31:6

This verse contrasts with the warning that kings should avoid drinking. Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

6a Give strong drink to one who is perishing,

6b and wine to the bitter in soul.

There is an ellipsis in 31:6b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing verb from 31:6a. For example:

6b and ⌊give⌋ wine to the bitter in soul.

Notice that the underlined parts occur in the opposite order from the parts in 31:4a and 31:4b.

31:6a–b

Give: In Hebrew, the command Give is plural. In this context, there are two main ways to interpret this plural verb:

(1) The verb Give is meant literally. It advises kings to provide beer and wine to suffering people in their kingdoms. For example:

Give(plur) intoxicating drinks to people who are perishing
-or-
Kings should give beer to people who are dying

(2) The verb Give is not meant literally as advice to kings. It introduces a statement that beer and wine are appropriate drinks for suffering people. For example:

Alcohol is for people who are dying (Good News Translation)
-or-
Let beer be for those who are perishing (New International Version (2011))

The Display will follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and scholars. However, it is also acceptable to follow interpretation (2) in your translation, especially if that is the interpretation followed in a language of wider communication.

strong drink…wine: In these two lines, the king is advised to supply intoxicating drink to people who are suffering. See the notes on 31:4a–b for the words strong drink and wine.

one who is perishing…the bitter in soul: The first phrase refers to people who are dying. The second phrase refers to people who are suffering physical pain or emotional distress. Some other ways to translate these phrases are:

someone about to die…him whose heart is heavy (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
one who is dying…those struggling with life’s harsh realities (The Voice)
-or-
the dying…those who have lost all hope (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
people who are dying…those who are sad (New Century Version)

General Comment on 31:6a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts in these lines. For example:

Kings should give beer and wine to the dying or to those who have lost all hope.

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