Proverbs 4:17
For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֶ֣חֶם
the bread
H3899
לֶ֣חֶם
the bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
3 of 7
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
Historical Context
Amos 6:12-13 condemned Israel for turning 'judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock...which rejoice in a thing of nought.' Moral corruption inverts values so completely that evil becomes good. Romans 1:28-32 describes similar progression where people not only do evil but 'have pleasure in them that do them.'
Questions for Reflection
- What cultural evils have become so normalized they no longer shock or disturb?
- How can Christians maintain moral sensitivity in cultures that celebrate wickedness?
- What practices help you 'taste and see that the LORD is good' rather than acquiring taste for evil?
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Analysis & Commentary
The wicked eat wickedness like bread and drink violence like wine - it sustains them. The Hebrew 'lechem' (bread) and 'yayin' (wine) are basic sustenance. What should horrify them has become their nourishment. Moral inversion is complete: they feast on what should starve them. This illustrates total depravity - not that humans are as evil as possible, but that sin pervades every aspect of life when given full reign.