Devine Scripture

Proverbs 31:7

What does Proverbs 31:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Proverbs 31:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Proverbs 31:7 means

This verse elaborates on the intended effect of giving strong drink to the perishing or bitter in soul, as suggested in verse 6. The purpose is not for pleasure or sustained consumption, but for a temporary relief from profound suffering. The drink serves to help them "forget his poverty" and "remember his misery no more," offering a fleeting escape from the crushing weight of their painful circumstances. It underscores a compassionate concern for the desperate, providing a brief respite from their overwhelming sorrow.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

He drinketh, and forgetteth his poverty, And his misery he remembereth not again.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

Context

This verse directly follows and explains the compassionate rationale introduced in verse 6 concerning the use of strong drink for the desperate. It concludes the brief segment on alcohol's distinct applications. The shift that immediately follows in verses 8-9 takes a broader turn, moving from specific warnings to general positive commands about justice for the vulnerable, thereby concluding the mother's direct instruction to King Lemuel.

v.6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:

v.7This passage

v.8Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ephesians 5:18

    And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit;

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Proverbs 31

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Proverbs 31.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Proverbs 31:7.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary