Proverbs 31:3 kjv

Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

Proverbs 31:3 nkjv

Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

Proverbs 31:3 niv

Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.

Proverbs 31:3 esv

Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.

Proverbs 31:3 nlt

do not waste your strength on women,
on those who ruin kings.

Proverbs 31 verses

Proverbs 31 3 Meaning

This verse serves as counsel to a king, urging him to preserve his vigor, resources, and character from practices and pursuits that undermine leadership and lead to ruin. It specifically warns against sexual profligacy and destructive indulgences that can corrupt a ruler's judgment, dissipate his strength, and ultimately lead to the downfall of his kingdom. It underscores the profound link between a leader's personal integrity and the welfare of his realm.

Proverbs 31 3 Context

Proverbs 31 forms a significant epilogue to the book of Proverbs, distinctively presented as the "words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him." This indicates that the wisdom imparted is from a queen to her royal son, outlining principles for righteous governance and personal conduct. Within this counsel, verses 1-9 focus on specific warnings to a king regarding destructive vices: the dangers of wine, strong drink, and, in verse 3, the perils associated with giving one's "strength to women" and "ways to that which destroys kings." Historically, ancient kings often faced unique temptations concerning power, wealth, and women, and their moral integrity directly impacted the stability and prosperity of their kingdoms. The cultural context implies a clear understanding that a king's vitality, focus, and resources, when misdirected by licentious pursuits, lead to personal corruption and political decline. The advice is not a polemic against women in general, but against the seductive and corrupting influence that diverts a ruler from his divine mandate and just responsibilities.

Proverbs 31 3 Word analysis

• Do not give: This phrase conveys a strong prohibition, urging abstention. It implies an active choice to withhold one's vital essence or devotion from something destructive.
• your strength (כֹּחַ - kôḥ): Refers to a person's vital power, vigor, physical capabilities, wealth, or overall capacity to perform and lead. For a king, this encompasses his resources, moral authority, energy, and ability to rule justly. Giving this strength away means depleting or misdirecting it towards unworthy or destructive pursuits.
• to women (לְנָשִׁים - l'nāšîm): This refers specifically to women who would lead one astray, particularly through sexual immorality or excessive indulgence. It's not a condemnation of women in general, but a warning against giving over one's life force to licentious relationships, which in other proverbs are depicted as the "strange woman" or harlot who brings ruin (e.g., Prov 5, 7). This aligns with the historical realities of royal courts where promiscuity and many wives/concubines could distract and corrupt.
• nor your ways (דְרָכֶיךָ - d'rākekhā): Your path, course of life, conduct, character, or moral choices. This extends the warning from a specific act to one's entire pattern of behavior and life trajectory.
• to that which destroys (לְמַחַת - l'machath): The root means to crush, strike down, dissolve, or bring to naught. It denotes ruin, corruption, or utter destruction. This highlights the inevitable consequence of giving oneself over to such vices.
• kings (מְלָכִין - m'lākîm): The specific mention of "kings" underscores the high stakes for rulers. A king's downfall due to personal moral failure has far-reaching consequences for the entire nation he governs. It serves as a stark reminder of the unique vulnerabilities and responsibilities of leadership.

• "Do not give your strength to women": This phrase warns against the expenditure of one's core vitality, time, resources, and emotional or mental capacity on promiscuous or excessive sexual relationships. Such indulgence leads to physical exhaustion, financial depletion, moral compromise, and distraction from a leader's primary responsibilities. The "strength" (כֹּחַ - kôḥ) represents not just physical power but all that empowers one's leadership.
• "nor your ways to that which destroys kings": This expands the warning, suggesting that not only illicit sexual entanglement but also any course of conduct (דֶּרֶךְ - derekh) that undermines or corrupts the moral and practical judgment of a ruler will lead to his downfall. This often refers implicitly to lust, excess, and unbridled desires, but also anything that perverts justice or responsibility, making the king unfit to rule (מַחַת - machath implies ruin, corruption, and the dissolution of power).

Proverbs 31 3 Bonus section

This verse implies a clear understanding of the 'lust of the flesh' and 'lust of the eyes' which are powerful temptations. For a king, such indulgences often led to financial burdens (paying for courtesans, supporting illegitimate children), political instability (favoritism or injustice due to personal ties), and a tarnished reputation that undermined public trust. The phrase "that which destroys kings" can be broadly interpreted beyond just sexual immorality to include any excess that corrupts judgment and capability, such as gluttony or dependence on powerful, negative influences, though the immediate context emphasizes sexual dissipation. The mother’s counsel highlights the necessity of self-discipline for effective and righteous leadership, indicating that a lack thereof has far-reaching consequences not only for the individual but for all those under his rule.

Proverbs 31 3 Commentary

Proverbs 31:3 is a poignant caution given by a queen mother to her son, King Lemuel, about the perils that can beset a ruler. The core message is one of preservation of strength and integrity. "Strength" (כֹּחַ) encompasses a king's vigor, his resources (including financial), his moral resolve, and his capacity for righteous governance. Giving this "strength to women" is a specific warning against dissipation through sexual indulgence, particularly with "strange women" or harlots as described elsewhere in Proverbs, who drain one's resources and corrupt one's character. The admonition extends to "your ways," meaning one's life conduct and choices, indicating that such profligacy shapes a destructive path. The outcome is explicit: "that which destroys kings." This emphasizes that for a leader, personal moral compromise is not merely a private vice but a public danger that leads to ruin, loss of authority, and the potential collapse of his kingdom. It highlights the direct correlation between a leader's self-control, particularly in sexual matters, and his ability to rule with justice and wisdom. The verse implores the king to maintain clarity of mind and purity of heart to uphold his God-given responsibilities.

Practical applications for any leader (in family, church, or community) include:

• Guarding against distractions that sap energy and focus.
• Maintaining strict sexual purity to preserve integrity and reputation.
• Recognizing how personal indulgences can erode moral authority and hinder effectiveness.
• Prioritizing duty and responsibilities over fleeting pleasures.