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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 25:16 If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/25-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/20_Pro_25_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 25:16 - More Proverbs of Solomon" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/25-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/25-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/25.htm">Chapter 25</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/25-15.htm" title="Proverbs 25:15">◄</a> Proverbs 25:16 <a href="/proverbs/25-17.htm" title="Proverbs 25:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/25.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/25.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/25.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/25.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/25.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Have you found honey? Eat <i>only</i> what you need, So that you do not have it in excess and vomit it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/25.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Have you found honey? Eat <i>only</i> what you need, Lest you have it in excess and vomit it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Have you found honey? Eat <i>only</i> enough for you, Lest you have more than your fill and vomit it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Have you found [pleasure sweet like] honey? Eat only as much as you need, Otherwise, being filled excessively, you vomit it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you&#8217ll get sick from it and vomit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/25.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Eating too much honey can make you sick. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/25.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee; lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When you find honey, eat only as much as you need. Otherwise, you will have too much and vomit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/25.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Never eat more honey than you need; too much may make you vomit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/25.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If you find some honey, eat only what you need. Take too much, and you'll vomit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/25.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When you find honey, eat only what is sufficient for you, lest you become stuffed with it and vomit it up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled with it, and vomit it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/25.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You have found honey—eat your sufficiency, "" Lest you are satiated [with] it, and have vomited it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Honey thou hast found -- eat thy sufficiency, Lest thou be satiated with it, and hast vomited it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou didst find honey; eat thy sufficiency, lest thou shalt be satiated, and thou vomit it forth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You have discovered honey; eat what is sufficient for you, lest perhaps, being filled up, you may vomit it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/25.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If you find honey, eat only what you need, lest you have your fill and vomit it up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, or else, having too much, you will vomit it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />When you find honey, eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled with it and vomit it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/25.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Whenever you have found honey, eat enough for you, lest when you are full, you vomit it.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/25.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/25.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Having found honey, eat <i>only</i> what is enough, lest haply thou be filled, and vomit it up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/25-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=5186" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm">More Proverbs of Solomon</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4672.htm" title="4672: mā·ṣā·ṯā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To attain to, find. ">If you find</a> <a href="/hebrew/1706.htm" title="1706: də·ḇaš (N-ms) -- Honey. From an unused root meaning to be gummy; honey; by analogy, syrup.">honey,</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ĕ·ḵōl (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">eat</a> <a href="/hebrew/1767.htm" title="1767: day·ye·kā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Sufficiency, enough. Of uncertain derivation; enough, used chiefly with preposition in phrases.">just what you need,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">lest</a> <a href="/hebrew/7646.htm" title="7646: tiś·bā·‘en·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 3mse) -- To be sated, satisfied or surfeited. Or sabeay; a primitive root; to sate, i.e. Fill to satisfaction.">you have too much</a> <a href="/hebrew/6958.htm" title="6958: wa·hă·qê·ṯōw (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-2ms:: 3ms) -- Spue out, vomit out, up, up again. Or qayah; a primitive root; to vomit.">and vomit it up.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-1.htm">Proverbs 23:1-3</a></span><br />When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is set before you, / and put a knife to your throat if you possess a great appetite. / Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-13.htm">Proverbs 24:13-14</a></span><br />Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste. / Know therefore that wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will never be cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:16-18</a></span><br />Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? / Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? / It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-5.htm">Philippians 4:5</a></span><br />Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-25.htm">1 Corinthians 9:25</a></span><br />Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-31.htm">1 Corinthians 10:31</a></span><br />So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-6.htm">1 Timothy 6:6-8</a></span><br />Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. / For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. / But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-11.htm">Matthew 6:11</a></span><br />Give us this day our daily bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a></span><br />Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-15.htm">Luke 12:15</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-5.htm">James 5:5</a></span><br />You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">1 Peter 4:3-4</a></span><br />For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. / Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a></span><br />But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-13.htm">Romans 13:13-14</a></span><br />Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. / Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-12.htm">1 Corinthians 6:12</a></span><br />“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Have you found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled therewith, and vomit it.