King James Version

What Does Proverbs 23:35 Mean?

Proverbs 23:35 in the King James Version says “They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I...” — study this verse from Proverbs chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. I felt: Heb. I knew it not”

Proverbs 23:35 · KJV

Context

33

Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

34

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. the midst: Heb. the heart of the sea

35

They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. I felt: Heb. I knew it not

Read Proverbs 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse concludes the drunkenness warning with tragic irony. The drunk speaks: 'They have stricken me... and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not' (הִכּוּנִי בַל־חָלִיתִי הֲלָמוּנִי בַּל־יָדָעְתִּי/hikkuni val-chaliti halamuni val-yada'ti, they struck me—I didn't become ill; they beat me—I didn't know it) describes alcohol's numbing effect. Physical harm goes unfelt due to intoxication. This seems advantageous but is actually dangerous—pain signals injury requiring attention. The drunk's final words reveal addiction: 'when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again' (מָתַי אָקִיץ אוֹסִיף אֲבַקְשֶׁנּוּ עוֹד/matay aqitz osif avaqshennu od, when will I wake up? I will add—I will seek it again). Despite misery, injury, and consequences, the drunk plans to drink again. This depicts addiction's enslaving power. Paul warns: 'be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess' (Ephesians 5:18). The Greek ἀσωτία (asotia, excess/debauchery) indicates ruinous wastefulness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Alcoholism isn't modern—ancients recognized addiction's power. Proverbs 23:29-35 describes it clinically: woe, sorrow, wounds, redness of eyes (verse 29), impaired judgment (verse 33), disorientation (verse 34), numbness to injury (verse 35a), and compulsive drinking despite consequences (verse 35b). The description matches modern addiction patterns. Ancient Near Eastern cultures struggled with drunkenness. Babylon's fall came during drunken feast (Daniel 5:1-4). Persian kings made foolish decisions while drunk (Esther 1:10-11). Greek symposia celebrated intoxication. Roman banquets often became drunken orgies. Early Christians lived in cultures where drunkenness was normalized, making Paul's commands countercultural. Church history records both alcoholism among Christians (requiring discipline) and temperance movements (sometimes legalistic). The biblical pattern is clear: drunkenness enslaves and destroys; sobriety liberates and honors God.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you see addictive patterns in your life—alcohol, substances, behaviors—where you return despite negative consequences?
  2. How does recognizing addiction as slavery (not merely weakness) change your approach to breaking free?
  3. What role can Christian community play in helping you overcome enslaving habits?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
הִכּ֥וּנִי1 of 11

“They have stricken”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בַל2 of 11
H1077

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

חָלִיתִי֮3 of 11

“me shalt thou say and I was not sick”

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

הֲלָמ֗וּנִי4 of 11

“they have beaten”

H1986

to strike down; by implication, to hammer, stamp, conquer, disband

בַּל5 of 11
H1077

properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest

יָ֫דָ֥עְתִּי6 of 11

“me and I felt”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מָתַ֥י7 of 11
H4970

properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)

אָקִ֑יץ8 of 11

“it not when shall I awake”

H6974

to awake (literally or figuratively)

א֝וֹסִ֗יף9 of 11

“it yet”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

אֲבַקְשֶׁ֥נּוּ10 of 11

“I will seek”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

עֽוֹד׃11 of 11
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Proverbs. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Proverbs 23:35 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Proverbs 23:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 5:3Isaiah 56:12Proverbs 27:221 Corinthians 15:32-34Proverbs 26:112 Peter 2:22

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