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NASB | Proverbs 31:6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Proverbs 31:6 Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away, And wine to him whose life is bitter. |
Subject: Drinking as a means of escape? |
Bible Note: EdB, I understand what you are trying to say, and I realize that you were not trying to throw my question into another loop. I will accept any sound answer as long as it is based upon the Bible. Ryrie's Expanded NASB states, "The verses do not condone intoxication but indicate the medicinal use of alcohol in ancient times." MacArthur's NKJV Study Bible states, "'Give strong drink.' Such extreme situations, possibly relating to a criminal on death row or someone agonizing in pain with a terminal illness or tragic circumstance, are in utter contrast to that of the king (cf. Psalm 104:15)." So in either case, the Bible is not suggesting that drinking here is a 'means of escape' or to soothe depression, but Lemuel's mother is giving an example of an alternative use for alcohol to the king for an objective lesson. So what you said was true and on topic, even though it is pointless to dwell upon what I would personally do in such a situation. I was focusing on what the passage actually was saying rather than whether or not we should make certain ethical decisions. That is what would provoke an angry response from me, EdB. |