</p><p class="hdg">hath</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/24-13.htm">Proverbs 24:13,14</a></b></br> My son, eat thou honey, because <i>it is</i> good; and the honeycomb, <i>which is</i> sweet to thy taste: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/14-8.htm">Judges 14:8,9</a></b></br> And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, <i>there was</i> a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/14-25.htm">1 Samuel 14:25-27</a></b></br> And all <i>they of</i> the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground… </p><p class="hdg">lest</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/26-27.htm">Proverbs 26:27</a></b></br> Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/23-8.htm">Proverbs 23:8</a></b></br> The morsel <i>which</i> thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/21-34.htm">Luke 21:34</a></b></br> And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and <i>so</i> that day come upon you unawares.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/20-9.htm">Able</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-13.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-4.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/psalms/38-8.htm">Excess</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-21.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-4.htm">Filled</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-14.htm">Find</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-14.htm">Found</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-31.htm">Full</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-13.htm">Honey</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-34.htm">Need</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-31.htm">Sated</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-31.htm">Satiated</a> <a href="/job/36-18.htm">Sufficiency</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/30-3.htm">Sufficient</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Therewith</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-8.htm">Vomit</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-28.htm">Vomited</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/26-11.htm">Able</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-20.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/matthew/5-37.htm">Excess</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-1.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-19.htm">Filled</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-11.htm">Find</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-6.htm">Found</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-7.htm">Full</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-27.htm">Honey</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Need</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-17.htm">Sated</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-17.htm">Satiated</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-27.htm">Sufficiency</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-18.htm">Sufficient</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Therewith</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-11.htm">Vomit</a> <a href="/jonah/2-10.htm">Vomited</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 25</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/25-1.htm">observations about kings</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/25-8.htm">and about avoiding causes of quarrels</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The Promised Land was described as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (<a href="/exodus/3-8.htm">Exodus 3:8</a>), indicating its richness. Honey in this context represents the good things in life, blessings, and pleasures that one might encounter. The finding of honey suggests the discovery of something desirable and beneficial.<p><b>eat just what you need</b><br>This phrase emphasizes moderation and self-control, virtues highly regarded in biblical teaching. The wisdom literature often warns against excess and indulgence, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/23-20.htm">Proverbs 23:20-21</a>, which cautions against gluttony and drunkenness. The call to eat only what is needed reflects a broader biblical principle of contentment and stewardship, encouraging believers to enjoy God's gifts without succumbing to greed or excess.<p><b>lest you have too much and vomit it up</b><br>The consequence of overindulgence is vividly illustrated here. The physical reaction of vomiting serves as a metaphor for the spiritual and moral consequences of excess. This imagery is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/proverbs/23-8.htm">Proverbs 23:8</a>, which warns that overindulgence can lead to regret and loss. The warning against excess can also be seen as a type of Christ, who exemplified perfect self-control and balance in His life and ministry, teaching His followers to seek first the kingdom of God (<a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a>) and to live with a focus on eternal rather than temporal pleasures.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical guidance for living a life that honors God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/honey.htm">Honey</a></b><br>In ancient times, honey was a symbol of abundance and pleasure. It was a natural sweetener and considered a delicacy, often used metaphorically to represent something desirable.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_moderation.htm">The Importance of Moderation</a></b><br><a href="/proverbs/25-16.htm">Proverbs 25:16</a> teaches the value of moderation. Just as too much honey can make one sick, overindulgence in any area of life can lead to negative consequences. Christians are called to exercise self-control and discernment in their choices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_excess.htm">Guarding Against Excess</a></b><br>This proverb warns against the dangers of excess. Whether it be food, wealth, or even leisure, excess can lead to spiritual and physical harm. Believers should seek balance and contentment in what God provides.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_consumption.htm">Wisdom in Consumption</a></b><br>The verse encourages us to be wise in our consumption, whether it be material goods, information, or experiences. We should seek what is necessary and beneficial, avoiding the pitfalls of greed and gluttony.