Proverbs 23:20 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 23:20 mean?

Proverbs 23:20 warns against joining people who drink too much wine or who overindulge in eating meat. The verse cautions readers to avoid the company of those who live for excess and self-indulgence.

In this proverb, a wise teacher (traditionally Solomon) addresses a younger listener, likely a son or student, offering practical advice about the dangers of associating with people who lack self-control. The focus is on the risks of being drawn into a lifestyle marked by heavy drinking and gluttony, which in the ancient world were often linked with wastefulness and poor judgment.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 23:20

• winebibbers (יֵין, yayin; סָבָא, sava): The word translated "winebibbers" refers to those who drink wine excessively. This highlights not just casual drinking, but a pattern of overindulgence that leads to trouble.
• eaters (זָלַל, zalal): The word for "eaters" here carries the sense of someone who consumes greedily or wastefully, not just someone who eats meat.
• flesh (בָּשָׂר, basar): "Flesh" in this context means meat, which in ancient times was a luxury. The verse points to those who make a habit of feasting, not just eating to live.

Why Proverbs 23:20 matters

• Proverbs 23:20 clarifies that the warning is not just about food and drink, but about the dangers of a lifestyle centered on excess and lack of restraint.
• The verse connects to a broader theme in Proverbs about choosing companions wisely, since the people we spend time with can strongly influence our habits and character.
• Understanding the original words shows that the warning is about patterns of behavior—habitual overindulgence—rather than occasional enjoyment, which helps avoid misreading the verse as a blanket condemnation of eating meat or drinking wine.