What does "give strong drink" mean in the context of Proverbs 31:6? Setting the scene Proverbs 31:4-7 forms one unified thought. Verses 4-5 warn kings against drinking because clear judgment is essential for rulers; verses 6-7 then pivot to those who have no power, no hope, and no future. BSB text: “Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul. Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his misery no more.” Key Hebrew terms • “Strong drink” – šēkār: a fermented beverage made from grain or fruit; higher in alcohol than ordinary wine, roughly comparable to ancient beer or mead. • “Wine” – yayin: standard grape wine. • “Perishing” – ’ōbēd: one who is wasting away, ruined, near death. • “Bitter in soul” – marê nephesh: crushed, anguished, despairing inside. What the command is—and is not—saying • It is a compassionate provision for extreme distress, not a blanket license for casual drunkenness. • Context restricts recipients to those “perishing” or “bitter in soul”—the terminally ill, mortally wounded, or utterly devastated. • Kings and leaders are explicitly excluded (vv. 4-5); their duty is to stay sober so they can administer justice on behalf of the very people verse 6 addresses. • The intent is temporary relief—“forget…misery”—much like medicinal pain management (compare Mark 15:23, where Jesus is offered wine mixed with myrrh). How the rest of Scripture balances the idea • Compassionate use: Job 3:20-22; Isaiah 38:15-17—relief for the suffering. • Warning against abuse: Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35; Isaiah 5:11. • Legitimate enjoyment in moderation: Psalm 104:14-15. Taken together, Scripture presents alcohol as a gift that can gladden (Psalm 104) or destroy (Proverbs 23), depending on context and heart posture. Why “strong drink” instead of mere sympathy? • Ancient Israel lacked advanced analgesics. Fermented drink provided sedation and slight euphoria, easing physical pain and emotional anguish. • The practice is akin to modern hospice care, where medication is given not to hasten death but to reduce suffering for those “perishing.” • By directing strong drink to the afflicted, society offers tangible mercy without compromising justice or leadership integrity. Practical takeaways today • Leaders must remain clear-headed; compassion must never cloud judgment, yet judgment must always be exercised with compassion. • Offering real help to the hopeless may include medical, material, and emotional support—today’s equivalents of “strong drink.” • Scripture never glamorizes intoxication; its only positive portrayal is controlled, purposeful, and restrained. • Believers can affirm both the literal wisdom of Proverbs 31:6 and the broader biblical mandate to “Bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). In summary “Give strong drink” in Proverbs 31:6 is a literal, compassionate directive to ease the suffering of those at death’s door or crushed in spirit, while preserving sober leadership for righteous governance. It highlights God’s concern for both justice and mercy—a balance still vital for believers today. |
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