Proverbs 23:21 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 23:21 mean?

Proverbs 23:21 warns that those who habitually drink too much alcohol or overeat will end up poor, and that laziness will leave a person in shabby, worn-out clothing. The verse links uncontrolled appetites and laziness with financial ruin and visible decline.

This proverb comes from a section where a wise teacher, likely King Solomon, is giving practical advice to young people about self-control and wise living. The verse uses vivid images—drunkenness, gluttony, and drowsiness—to show how giving in to excess and laziness leads to real-world consequences, not just personal discomfort but also poverty and public shame.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 23:21

• "drunkard" (סֹבֵא, sobeʾ): This word refers to someone who drinks to excess, not just someone who drinks occasionally. The focus is on a pattern of behavior that leads to trouble.
• "glutton" (זוֹלֵל, zolel): This term describes someone who is wasteful or given to excess, especially with food. It points to a lack of self-restraint.
• "poverty" (רֵשׁ, resh): This word means more than just being poor; it often carries the sense of being dispossessed or having nothing left.
• "drowsiness" (תַּרְדֵּמָה, tardemah): This is not just feeling sleepy but a kind of laziness or sluggishness that keeps a person from working or being productive.
• "clothe" (לָבַשׁ, lavash): Here, it means to be covered or wrapped up in something, in this case, "rags."
• "rags" (קָרָע, qaraʿ): This word refers to torn or shabby clothing, a visible sign of poverty and neglect.

Why Proverbs 23:21 matters

• Proverbs 23:21 clarifies that the consequences of overindulgence and laziness are not just spiritual or moral but also practical and visible in everyday life.
• The verse emphasizes that poverty and shame are often the natural results of a lack of self-control, not just bad luck or outside circumstances.
• By connecting this warning to the broader passage, Proverbs 23:21 highlights the importance of discipline and wise choices for anyone who wants to avoid hardship and live honorably.