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_discernment.htm">Spiritual Discernment</a></b><br>Applying this proverb requires spiritual discernment to recognize when enough is enough. Christians should pray for wisdom to know their limits and to live within them, trusting God to meet their needs.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 25</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/proverbs_25_16__honey_vs._health_views.htm">Proverbs 25:16 – Does the portrayal of honey causing illness conflict with medical knowledge or cultural dietary practices of the time? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_weight_loss.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian weight loss?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_take_on_moderation.htm">What is the Bible's view on moderation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_health.htm">What does the Bible say about health?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/25.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Hast thou found honey?--</span>A common occurrence in Palestine, where swarms of wild bees abounded in the woods. (Comp. <a href="/judges/14-8.htm" title="And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion.">Judges 14:8</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/14-27.htm" title="But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: why he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.">1Samuel 14:27</a>.) Hence came the expression of a "land flowing with (milk and) honey."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Hast thou found honey?</span> Honey would be found in crevices of rocks, in hollow trees (<a href="/1_samuel/14-27.htm">1 Samuel 14:27</a>), or in more unlikely situations (<a href="/judges/14-8.htm">Judges 14:8</a>), and was extensively used as an article of food. All travellers in Palestine note the great abundance of bees therein, and how well it answers to its description as "a land flowing with milk and honey." <span class="cmt_word">Eat so much as is sufficient for thee.</span> The agreeable sweetness of honey might lead the finder to eat too much of it. Against such excess the moralist warns: <span class="cmt_word">Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.</span> Thus wrote Pindar, 'Nem.,' 7:51 - <p><span class="greek">Ἀλλὰ γὰρ ἀνάπαυσις ἐν παντὶ γλυκεῖα ἔργῳκόρον δ ἔχει</span><br /><span class="greek">Καὶ μέλι καὶ τὰ τέρπν ἄνθε Ἀφροδισια.</span> <span class="greek">Μηδὲν ἄγαν</span>, <span class="foreign">Ne quid nimis</span>, is a maxim continually urged by those who wished to teach moderation. Says Homer, 'Iliad,' 13:636 - <p><span class="accented">"Men are with all things sated - sleep, and love,<br />Sweet sounds of music, and the joyous dance."</span><br />(<span class="note_acc">Lord Derby.</span>) Says Horace, 'Sat.,' 1:1, 106 - <p><span class="foreign">"Est modus in rebus, sunt certi denique fines,<br />Quos ultra citraque nequit consistere rectum?"</span> The honey is a figure of all that pleases the senses; but the maxim is to be extended beyond physical matters, though referring primarily to such pleasures. The mind may be overloaded as well as the body: only such instruction as can be digested and assimilated is serviceable to the spiritual nature; injudicious cramming produces satiety and disgust. Again, "To 'find honey,'" says St. Gregory ('Moral.,' 16:8), "is to taste the sweetness of holy intelligence, which is eaten enough of then when our perception, according to the measure of our faculty, is held tight under control. For he is 'filled with honey, and vomits it' who, in seeking to dive deeper than he has capacity for, loses that too from whence he might have derived nourishment." And in another place (ibid., 20:18), "The sweetness of spiritual meaning he who seeks to eat beyond what he contains, even what he had eaten he 'vomiteth;' because, whilst he seeks to make out things above, beyond his powers, even the things that he had made out aright, he forfeits" (Oxford transl.). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/25-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If you find</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֭צָאתָ</span> <span class="translit">(mā·ṣā·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4672.htm">Strong's 4672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">honey,</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּבַ֣שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(də·ḇaš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1706.htm">Strong's 1706: </a> </span><span class="str2">Honey, syrup</span><br /><br /><span class="word">eat</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱכֹ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·ḵōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">just what you need,</span><br /><span class="heb">דַּיֶּ֑ךָּ</span> <span class="translit">(day·ye·kā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1767.htm">Strong's 1767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sufficiency, enough</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lest</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(pen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> </span><span class="str2">Removal, lest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you have too much</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּ֝שְׂבָּעֶ֗נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(tiś·bā·‘en·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7646.htm">Strong's 7646: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be sated, satisfied or surfeited</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and vomit it up.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַהֲקֵֽאתֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(wa·hă·qê·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6958.htm">Strong's 6958: </a> </span><span class="str2">Spue out, vomit out, up, up again </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/25-16.htm">Proverbs 25:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/25-16.htm">Proverbs 25:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/25-16.htm">Proverbs 25:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/25-16.htm">Proverbs 25:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/25-16.htm">Proverbs 25:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/25-16.htm">Proverbs 25:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/25-16.htm">Proverbs 25:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/25-16.htm">Proverbs 25:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/25-16.htm">Proverbs 25:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/25-16.htm">Proverbs 25:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/25-16.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 25:16 Have you found honey? Eat as much (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/25-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 25:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 25:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/25-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 25:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 25:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>