Proverbs 23:8
Proverbs 23:8 in Multiple Translations
You will vomit up what little you have eaten and waste your pleasant words.
The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, And lose thy sweet words.
The food which you have taken will come up again, and your pleasing words will be wasted.
You'll vomit up the little pieces you've eaten, and your kind words of appreciation will be wasted.
Thou shalt vomit thy morsels that thou hast eaten, and thou shalt lose thy sweete wordes.
Thy morsel thou hast eaten thou dost vomit up, And hast marred thy words that [are] sweet.
You will vomit up the morsel which you have eaten and waste your pleasant words.
The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
The meats which thou hadst eaten, thou shalt vomit up: and shalt loose thy beautiful words.
When you realize what he is really thinking, it will cause you to want to vomit what you have eaten; and your kind words telling him that you are enjoying the meal will be wasted.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 23:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 23:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
פִּֽתְּ/ךָ
אָכַ֥לְתָּ
תְקִיאֶ֑/נָּה
וְ֝/שִׁחַ֗תָּ
דְּבָרֶ֥י/ךָ
הַ/נְּעִימִֽים
פִּֽתְּ/ךָ
path
H6595
morsel
N-fs | Suff
אָכַ֥לְתָּ
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
תְקִיאֶ֑/נָּה
qôwʼ
H6958
to vomit
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms | Suff
וְ֝/שִׁחַ֗תָּ
shâchath
H7843
to ruin
Conj | V-Piel-2ms
דְּבָרֶ֥י/ךָ
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-mp | Suff
הַ/נְּעִימִֽים
nâʻîym
H5273
pleasant
Art | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 23:8
פִּֽתְּ/ךָ
path
H6595
"morsel"
N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a small piece of food, like a bite of bread. It is used in passages like Genesis and Exodus to describe eating. This word is about sharing a meal.
Definition: fragment, bit, morsel (of bread), piece Also means: pa.tot (פָּתוֹת "morsel" H6595B)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: meat, morsel, piece. See also: Genesis 18:5; 2 Samuel 12:3; Psalms 147:17.
אָכַ֥לְתָּ
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
תְקִיאֶ֑/נָּה
qôwʼ
H6958
"to vomit"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms | Suff
This word means to vomit or spue out, and can be used literally or figuratively, as in a land spewing out its inhabitants. It appears in various forms in the Bible.
Definition: 1) to vomit up, spue out, disgorge 1a) (Qal) to vomit 1b) (Hiphil) to vomit up 1b1) of land spewing out its inhabitants (fig) 1b2) vomiting, disgorging
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: spue (out), vomit (out, up, up again). See also: Leviticus 18:25; Job 20:15; Proverbs 23:8.
וְ֝/שִׁחַ֗תָּ
shâchath
H7843
"to ruin"
Conj | V-Piel-2ms
This verb means to ruin or destroy something, and it is used in various forms throughout the Bible to describe corruption and decay.
Definition: 1) to destroy, corrupt, go to ruin, decay 1a) (Niphal) to be marred, be spoiled, be corrupted, be corrupt, be injured, be ruined, be rotted 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to spoil, ruin 1b2) to pervert, corrupt, deal corruptly (morally) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to spoil, ruin, destroy 1c2) to pervert, corrupt (morally) 1c3) destroyer (participle) 1d) (Hophal) spoiled, ruined (participle) Aramaic equivalent: she.chat (שְׁחַת "to corrupt" H7844)
Usage: Occurs in 136 OT verses. KJV: batter, cast off, corrupt(-er, thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill, spoiler, [idiom] utterly, waste(-r). See also: Genesis 6:11; Psalms 14:1; Psalms 53:2.
דְּבָרֶ֥י/ךָ
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-mp | Suff
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
הַ/נְּעִימִֽים
nâʻîym
H5273
"pleasant"
Art | Adj
This Hebrew word describes something that sounds pleasant or sweet, like music. It is used in Psalm 100:5 to describe the pleasantness of God's works. The word also appears in other passages, such as 2 Samuel 23:1.
Definition: 1) pleasant, delightful, sweet, lovely, agreeable 1a) delightful 1b) lovely, beautiful (physical)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: pleasant(-ure), sweet. See also: 2 Samuel 1:23; Psalms 133:1; Psalms 16:6.
