound spiritual and emotional rejection of the tainted hospitality. This imagery emphasizes revulsion at what has been taken in, connecting directly to the host's character, not the food itself.
• and lose: (וְשִׁחַתָּ - wĕšiḥattā) This word, from the root שָׁחַת (shahat), means to spoil, ruin, corrupt, or destroy. Here, it indicates utter waste or nullification. It implies that anything invested in this interaction becomes futile or corrupted.
• thy sweet words: (דְבָרֶיךָ - dĕbāreyḵā) This refers to the pleasantries, polite conversation, flattery, or perhaps even expressions of gratitude a guest might offer. "Sweet" (ממִלָּה - millâ, implied by context as pleasant/agreeable speech) emphasizes the pleasant nature of these words, highlighting their total waste. These words, meant to build connection or show respect, are dissolved or rendered meaningless by the host's bitter heart.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up": This phrase paints a vivid picture of extreme internal revulsion. It's not just a rejection, but a forceful, unpleasant expulsion. The problem is not necessarily the physical food but its association with the miserly host, making it metaphorically indigestible. It warns that trying to gain benefit or comfort from someone who is truly ill-disposed will lead to profound regret and spiritual indigestion.
• "and lose thy sweet words": This portion shifts from physical reaction to social and relational consequences. It means that any effort to establish rapport, offer compliments, or engage in pleasant conversation with such a person will be futile. The host's insincere heart renders any positive words or intentions from the guest utterly wasted or perverted, as true communion is impossible. The guest's well-intentioned efforts at polite discourse yield no good fruit.

Proverbs 23 8 Bonus section

The Hebrew concept of the "evil eye" (ayin ra), foundational to understanding Prv 23:6, denotes more than just a hateful stare. It fundamentally refers to a covetous, ungenerous, and envious spirit. A person with an ayin ra grudges their possessions, hates to give, and may even be resentful of others' prosperity or the mere act of giving a gift. Therefore, dining with such a person is perilous because their true heart attitude taints everything. It's not a literal poisoning of food, but a spiritual and emotional one. The advice is less about diet and more about company; bad company spoils good character, and bad-hearted givers can spoil good interactions and inner peace. The consequence is not just social awkwardness, but a defilement of spirit, hence the strong imagery of vomiting.

Proverbs 23 8 Commentary

Proverbs 23:8 serves as a potent warning against superficial social interactions, especially when motivated by self-interest or a desire for material gain from the ungenerous. It underscores that true fellowship transcends mere external appearances of hospitality. The wisdom here teaches discernment; a discerning person recognizes the true spirit of an offer. Partaking in hospitality rooted in stinginess, resentment, or a "bad eye" contaminates the recipient. The consequence is both internal disgust, desiring to undo the action, and external futility, where attempts at amicable conversation become wasted or corrupted. This principle transcends mere meals, applying to any form of "giving" or "favor" from a source with an ulterior, stingy, or malevolent motive, reminding us that an ill heart can poison any interaction. It encourages associating with those of true generosity and integrity, even if it means foregoing material advantage.

• Example: Accepting a job from a company with known exploitative practices might seem beneficial initially, but could later lead to moral disgust and regret ("vomiting up"), and any efforts to advocate for justice within the company might be "lost" or ignored.
• Example: Participating in a group or alliance where the leaders are known for backbiting or hidden agendas, one might find their positive contributions or efforts at collaboration are utterly "lost" and their spirit defiled by the toxic environment.