Proverbs 31:5
Proverbs 31:5 in Multiple Translations
lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.
For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.
For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
Lest he drinke and forget the decree, and change the iudgement of all the children of affliction.
Lest he drink, and forget the decree, And change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.
lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.
If they do that, they forget the laws that they have made, and they do not do what is right for poor/afflicted people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 31:5
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 31:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
פֶּן
יִ֭שְׁתֶּה
וְ/יִשְׁכַּ֣ח
מְחֻקָּ֑ק
וִֽ֝/ישַׁנֶּה
דִּ֣ין
כָּל
בְּנֵי
עֹֽנִי
פֶּן
pên
H6435
lest
Conj
יִ֭שְׁתֶּה
shâthâh
H8354
to drink
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/יִשְׁכַּ֣ח
shâkach
H7911
to forget
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
מְחֻקָּ֑ק
châqaq
H2710
to decree
V-Pual-Inf-c
וִֽ֝/ישַׁנֶּה
shânâh
H8138
to change
Conj | V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
דִּ֣ין
dîyn
H1779
judgment
N-ms
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
בְּנֵי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
עֹֽנִי
ʻŏnîy
H6040
affliction
N-ms
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 31:5
פֶּן
pên
H6435
"lest"
Conj
This word is used to express caution or warning, similar to saying 'lest' or 'beware that'. It is often used in the Bible to advise against certain actions or to warn of potential consequences.
Definition: conj 1) lest, not, beware lest adv 2) lest
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: (lest) (peradventure), that...not. See also: Genesis 3:3; Judges 14:15; Psalms 2:12.
יִ֭שְׁתֶּה
shâthâh
H8354
"to drink"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to drink, and it's used in many ways, like drinking from a cup or feasting. It's also used to describe being drunk or taking part in a big celebration. We see it in stories like the Last Supper in Matthew 26:27.
Definition: 1) to drink 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to drink 1a1a) of drinking cup of God's wrath, of slaughter, of wicked deeds (fig) 1a2) to feast 1b) (Niphal) to be drunk Aramaic equivalent: she.tah (שְׁתָה "to drink" H8355)
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of H8248 (שָׁקָה).) See also: Genesis 9:21; 2 Kings 19:24; Psalms 50:13.
וְ/יִשְׁכַּ֣ח
shâkach
H7911
"to forget"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To forget something means to mislay it or be oblivious to it. This Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe when people forget things, like God's commands. The KJV translates it as 'to forget' or 'at all'.
Definition: 1) to forget, ignore, wither 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to forget 1a2) to cease to care 1b) (Niphal) to be forgotten 1c) (Piel) to cause to forget 1d) (Hiphil) to make or cause to forget 1e) (Hithpael) to be forgotten Aramaic equivalent: she.khach (שְׁכַח "to find" H7912)
Usage: Occurs in 95 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, (cause to) forget. See also: Genesis 27:45; Psalms 106:13; Psalms 9:13.
מְחֻקָּ֑ק
châqaq
H2710
"to decree"
V-Pual-Inf-c
This Hebrew word means to decree or enact a law, like writing it in stone. It appears in Judges 5:14, where it talks about being a scribe. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's laws and decrees.
Definition: 1) to cut out, decree, inscribe, set, engrave, portray, govern 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut in 1a2) to cut in or on, cut upon, engrave, inscribe 1a3) to trace, mark out 1a4) to engrave, inscribe (of a law) 1b) (Poel) 1b1) to inscribe, enact, decree 1b2) one who decrees, lawgiver (participle) 1c) (Pual) something decreed, the law (participle) 1d) (Hophal) to be inscribed
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: appoint, decree, governor, grave, lawgiver, note, pourtray, print, set. See also: Genesis 49:10; Proverbs 8:27; Psalms 60:9.
וִֽ֝/ישַׁנֶּה
shânâh
H8138
"to change"
Conj | V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to repeat or do something again, as seen in Exodus when God repeats his command to Moses. It can also imply changing or altering something. In the Bible, it is used to describe actions like repeating a task or changing one's behavior.
Definition: 1) change, alter 1a) (Qal) to change 1b) (Piel) to change, alter 1c) (Pual) to be changed, mollified 1d) (Hithpael) to disguise oneself
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: do (speak, strike) again, alter, double, (be given to) change, disguise, (be) diverse, pervert, prefer, repeat, return, do the second time. See also: Genesis 41:32; Job 14:20; Psalms 34:1.
דִּ֣ין
dîyn
H1779
"judgment"
N-ms
Judgment or a legal suit is the meaning of this word, used to describe a cause, plea, or dispute in the Bible.
Definition: 1) judgment 1a) judgment 1b) cause, plea 1c) condemnation, judgment 1d) dispute, legal suit, strife 1e) government Aramaic equivalent: din (דִּין "judgment" H1780)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: cause, judgement, plea, strife. See also: Deuteronomy 17:8; Proverbs 20:8; Psalms 9:5.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בְּנֵי
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
עֹֽנִי
ʻŏnîy
H6040
"affliction"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means affliction or misery, describing a state of trouble or hardship, as seen in the experiences of the Israelites in the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) affliction, poverty, misery 1a) affliction 1b) poverty
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: afflicted(-ion), trouble. See also: Genesis 16:11; Job 36:21; Psalms 9:14.
