Proverbs 23:29
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
Original Language Analysis
לְמִ֨י
H4310
לְמִ֨י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 14
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
לְמִ֪י
H4310
לְמִ֪י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
3 of 14
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
לְמִ֤י
H4310
לְמִ֤י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
5 of 14
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
לְמִ֥י
H4310
לְמִ֥י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
7 of 14
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
שִׂ֗יחַ
who hath babbling
H7879
שִׂ֗יחַ
who hath babbling
Strong's:
H7879
Word #:
8 of 14
a contemplation; by implication, an utterance
לְ֭מִי
H4310
לְ֭מִי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
9 of 14
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
חִנָּ֑ם
without cause
H2600
חִנָּ֑ם
without cause
Strong's:
H2600
Word #:
11 of 14
gratis, i.e., devoid of cost, reason or advantage
לְ֝מִ֗י
H4310
לְ֝מִ֗י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
12 of 14
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
Cross References
Ephesians 5:18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;Isaiah 5:22Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:Isaiah 5:11Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!Proverbs 23:21For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.Proverbs 20:1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.Nahum 1:10For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.Genesis 49:12His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.2 Samuel 13:28Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
Historical Context
Ancient cultures knew wine's dangers alongside its benefits. Biblical wisdom acknowledges wine's legitimate use (Psalm 104:15) while warning repeatedly against intoxication's devastating consequences.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you use alcohol (or any substance) moderately with self-control, or does it control you?
- What are you seeking in substances that should be found in God alone?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow?' begins a vivid description of the drunkard's misery. The rhetorical questions catalogue suffering: woe, sorrow, contentions, babbling, wounds, red eyes. The answer comes in verse 30: 'They that tarry long at the wine.' Drunkenness produces comprehensive devastation—relational conflict ('contentions'), incoherent speech ('babbling'), physical injury ('wounds without cause'), and bloodshot eyes. What begins as pleasure ends in misery. Alcohol promises escape but delivers bondage and suffering. While Scripture permits moderate wine consumption, it consistently warns against drunkenness. Believers must exercise self-control and avoid enslaving themselves to any substance. Don't seek comfort or joy in bottles; find satisfaction in God alone.