Proverbs 31:4 kjv
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
Proverbs 31:4 nkjv
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
Proverbs 31:4 niv
It is not for kings, Lemuel? it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
Proverbs 31:4 esv
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,
Proverbs 31:4 nlt
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine.
Rulers should not crave alcohol.
Proverbs 31 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 10:9 | “Do not drink wine or strong drink... when you come into the tent of meeting..." | Prohibition for priests in service, ensuring holiness and sound judgment. |
| Num 6:3 | "...shall separate himself from wine and strong drink..." | Requirement for Nazirite vow, signifying dedication and abstinence. |
| Prov 20:1 | Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler... | Warning against the deceptive and harmful nature of alcohol. |
| Prov 23:29-35 | Who has woe? Who has sorrow? ...Those who tarry long over wine... | Vivid description of the negative consequences of drunkenness. |
| Isa 5:11-12 | Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may pursue strong drink... | Condemnation of those addicted to alcohol and heedless of God's work. |
| Isa 28:7 | These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink... | Priests and prophets are condemned for being led astray by alcohol. |
| Hos 4:11 | Wine and new wine take away the understanding. | Alcohol clouds intellect and moral judgment. |
| Hab 2:5 | Moreover, wine is a traitorous man, haughty and never at rest... | Describes the treacherous nature of excessive drinking. |
| Rom 13:3-4 | For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad... | Emphasizes the ruler's divine mandate to administer justice. |
| Rom 14:21 | It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or anything that causes your brother to stumble. | Christian liberty should not cause others to fall. |
| 1 Cor 6:10 | Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. | Drunkenness is a sin that excludes from God's kingdom. |
| Eph 5:18 | And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit... | Direct command against drunkenness, contrasted with spiritual fullness. |
| 1 Tim 3:3 | An overseer must not be a drunkard... | Requirement for spiritual leaders to be sober and self-controlled. |
| Titus 1:7 | For an overseer, as God's steward, must be blameless... not addicted to wine. | Similar requirement for elders in the church. |
| Deut 17:18-20 | And when he sits on the throne... he shall write for himself a copy... | Responsibilities of the king to study and obey God's law. |
| Dan 5:1-4 | King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand. | Example of a king whose excessive feasting and revelry led to downfall. |
| Luke 21:34 | "But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down... with drunkenness..." | Jesus' warning to his disciples against being overcome by worldly distractions. |
| Nah 1:10 | ...drenched as with their drink, they will be consumed like dry stubble. | Illustrates the destructive end for those steeped in drink. |
| Prov 31:5 | Lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. | Immediate follow-up verse explaining the why for the prohibition for rulers. |
| Judg 13:4 | ...therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink... | Instruction to Samson's mother regarding his Nazirite consecration, linked to divine purpose. |
| Isa 56:12 | "Come," they say, "let us get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink..." | Warning against careless indulgence of those who are meant to be watchmen. |
Proverbs 31 verses
Proverbs 31 4 Meaning
This verse emphatically declares that it is inappropriate and forbidden for kings and rulers to consume wine and crave strong drink. It stresses that those in positions of authority must maintain absolute clarity of mind and uncompromised judgment to fulfill their weighty responsibilities, especially regarding justice and the protection of the vulnerable. The prohibition is not merely a suggestion but a definitive standard for righteous leadership.
Proverbs 31 4 Context
Proverbs 31 begins with the unique phrase, "The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him." This indicates that the following counsel (verses 1-9) is an instruction given by a queen mother to her son, a king, regarding his royal duties and moral conduct. Specifically, this section focuses on the characteristics of a righteous ruler, highlighting virtues like wise judgment, compassion for the poor, and speaking for the voiceless. Verse 4 stands as a critical warning within this counsel, directly addressing a temptation common among those in power—the misuse of alcohol. Historically, ancient Near Eastern kings often engaged in extravagant banquets and sometimes drunkenness. The queen's teaching serves as a sharp contrast to such worldly indulgence, grounding true leadership in moral uprightness and a clear mind, essential for administering impartial justice in a society where the ruler held ultimate judicial authority.
Proverbs 31 4 Word analysis
- It is not for kings: (לֹא לַמְּלָכִים, lo lammelakhim). The word "lōʼ" (not) conveys an absolute and strong prohibition. "Lamməlākîm" (for the kings) specifically designates the high office and unique responsibilities associated with it. The immediate repetition of "it is not for kings" at the start of the verse powerfully emphasizes the seriousness and definitive nature of this admonition. Kings are held to a distinct standard; their authority demands a particular purity of conduct. Their exalted position is meant for diligent rule, not personal gratification.
- O Lemuel: (לְמוּאֵל, Lemuel). This is a personal address to the king, whose name possibly means "devoted to God" or "for God." This direct and intimate address from a mother to her son highlights the deeply personal and profound nature of this instruction. The king's very identity and calling, "for God," imply a necessary commitment to righteousness and a clear mind in his governance.
- to drink wine: (שְׁתוֹת יַיִן, shetot yayin). "Yayin" (wine) is the common biblical term for fermented grape juice. While wine consumption itself isn't universally forbidden in the Bible, its abuse is consistently condemned. For a king, however, the act of drinking wine is prohibited because it carries the potential to dull the senses, impair decision-making, and lead to unjust governance, fundamentally undermining the duties of his office.
- nor for rulers: (וּלְרֹזְנִים, u-lerozenim). "Rôzənîm" refers to high-ranking officials, princes, or governing authorities, extending the prohibition beyond the king himself to include anyone sharing in the judicial and administrative power of the state. This widens the scope, affirming that all those who administer justice or wield authority for the welfare of the people must adhere to this same standard of sobriety.
- to crave strong drink: (חֵמֶד שֵׁכָר, khemed shekhar). "Ḥēmeḏ" (crave, desire, lust) implies a powerful, often illicit or uncontrolled, longing, pointing towards an addictive propensity rather than casual consumption. "Šēḵār" (strong drink) refers to any intoxicating beverage other than wine, potentially more potent or distilled. This phrase condemns not only the act of drinking such liquor but the very desire for it, suggesting that the ruler's heart should not be enticed by such indulgences that undermine clear thought and righteous action. It signifies a profound lack of self-control, fundamentally incompatible with leading a nation justly.
Proverbs 31 4 Bonus section
This counsel to King Lemuel resonates through various aspects of biblical teaching beyond literal alcohol consumption. It highlights the principle that those in authority, particularly those serving God's people or embodying His justice, must maintain unblemished integrity and a mind unclouded by earthly distractions or destructive cravings. This is paralleled in the New Testament's requirements for overseers (bishops/elders) and deacons to be "sober-minded" and "not addicted to wine," signifying the need for clear judgment in spiritual leadership as well. The very heart of this admonition is self-control and stewardship of responsibility, not allowing personal pleasure or addiction to impede one's God-given calling to serve and protect.
Proverbs 31 4 Commentary
Proverbs 31:4 is a powerful instruction regarding the character and conduct essential for those in leadership. The queen mother explicitly warns her royal son, Lemuel, against the consumption and craving of alcohol. The repetition and specific mention of both wine and "strong drink" (a potentially more potent intoxicating beverage) emphasize the severity of the warning. This prohibition is rooted in the practical consequences of intoxication: impaired judgment, forgetfulness of duties, and the perversion of justice, especially for the vulnerable and afflicted (as elaborated in verse 5). A ruler's primary duty is to dispense impartial justice and protect the rights of the poor and needy. Alcohol clouds the mind, making discernment difficult, integrity compromised, and empathy diminished, thus hindering a ruler's ability to fulfill this sacred trust. True kingly wisdom and strength come from a sober mind dedicated to righteousness, not from personal indulgence.
Examples: A king under the influence might sign unjust decrees, favor the wealthy over the poor, or be oblivious to the suffering of his people. A judge clouded by drink cannot impartially weigh evidence or issue a fair verdict. Any leader whose mind is dulled by substance use cannot adequately provide clear leadership, protect their constituents, or fulfill the mandate of their office.