Lexical Summary loa: No, not Original Word: לֹעַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance throat From luwa'; the gullet -- throat. see HEBREW luwa' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom lua Definition probably throat NASB Translation throat (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [לֹעַ] noun [masculine] probably throat> (external) (compare Late Hebrew לוֺעַ jaw, cheek, Aramaic לוֺעָא,  id.); — וְשַׂמְתָּ֫ שַׂכִּין בְּלֹעֶ֑ךָ Proverbs 23:2 and thou shalt put a knife to thy throat (figurative for restraining oneself from indulgence in food). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery The noun לֹעַ pictures the “throat,” the narrow passage through which both breath and food travel. In the Hebrew mind the throat was a vulnerable gateway: cut it and life ends; guard it and life is preserved. Because the throat is the channel for food, it also became a vivid metaphor for appetite and desire—especially uncontrolled desire that threatens spiritual well-being (compare Job 16:13; Isaiah 5:14 where other Hebrew terms for throat or mouth portray insatiable craving). Biblical Occurrence Proverbs 23:2 is the lone occurrence of לֹעַ: “and put a knife to your throat if you possess a great appetite” (Berean Standard Bible). The counsel appears within a short collection of sayings (Proverbs 23:1-3) addressing the danger of indulgence at a ruler’s table. By targeting the throat, the proverb urges decisive, even drastic, self-restraint when confronted by delicacies that can seduce the heart away from wisdom. Cultural and Historical Background Banquets in the Ancient Near East were opportunities to curry political favor or display status. Excess at such meals could leave a guest indebted to a host or dulled in discernment (Proverbs 23:6-8). A sharp object at the throat is shocking imagery, yet it matched the severity of the social risk. By the time of the monarchy, Israel’s sages recognized that gluttony was not a harmless vice but a foothold for manipulation and moral compromise (Proverbs 23:20-21). Theological Significance 1. Stewardship of the body: Scripture consistently ties physical appetites to spiritual health. An undisciplined throat foreshadows an undisciplined life (Proverbs 25:28). Practical Ministry Applications • Personal discipleship: Encourage believers to identify areas where physical appetite—food, possessions, entertainment—threatens obedience, then apply radical measures of accountability (Matthew 5:29-30). Comparative Biblical Parallels • Proverbs 25:16, 27 warns against excess honey; moderation preserves enjoyment. Christological Reflections Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life (John 6:35), practiced perfect self-control, fasting forty days in the wilderness and repelling Satan’s temptation to misuse power for physical gratification. His example fulfills the wisdom ideal of Proverbs 23:2 and empowers believers to “walk by the Spirit” and not gratify the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Summary לֹעַ, though occurring only once, conveys a forceful lesson: the throat that sustains life can also endanger it when ruled by appetite. Scripture therefore calls for vigilant, even drastic, self-control so that physical desires serve, rather than master, the soul devoted to God. Forms and Transliterations בְּלֹעֶ֑ךָ בלעך bə·lō·‘e·ḵā bəlō‘eḵā beloEchaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 23:2 HEB: וְשַׂמְתָּ֣ שַׂכִּ֣ין בְּלֹעֶ֑ךָ אִם־ בַּ֖עַל NAS: a knife to your throat If KJV: a knife to thy throat, if thou [be] a man given INT: and put A knife to your throat If man 1 Occurrence |
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