23:1–8
The three sayings in 23:1–8 are all related by a common theme or at least a common implication. This theme is that the actual situation is not what it seems to be. Sayings 6 and 8 both imply that a person who invites someone to a meal is not necessarily motivated by friendship. Saying 7 implies that people expect wealth to provide lasting security, but it does not.
Paragraph 23:1–3 Saying 6
In this saying, the author continues to address his readers as a father who advises his son. He advises the young man to be careful in the way he conducts himself when he eats with an important person. It is implied that the host may have prepared the plentiful and tasty food in order to test the young man’s self-control.
The first two verses do not contain parallel parts.
23:1a
When you sit down to dine with a ruler: This clause gives the setting for the rest of the saying. It describes a situation where the young man has been invited to share a meal with a person who has political power or authority. This person could be a king, governor, or other official who has the influence to affect the young man’s career. Some other ways to translate this clause are:
If you sit down to eat with a ruler (New Century Version)
-or-
When you sit down to eat with someone important (Good News Translation)
sit down: Most versions specify sit, as in the Hebrew. But there is no emphasis here on the young man’s physical position. In some languages, it may be more natural to leave this detail implied. For example:
When you are invited to eat with a king (Contemporary English Version)
23:1b
consider carefully what is set before you: There are two ways to interpret the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as what. The word could also mean “who.”
(1) The word means “what.” It refers to the food that is placed before the young man. For example:
observe carefully what is before you (New Revised Standard Version)
(2) The word means “who.” It refers to the ruler who is in front of the young man. For example:
consider well who is before you (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most English versions, as well as the LXX and other ancient translations, follow this interpretation.
consider carefully: In Hebrew, the verb phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as consider carefully is emphatic. It means “consider carefully” or “be sure to understand.”
The following context implies that the young man should think carefully about the implications of the plentiful food. He should consider how to behave appropriately in that kind of situation. In some languages, it may be helpful to make some of this implied information explicit. For example:
Think carefully about ⌊what⌋ all that food in front of you ⌊means/implies⌋ .
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