The Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:6

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

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. 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" (Psalms 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. Ecclesiasticus 34:25 (31), etc.).

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Proverbs 31:1-9When children are under the mother's eye, she has an opportunity of fashioning their minds aright. Those who are grown up, should often call to mind the good teaching they received when children. The many awful instance…Matthew Henry commentaryMaternal Counsels to King LemuelMATERNAL COUNSELS TO KING LEMUEL. Most interpreters are of opinion that Lemuel is Solomon; the name signifies one that is for God, or devoted to God; and so it agrees well enough with that honourable name which, by divi…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:1-31EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:1-9Part VIII. SECOND APPENDIX TO THE SECOND COLLECTION, containing "the words of Lemuel" on the subjects of impurity and intemperance.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:1-31The words of Lernuel The fear of God is the leading thought in these meditations; and this in a twofold relation—to the king in his rule in the state, and the woman in her rule in the house.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:2-9A mother's maxims The mother's heart, deep in emotions of affection and urgent solicitude, is expressed in the passionate form of the address. I. ON WOMEN OR THE DUTY OF CHASTITY. (Proverbs 31:3.) The weakness of this p…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:2-9Here follows the exhortation, which seems to come from the same source as the "burden" of Agur above. In this section the connection and parallelism of the parts are exhibited by repetition of thought and often of words…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Proverbs 31:4-7The second admonition. A warning against inebriety, and concerning a proper use of strong drink.Joseph S. Exell and contributors