Proverbs 23:34 Meaning and Explanation
“Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Drunkenness makes you as helpless and unbalanced as if you were on a ship in the sea.
The Context of Proverbs 23:34
Metaphor: the drunkard is unbalanced and helpless as one adrift at sea.
What Does Proverbs 23:34 Mean?
The image is vivid and disorienting: lying down in the midst of the sea, you have no stable ground, no refuge, surrounded by instability. Or lying on the mast of a ship, tossed by wind and motion, utterly vulnerable and about to fall. Both images convey total loss of stability and control.
The drunkard is in a similar state—unable to stand firm, at the mercy of forces beyond his control, cut off from safety. He has surrendered his balance and judgment; his world pitches and heaves around him. This is the reality masked by the wine's pleasant taste.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 23:34
What does Proverbs 23:34 mean?
Drunkenness makes you as helpless and unbalanced as if you were on a ship in the sea.
What is the context of Proverbs 23:34?
Metaphor: the drunkard is unbalanced and helpless as one adrift at sea.