Proverbs 31:7 - Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
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What does "Proverbs 31:7" mean?
Proverbs 31:7, "Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more," is part of a larger passage (Proverbs 31:1-9) offering advice from a mother to her son, likely a king, about righteous rule. This particular verse is often debated and misinterpreted. Here's a breakdown of its meaning and common interpretations:
Context: The verse is not advocating for general drunkenness. It's specifically addressed to those who are suffering deeply and are in despair. The surrounding verses emphasize the importance of just leadership and caring for the vulnerable.
Literal Interpretation: The verse suggests offering strong drink (likely beer or wine, as common beverages in that time) to those who are impoverished and miserable. The idea is that it could provide temporary relief from their suffering.
Possible Interpretations:
Temporary Relief: This interpretation views the verse as a pragmatic, though perhaps not ideal, way to alleviate suffering. In a situation where immediate solutions to poverty and misery are unavailable, a temporary escape might be seen as a compassionate act.
Contrasting Royal Responsibility: Some scholars believe the verse is used as a contrast to emphasize the king's responsibility to care for the poor. It suggests that others might resort to drink to forget their problems, but the king should actively address the root causes of poverty and misery. The king should NOT be among those seeking solace in drink, but should be acting to help those in need.
Criticism of Escape: Another interpretation sees the verse as a critique of using alcohol as a way to avoid dealing with problems. The mother might be warning her son against resorting to escapism rather than addressing the real issues.
Mercy in Extreme Circumstances: A more compassionate view is that it acknowledges the extreme hardships some people face and suggests offering them comfort, even if it's only temporary, in the form of drink. This doesn't endorse drunkenness but acknowledges the desperation of the situation.
Important Considerations:
The Bible generally warns against drunkenness. Passages like Ephesians 5:18 ("And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit") condemn excessive drinking.
The verse should not be taken as an endorsement of alcoholism or using alcohol as a long-term solution to problems.
The focus should be on addressing the root causes of poverty and misery, rather than simply offering temporary relief.
In summary, Proverbs 31:7 is a complex verse that likely suggests offering temporary relief to those suffering from extreme poverty and misery. However, it should not be interpreted as an endorsement of drunkenness or a replacement for addressing the underlying causes of suffering. The surrounding verses highlight the importance of just leadership and caring for the vulnerable.
Proverbs 31:7 - Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
What does "Proverbs 31:7" mean?
Proverbs 31:7, "Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more," is part of a larger passage (Proverbs 31:1-9) offering advice from a mother to her son, likely a king, about righteous rule. This particular verse is often debated and misinterpreted. Here's a breakdown of its meaning and common interpretations:
Context: The verse is not advocating for general drunkenness. It's specifically addressed to those who are suffering deeply and are in despair. The surrounding verses emphasize the importance of just leadership and caring for the vulnerable.
Literal Interpretation: The verse suggests offering strong drink (likely beer or wine, as common beverages in that time) to those who are impoverished and miserable. The idea is that it could provide temporary relief from their suffering.
Possible Interpretations:
Temporary Relief: This interpretation views the verse as a pragmatic, though perhaps not ideal, way to alleviate suffering. In a situation where immediate solutions to poverty and misery are unavailable, a temporary escape might be seen as a compassionate act.
Contrasting Royal Responsibility: Some scholars believe the verse is used as a contrast to emphasize the king's responsibility to care for the poor. It suggests that others might resort to drink to forget their problems, but the king should actively address the root causes of poverty and misery. The king should NOT be among those seeking solace in drink, but should be acting to help those in need.
Criticism of Escape: Another interpretation sees the verse as a critique of using alcohol as a way to avoid dealing with problems. The mother might be warning her son against resorting to escapism rather than addressing the real issues.
Mercy in Extreme Circumstances: A more compassionate view is that it acknowledges the extreme hardships some people face and suggests offering them comfort, even if it's only temporary, in the form of drink. This doesn't endorse drunkenness but acknowledges the desperation of the situation.
Important Considerations:
The Bible generally warns against drunkenness. Passages like Ephesians 5:18 ("And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit") condemn excessive drinking.
The verse should not be taken as an endorsement of alcoholism or using alcohol as a long-term solution to problems.
The focus should be on addressing the root causes of poverty and misery, rather than simply offering temporary relief.
In summary, Proverbs 31:7 is a complex verse that likely suggests offering temporary relief to those suffering from extreme poverty and misery. However, it should not be interpreted as an endorsement of drunkenness or a replacement for addressing the underlying causes of suffering. The surrounding verses highlight the importance of just leadership and caring for the vulnerable.