Study Notes — Proverbs 23:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Proverbs 23:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 23:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 23:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 23:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 23:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 23:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 23:8
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 23:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 23:8
Context — Saying 9
6Do not eat the bread of a stingy man, and do not crave his delicacies;
7for he is keeping track, inwardly counting the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
8You will vomit up what little you have eaten and waste your pleasant words.
9Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. 10Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,Proverbs 23:8 Summary
Proverbs 23:8 is warning us about the dangers of trying to impress someone who doesn't really care about us. When we try to win someone over who is not genuinely interested in our well-being, we can end up feeling used and disrespected, like we've wasted our time and energy. This is like vomiting up the little food we've eaten, as the verse says. Instead, we should focus on building relationships with people who truly value and respect us, as encouraged in John 13:35 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. By being discerning and wise in our relationships, we can use our words to build others up and reflect the kindness and generosity of God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'vomit up what little you have eaten' in Proverbs 23:8?
This phrase is a metaphor for the unpleasant consequences of trying to gain favor with someone who is not genuinely interested in your well-being, as seen in the context of Proverbs 23:6-7, where the stingy man only appears to be generous. This concept is also reflected in Luke 6:32-33, where Jesus teaches that true generosity is not motivated by self-interest.
How can I avoid wasting my 'pleasant words' as warned in Proverbs 23:8?
To avoid wasting your words, be discerning about the company you keep and the conversations you engage in, as advised in Proverbs 23:9, where it says not to speak to a fool. Instead, seek out relationships where you can share your thoughts and feelings with those who value and respect you, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:29.
Is Proverbs 23:8 saying that I should never accept hospitality from someone who is stingy?
While Proverbs 23:8 does warn against the dangers of trying to gain favor with someone who is not genuinely interested in your well-being, it is not necessarily saying that you should never accept hospitality from someone who is stingy. However, it does encourage you to be cautious and discerning in such situations, as seen in Proverbs 23:6-7, and to prioritize relationships where you can experience true generosity and kindness, as seen in Acts 2:44-45.
How does Proverbs 23:8 relate to other Bible teachings about relationships and communication?
Proverbs 23:8 is part of a larger biblical theme that emphasizes the importance of wise and discerning relationships, as seen in Proverbs 12:26 and 27:6. It also reflects the biblical value of using your words to build others up, rather than tearing them down, as taught in Ephesians 4:29-32 and Colossians 4:6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some situations in my life where I may be trying to gain favor with someone who is not genuinely interested in my well-being, and how can I respond in a way that honors God?
- How can I cultivate discernment and wisdom in my relationships, so that I can avoid wasting my words and instead use them to build others up?
- What does it mean for me to 'vomit up what little I have eaten' in a spiritual sense, and how can I avoid this consequence in my own life?
- How can I prioritize relationships where I can experience true generosity and kindness, and how can I reflect this kind of generosity and kindness to others?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 23:8
The morsel [which] thou hast eaten, shalt thou vomit up,.... It shall turn in thy stomach, thou shall not be able to keep it, when thou understandest thou art not welcome; or thou wilt wish thou
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 23:8
The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words. The morsel (which) thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 23:8
When thou perceivest his churlish disposition and carriage, his meat will be loathsome to thee, and thou wilt wish either that thou hadst never eaten it, or that thou couldst vomit it up again. Thy sweet words; thy pleasant discourse, wherewith thou didst adorn his table, and design both to delight and profit him, is lost, and of no effect to him, and thou wilt be ready to repent of it.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 23:8
Proverbs 23:8 The morsel [which] thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.Ver. 8. The morsel which thou hast eaten.] That is, that which thou hast eaten, shall be so ill-sauced that thou shalt wish it up again, and thou shalt repent thee of thy compliments, or of whatsoever good speech thou hast used at table; which was the salt wherewith our Saviour used to sprinkle the dishes wherever he dined.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 23:8
(8) Shalt thou vomit up.—Shalt be disgusted at having partaken of hospitality which was not freely offered to thee. And lose thy sweet words.—All thy civil speeches and thanks for the cold welcome thou hast had.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 23:8
Verse 8. The morsel which thou hast eaten] On reflection thou wilt even blame thyself for having accepted his invitation.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 23:8
8. The feast will be in every way a failure: the food that should nourish will nauseate thee, and thy attempts at pleasant conversation will be wasted.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 23:8
6-8. An evil eye — Is evil of eye: a metaphor denoting a malignant disposition or design — an envious, avaricious, or evil-designing mind.Deuteronomy 15:7-9; Matthew 20:15. The word ùׁ ?òø.