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Proverbs 23:1 When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is set before you,

<!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 23:1 When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is set before you,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/23-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/20_Pro_23_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 23:1 - True Riches" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is set before you," /><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'; 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(Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />While dining with a ruler, pay attention to what is put before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is set before you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what <i>is</i> before thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />When you sit down to eat with a ruler, Consider carefully what <i>is</i> before you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Understand well what is before you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When you sit down to dine with a ruler, Consider carefully what is [set] before you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently him that is before thee;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When you are invited to eat with a king, use your best manners. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently him that is before thee;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/23.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />When you sit down to eat with a ruler, pay close attention to what is in front of you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When you sit down to eat with someone important, keep in mind who he is. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Whenever you sit down to dine with a ruler, carefully think about what is before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is set before you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />When you sit to eat with a ruler, "" Diligently consider that which [is] before you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Thou considerest diligently that which is before thee,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If thou shalt sit to eat with a ruler, understanding, thou shalt understand what is before thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />When thou shalt sit to eat with a prince, consider diligently what is set before thy face. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />When you sit down to eat with a leader, pay close attention to what has been set before your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When you sit down to dine with a ruler, mark well the one who is before you; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />WHEN you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is set before you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />If you sit to dine with a Ruler, perceive what is set before you<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Consider well him that is before thee;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />If thou sit to sup at the table of a prince, consider attentively the things set before thee:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/23-1.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=4588" 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/23.htm">True Riches</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: k&#238;- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">When</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: &#7791;&#234;&#183;&#353;&#234;&#7687; (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">you sit down</a> <a href="/hebrew/3898.htm" title="3898: lil&#183;&#7717;&#333;&#183;wm (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To feed on, to consume, to battle. A primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle.">to dine</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: &#8217;e&#7791;- (Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/4910.htm" title="4910: m&#333;&#183;w&#333;&#183;&#353;&#234;l (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To rule, have dominion, reign. A primitive root; to rule.">a ruler,</a> <a href="/hebrew/995.htm" title="995: b&#238;n (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To discern. A primitive root; to separate mentally, i.e.(generally) understand.">consider</a> <a href="/hebrew/995.htm" title="995: t&#257;&#183;&#7687;&#238;n (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To discern. A primitive root; to separate mentally, i.e.(generally) understand.">carefully</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: &#8217;e&#7791;- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: &#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#353;er (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">what</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: l&#601;&#183;p&#772;&#257;&#183;ne&#183;&#7733;&#257; (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 2ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">is set before you,</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>and put a knife to your throat if you possess a great appetite.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <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="/daniel/1-8.htm">Daniel 1:8</a></span><br />But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king&#8217;s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself.<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="/psalms/141-4.htm">Psalm 141:4</a></span><br />Do not let my heart be drawn to any evil thing or take part in works of wickedness with men who do iniquity; let me not feast on their delicacies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a></span><br />Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-27.htm">1 Corinthians 9:27</a></span><br />No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:16-17</a></span><br />Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning. / Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time&#8212;for strength and not for drunkenness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Matthew 6:16-18</a></span><br />When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">1 Peter 4:3</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-34.htm">Luke 21:34</a></span><br />But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life&#8212;and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-19.htm">Philippians 3:19</a></span><br />Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-8.htm">1 Timothy 6:8-10</a></span><br />But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. / Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-16.htm">Proverbs 25:16</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="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-12.htm">1 Corinthians 6:12</a></span><br />&#8220;Everything is permissible for me,&#8221; but not everything is beneficial. &#8220;Everything is permissible for me,&#8221; but I will not be mastered by anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-16.htm">Galatians 5:16-17</a></span><br />So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. / For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-7.htm">Isaiah 28:7-8</a></span><br />These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments. / For all their tables are covered with vomit; there is not a place without filth.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">When you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/16-17.htm">Care</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-15.htm">Carefully</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-25.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/psalms/37-10.htm">Considerest</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-24.htm">Diligently</a> <a href="/esther/7-1.htm">Dine</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-21.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-15.htm">Feast</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-12.htm">Note</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-20.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-6.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-28.htm">Seat</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/psalms/123-1.htm">Sittest</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-17.htm">Thought</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/23-4.htm">Care</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-11.htm">Carefully</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-12.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-24.htm">Considerest</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-7.htm">Diligently</a> <a href="/amos/6-4.htm">Dine</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-6.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-11.htm">Feast</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-23.htm">Note</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-26.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-7.