SEV Biblia, Chapter 31:4
No es de los reyes, oh Lemuel, no es de los reyes beber vino, ni de los príncipes la cerveza.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 31:4
Verse 4. It is not for kings-to drink wine ] An intemperate man is ill fit to hold the reins of government.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel , etc.] It is not fit for them, it is very unbecoming them; it is dishonourable to them, to such as Lemuel was, or was likely to be; or far be it from kings, let no such thing be do ne by them, nor by thee; [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink ; it is lawful for kings to drink wine in a moderate manner, and for princes, counsellors, and judges, to drink strong drink; meaning not such as is made of malt, which in those times was not used; but of honey, dates, pomegranates, and such like things; but then it was very unbecoming for either of them to drink any of these to excess; it is very disgraceful to any man to drink immoderately, to make a beast of himself, and much more a king or judge, who, of all men, ought to be grave and sober; both that they may perform their office well, and maintain the grandeur and dignity of it, which otherwise would become useless and despicable, yea, pernicious, as follows. Solomon, notwithstanding this advice, gave himself unto wine as well as women, ( Ecclesiastes 2:3). The Targum is, “take care of kings, O Lemuel, of kings who drink wine, and of princes that drink strong drink.” So the Syriac version, keep no company with them, nor follow their example; (see Ecclesiastes 10:17 Hosea 7:5); The last clause may be rendered, “nor for princes [to say], where is strong drink” f920 ? where is it to be had? where is the best? as drunkards do; which is according to the marginal reading; but the “Cetib”, or writing, is wa , “or” f921 ; but some render it as a noun, “the desire of strong drink” f922 : it does not become princes to covet it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - When children are under the mother's eye, she has an opportunity of fashioning their minds aright. Those who are grown up, should ofte call to mind the good teaching they received when children. The man awful instances of promising characters who have been ruined by vil women, and love of wine, should warn every one to avoid these evils Wine is to be used for want or medicine. Every creature of God is good and wine, though abused, has its use. By the same rule, due praise an consolation should be used as cordials to the dejected and tempted, no administered to the confident and self-sufficient. All in authorit should be more carefully temperate even than other men; and should be protectors of those who are unable or afraid to plead their own cause Our blessed Lord did not decline the bitterest dregs of the cup of sorrow put into his hands; but he puts the cup of consolation into the hands of his people, and causes those to rejoice who are in the deepes distress.
Original Hebrew
אל 408 למלכים 4428 למואל 3927 אל 408 למלכים 4428 שׁתו 8354 יין 3196 ולרוזנים 7336 או 176 שׁכר׃ 7941
