Proverbs Chapter 23 · Verse 2
And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
Original Language Analysis
וְשַׂמְתָּ֣
And put
H7760
וְשַׂמְתָּ֣
And put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 7
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
4 of 7
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
בַּ֖עַל
if thou be a man given
H1167
בַּ֖עַל
if thou be a man given
Strong's:
H1167
Word #:
5 of 7
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
Cross References
Historical Context
Royal feasts displayed abundance and luxury. The temptation to overindulge was real, but doing so revealed lack of self-control and could result in loss of favor or manipulation by the host.
Questions for Reflection
- What appetites do you need to treat as seriously dangerous and requiring radical control?
- How does the call to mortify the flesh apply to your eating habits and physical desires?
- In what ways might uncontrolled appetite compromise your integrity or judgment?
Analysis & Commentary
Put 'a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.' This vivid imagery counsels radical self-control with food, especially in the ruler's presence. The Hebrew 'baal nephesh' (given to appetite/master of desire) describes gluttony. The knife metaphor suggests treating unchecked appetite as mortally dangerous. Reformed theology recognizes gluttony as sin—failure of self-control and idolatry of physical pleasure. This applies beyond food to all appetites. We must mortify the flesh (Colossians 3:5), treating uncontrolled desire as life-threatening.