Study Notes — Proverbs 31:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 31:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 31:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 31:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 31:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 31:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 31:5
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 31:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 31:5
- Sermons on Proverbs 31:5
Context — The Sayings for King Lemuel
3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul. 7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Habakkuk 2:5 | and wealth indeed betrays him. He is an arrogant man never at rest. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and like Death, he is never satisfied. He gathers all the nations to himself and collects all the peoples as his own. |
Proverbs 31:5 Summary
This verse is warning leaders that if they drink too much, they might forget about the rules and laws they are supposed to follow, and that would be unfair to people who are already being treated unfairly. It's like if a parent got drunk and forgot to take care of their kids - it wouldn't be fair to the kids. As it says in Proverbs 31:5, leaders have a big responsibility to make sure everyone is treated fairly, and they need to stay sober to do that (see also Romans 13:1-2). We can all learn from this verse by being mindful of our own responsibilities and making sure we're not doing things that might hurt others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main concern in Proverbs 31:5 about drinking and forgetting?
The main concern is that those in power, such as kings and rulers, will forget their responsibilities and the decrees they are supposed to uphold, leading to injustice for the oppressed, as also warned in Ecclesiastes 10:5-7.
Is it always wrong for leaders to drink wine or strong drink?
While Proverbs 31:4-5 warns against kings and rulers drinking wine or strong drink, Psalm 104:14-15 notes that wine can be a gift from God, but leaders must be mindful of their example and responsibilities, as seen in Proverbs 31:5.
What kind of justice is being referred to in this verse?
The justice referred to in Proverbs 31:5 is likely related to the protection and care of the oppressed, as seen in other passages like Isaiah 1:17 and Jeremiah 22:3, where God calls for leaders to defend the rights of the poor and vulnerable.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
Proverbs 31:5 serves as a warning to leaders about the dangers of excess and the importance of maintaining their responsibilities, which is followed by instructions on who should be given strong drink, such as those who are perishing or bitter in soul, in Proverbs 31:6-7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, as a leader or influencer, can ensure that I am not 'forgetting what is decreed' and neglecting my responsibilities?
- How can I balance the enjoyment of God's gifts, like wine, with the need to maintain my responsibilities and example, as seen in Proverbs 31:5?
- In what ways can I be an advocate for the oppressed and work towards justice, as called for in Proverbs 31:5 and other passages like Micah 6:8?
- What are some potential consequences of 'forgetting what is decreed' and neglecting my responsibilities, as warned in Proverbs 31:5?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 31:5
Lest they drink, and forget the law,.... The law of God by Moses, which the kings of Israel were obliged to write a copy of, and read over daily, to imprint it on their minds, that they might never
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 31:5
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: (It is) not for kings ... to drink wine. Let all intoxicating drink be put away from kings.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 31:5
Forget the law; the laws of God, by which they are to govern themselves and their kingdoms. Pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted; which may easily be done by a drunken judge, because drunkenness deprives a man of the use of reason; by which alone men can distinguish between right and wrong, and withal stirs up those passions which incline him both to precipitation and partiality.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 31:5
Proverbs 31:5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.Ver. 5. Lest they drink and forget the law.] Drunkenness causeth forgetfulness (hence the ancients feigned Bacchus to be the son of forgetfulness), and stands in full opposition to reason and religion: when the wine is in, the wit is out. Seneca saith, that for a man to think to be drunk, and yet to retain his right reason, is to think to drink rank poison, and yet not to die by it. And pervert the judgment, &c.] Pronounce an unrighteous sentence: which when Philip king of Macedon once did, the poor woman whose cause it was, presently appealed from Philip now drunk, to Philip when he should be sober again. The Carthagenians made a law that no magistrate of theirs should drink wine. The Persians permitted their kings to be drunk one day in a year only. Solon made a law at Athens that drunkenness in a prince should be punished with death. See Ecclesiastes 10:16-17. Plutarch in Sympos.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 31:5
Verse 5. Lest they drink, and forget the law] When they should be administering justice, they are found incapable of it; or, if they go into the judgment-seat, may pervert justice.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 31:5
5. of any of the afflicted] “Heb. of all the sons of affliction,” A.V. and R.V. marg.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 31:5
5. Lest they — Rather, he. Drink,… forget… law — îç÷÷, (mehhukkak,) that which is prescribed, the statute applicable to the particular case.
Sermons on Proverbs 31:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Why Does God Permit Evil in the World? by Charles E. Fuller | In this sermon, Dr. Charles E. discusses the book of Habakkuk in the Bible. He begins by referencing the familiar song "Jesus Saves" and asks the audience if they have heard it. He |