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-5.htm">Seat</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-16.htm">Sittest</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-7.htm">Thought</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/23-1.htm">Consider carefully what is before you</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>When you sit down to dine with a ruler</b><br>This phrase suggests a setting of dining with someone in a position of authority or power. In ancient Near Eastern culture, sharing a meal was a significant social event, often used to establish or strengthen alliances. The act of sitting down to dine with a ruler implies a moment of potential influence or negotiation. Biblically, dining with rulers can be seen in the story of Joseph, who dined with Pharaoh (Genesis 41), and Daniel, who was offered the king's delicacies (Daniel 1). These instances highlight the importance of wisdom and discernment in such settings.<p><b>consider carefully what is set before you</b><br>This part of the verse emphasizes the need for discernment and awareness. In the context of dining with a ruler, it suggests being mindful of the intentions behind the hospitality. The food and drink could symbolize more than just sustenance; they might represent the ruler's values, intentions, or even temptations. Proverbs often warns against the dangers of succumbing to the allure of wealth and power (<a href="/proverbs/23-4.htm">Proverbs 23:4-5</a>). This phrase encourages the reader to be vigilant and wise, understanding that what is offered may have strings attached or could lead to moral compromise. The call to "consider carefully" aligns with the broader biblical theme of seeking wisdom and understanding in all situations (<a href="/proverbs/4-7.htm">Proverbs 4:7</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/ruler.htm">Ruler</a></b><br>In the context of ancient Israel, a ruler would be someone in a position of authority, such as a king or a high-ranking official. This person holds power and influence, and dining with them would be a significant event.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/dining.htm">Dining</a></b><br>The act of sharing a meal, especially with someone of high status, was a social and political event in biblical times. It was an opportunity for building relationships, negotiating, and sometimes even making covenants.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/proverbs.htm">Proverbs</a></b><br>This book of the Bible is a collection of wise sayings attributed primarily to King Solomon. It provides practical guidance for living a life that honors God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_relationships.htm">Discernment in Relationships</a></b><br>When engaging with those in authority or influence, exercise wisdom and discernment. Consider the motives and implications of the relationship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_your_heart.htm">Guarding Your Heart</a></b><br>Be mindful of the temptations and influences that may come with associating with powerful individuals. Protect your values and integrity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/mindful_consumption.htm">Mindful Consumption</a></b><br>Consider not just the physical food set before you, but also the spiritual and moral implications of what you are partaking in.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/influence_and_integrity.htm">Influence and Integrity</a></b><br>Recognize the potential for influence in such settings and maintain your integrity, ensuring that your actions align with your faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_social_settings.htm">Wisdom in Social Settings</a></b><br>Social interactions, especially with those in power, require wisdom. Seek God's guidance to navigate these situations in a way that honors Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_the_sons_of_disobedience.htm">Will your words justify you?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/main_themes_of_bible's_books.htm">What are the main themes of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_god_direct_cruel_rulers'_hearts.htm">Proverbs 21:1: How can a king's heart be completely directed by God if history is full of cruel rulers who appear to have acted against any divine morality?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/which_books_are_in_the_old_testament.htm">Which books are in the Old Testament?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div><span class= "bld">XXIII.</span><p>(1) <span class= "bld">Consider diligently what is before thee,--</span>Rather, <span class= "ital">Who is before thee; </span>that thy host is not an equal, but one who, if offended, might do thee deadly harm.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-3.</span> - A hexastich closely connected with the last verse of the preceding chapter, as if the warning was addressed to the man of skill whom his talents had made the guest of kings. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">When thou sittest to eat with a ruler.</span> This, of course, would be a great honour to a man of lowly birth, or to one of the middle class, to whom the manners of courts and palaces were practically unknown. <span class="cmt_word">Consider diligently what is</span> <span class="cmt_word">before thee.</span> So the Vulgate, <span class="accented">Qua apposita sunt ante faciem tuam</span>; and the Septuagint, <span class="greek">&#x3a4;&#x1f70;&#x20;&#x3c0;&#x3b1;&#x3c1;&#x3b1;&#x3c4;&#x3b9;&#x3b8;&#x1f73;&#x3bc;&#x3b5;&#x3bd;&#x1f71;</span> <span class="greek">&#x3c3;&#x3bf;&#x3b9;</span>. Take heed lest the unusual dainties on the table tempt thee to excess, which may lead not only to unseemly behaviour, but also to unruly speech, revealing of secrets, etc. But the latter words may also be tendered, "him that is," or, "<span class="accented">who</span> is before thee." And this gives a very appropriate sense. The guest is enjoined to fix his attention, not on the delicate food, but on the host, who is his superior, and able to exalt and to destroy him (compare the cautious maxims in Ecclus. 13:2, 6, 7, 11, etc.). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/23-1.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">When</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1468;&#1460;&#1469;&#1497;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(k&#238;-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you sit down</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1514;&#1461;&#1453;&#1513;&#1473;&#1461;&#1489;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7791;&#234;&#183;&#353;&#234;&#7687;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to dine</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1460;&#1500;&#1456;&#1495;&#1443;&#1493;&#1465;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(lil&#183;&#7717;&#333;&#183;wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l &#124; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3898.htm">Strong's 3898: </a> </span><span class="str2">To feed on, to consume, to battle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1462;&#1514;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;e&#7791;-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a ruler,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1493;&#1465;&#1513;&#1473;&#1461;&#1425;&#1500;</span> <span class="translit">(m&#333;&#183;w&#333;&#183;&#353;&#234;l)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4910.htm">Strong's 4910: </a> </span><span class="str2">To rule, have dominion, reign</span><br /><br /><span class="word">consider</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1460;&#1445;&#1497;&#1503;</span> <span class="translit">(b&#238;n)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_995.htm">Strong's 995: </a> </span><span class="str2">To separate mentally, understand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">carefully</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1514;&#1468;&#1464;&#1437;&#1489;&#1460;&#1431;&#1497;&#1503;</span> <span class="translit">(t&#257;&#183;&#7687;&#238;n)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_995.htm">Strong's 995: </a> </span><span class="str2">To separate mentally, understand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1458;&#1513;&#1473;&#1462;&#1445;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#353;er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is set before you,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1456;&#1508;&#1464;&#1504;&#1462;&#1469;&#1497;&#1498;&#1464;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#601;&#183;p&#772;&#257;&#183;ne&#183;&#7733;&#257;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l &#124; Noun - common plural construct &#124; second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/23-1.htm">Proverbs 23:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/23-1.htm">Proverbs 23:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/23-1.htm">Proverbs 23:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/23-1.htm">Proverbs 23:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/23-1.htm">Proverbs 23:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/23-1.htm">Proverbs 23:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/23-1.htm">Proverbs 23:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/23-1.htm">Proverbs 23:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/23-1.htm">Proverbs 23:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/23-1.htm">Proverbs 23:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/23-1.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 23:1 When you sit to eat (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/22-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 22:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 22:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/23-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 23:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 23:2" /></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>

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