Proverbs Chapter 31 verse 6 Holy Bible
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:
read chapter 31 in ASV
Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:
read chapter 31 in BBE
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul:
read chapter 31 in DARBY
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
read chapter 31 in KJV
read chapter 31 in WBT
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; And wine to the bitter in soul:
read chapter 31 in WEB
Give strong drink to the perishing, And wine to the bitter in soul,
read chapter 31 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 6. - There are cases where strong drink may be properly administered. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish (Job 29:13; Job 31:19). As a restorative, a cordial, or a medicine, wine may he advantageously used; it has a place in the providential economy of God. "Use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities," was St. Paul's advice to Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23). It is supposed to have been in consideration of the injunction in the text that the ladies of Jerusalem provided for criminals on their way to the place of execution a drink of medicated wine, which might deaden the pain of suffering. This was the draught rejected by Christ, who willed to taste the full bitterness of death (Matthew 27:34; Mark 15:23). The Septuagint has, "to those that are in sorrow;" so the Vulgate, maerentibus, but this makes the two clauses tautological. Wine unto those that be of heavy hearts (Job 3:20). "Wine," says the psalmist, "maketh glad the heart of man" (Psalm 104:15). Says Homer, 'Iliad,' 6:261 - "Great is the strength Which generous wine imparts to wearied men." Wine, says St. Chrysostom ('Hom. in Ephes.,' 19), "has been given us for cheerfulness, not for drunkenness. Wouldest thou know where wine is good? Hear what the Scripture saith, 'Give wine to them, etc. And justly, because it can mitigate asperity and gloominess, and drive away clouds from the brow" (comp. Ecclus. 34 [31]:25, etc.).
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish.--For this is not waste, but an advantageous use of God's gift. (Comp. St. Paul's advice, 1Timothy 5:23.) It was out of a merciful remembrance of this passage that the pious ladies of Jerusalem used to provide a medicated drink for criminals condemned to be crucified, in order to deaden their pain. This was offered to our Lord (Matthew 27:34), but He would not drink it, as He wished to keep His mind clear to the last, and was willing to drink to the dregs the "cup which His Father had given Him."
