Proverbs 23:20 Meaning: Warning Against Drunkenness and Gluttony
Don’t be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat;
Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
Be not among winebibbers, Among gluttonous eaters of flesh:
Be not thou among quaffers of wine, Among gluttonous ones of flesh,
Be not among winebibbers, among riotous eaters of flesh.
Meaning in one sentence
Proverbs 23:20 warns against joining drunkards and gluttons, not against moderate use of wine and meat. Discover the wisdom of temperance.
Context
The book of Proverbs gathers wisdom for living well before God. In chapter 23, a father speaks directly to his son, urging him to choose the path of wisdom. Earlier verses call for listening and keeping the heart on the right path (v.19). Then comes this warning about company: do not be among people who drink wine to excess or gorge themselves on meat. The next verse gives the consequence: the drunkard and the glutton come to poverty, and drowsiness leaves them in rags. The father wants his son to avoid the ruin that follows such habits. This fits a larger section on self-control, from how to behave at a ruler's table (v.1, 3) to avoiding the trap of too much wine (v.29, 35). The verse is about preserving freedom, not losing it to appetite.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for drinking too much wine comes from a root (saba) that means to drink deeply, to be soaked with drink. The word for gorging oneself (zalal) carries the sense of being wasteful, extravagant, even frivolous with food. Both words point to deliberate excess, not ordinary meals or a glass of wine with friends. The verb be among (tehi be) warns against belonging to that group, not just passing by. It is about identity and association. The wisdom writer does not condemn the gift of wine or meat, Proverbs elsewhere praises wine as a comfort (31:6) and meat as part of celebration. What he condemns is losing control, wasting resources, and letting appetite rule you. The warning is about the kind of company that pulls you away from the fear of the Lord, but also about choosing friends who help you stay free.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions agree that this verse warns against excessive consumption and bad company, not against the substances themselves. Matthew Henry writes that it is good advice to avoid those who overindulge, because their habits can be learned. Gill adds that wine may be lawfully drunk with moderation; the danger is in keeping company with those who abuse it. The Geneva Bible notes simply, Keep not company with drunkards nor with gluttons. Keil and Delitzsch connect this teaching to the virtue of temperance that flows from the fear of God. While some traditions practice total abstinence for personal or witness reasons, the passage itself addresses the danger of excess and the influence of those who live without restraint.
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
This verse invites you to look honestly at the company you keep. Are there friendships or social habits that pull you toward excess with food or drink? The fathers warning is not a rule to follow but a kindness: protect your capacity to choose. This week, consider a small step, perhaps ordering water when others are drinking heavily, or leaving a gathering before indulgence takes over. The goal is not to isolate, but to stay free. Wisdom says that what you love shapes you, so love what leads to life.
Main takeaway: Being among those who overindulge in wine and food will drag you from the path of wisdom into poverty of soul and body.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Some people eat too much or drink too much. God wants you to be careful and not join them. It is better to be wise and make good choices.
For ages 9, 12
This verse is a warning from a father to his son. He knows that when you spend time with people who overindulge, you might start to act like them. That can lead to bad consequences like losing money or health. God wants you to enjoy His good gifts without letting them control you. Choose friends who help you follow wisdom.
Questions People Ask
Does Proverbs 23:20 say Christians can never drink wine?
No, the verse warns against being among those who drink too much wine, chronic drunkards, not moderate drinkers. The Bible elsewhere presents wine as a gift from God (Psalm 104:15) and even instructs giving it to the dying (Proverbs 31:6). The warning is about excess and association with those who practice it.
What is the original Hebrew word for 'glutton' in Proverbs 23:20?
The word is zolelei, from the root zalal, which means to be lavish, wasteful, or frivolous. It describes someone who eats extravagantly and without restraint. In Deuteronomy 21:20, this same word is used of a stubborn son who is a glutton and a drunkard.
How can I apply Proverbs 23:20 to my daily life?
Examine your social habits. Are you regularly in settings where overeating or overdrinking is normal? The verse does not call you to avoid all gatherings, but to guard against being shaped by those who live without self-control. Choose friends who encourage temperance and wisdom.
What is the context of Proverbs 23:20?
This verse is part of a longer series of instructions from a father to his son in Proverbs 23. It follows a call to listen and be wise (v.19) and precedes a warning that the drunkard and glutton come to poverty (v.21). The entire chapter deals with self-control at the table, avoiding envy of sinners, and keeping the heart on the right path.
Does the Bible forbid gluttony?
Yes, several passages warn against gluttony, including Proverbs 23:20-21 and Deuteronomy 21:20. The Hebrew word for glutton (zalal) implies wasteful, riotous eating. Christians across traditions agree that gluttony is a form of excess that opposes the virtue of temperance cultivated by the fear of God.
For pastors & researchers
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