Proverbs 20:1

“Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging, etc.] Wine deceives a man; it not only overcomes him before he is aware, but it promises him a pleasure which it does not give; but, on the contrary, excessive drinking gives him pain, and so mocks him; yea, it exposes him to reproach and disgrace, and to the mockery and derision of others; as well as it sets him to scoff at his companions, and even to mock at religion, and all that is good and serious; (see <280705>Hosea 7:5); and strong drink not only disturbs the brain, and puts the spirits in a ferment, so that a man rages within, but it sets him a raving and quarrelling with his company, and everybody he meets with; such generally get into…”

“(Pro. 20:1-30) mocker--scorner. Such men are made by wine. strong drink--made by spicing wine (compare Isa 5:11, Isa 5:22); and it may include wine. raging--or boisterous as a drunkard. deceived--literally, "erring," or reeling.”

““Wine” and “strong drink” are personified as themselves doing what they make men do. The latter (see Leviticus 10:9 note) is here, probably, the “palm-wine” of Syria. return to 'Top of Page'”

“A mocker - Wine immoderately drunk makes men mockers. Raging - Makes men full of rage. Proverbs 20:2”

“20:1 Too much alcohol clouds a person’s judgment. The Old Testament is not against drinking wine in moderation (3:10; 9:5; Ps 104:14-15), but it adamantly opposes excessive drinking (Prov 21:17; 23:29-35; 31:4-5).”

“Pro 23:29-35, Pro 31:4; Gen 9:21-23, Gen 19:31-36; Sa1 25:36-38; Sa2 11:13; Sa2 13:28; Kg1 20:16-21; Isa 28:7; Hos 4:11, Hos 7:5; Hab 2:15, Hab 2:16; Co1 6:10; Gal 5:21; Eph 5:18 Proverbs 20:2”

“This proverb warns against the debauchery with which free-thinking is intimately associated. Wine is a mocker, mead boisterous; And no one who is overtaken thereby is wise. The article stands with יין. Ewald maintains that in 10:1-22:6 the article occurs only here and at Pro 21:31, and that it is here, as the lxx shows, not original. Both statements are incorrect. The article is found, e.g., at Pro 19:6; Pro 18:18, Pro 18:17, and here the personification of "wine" requires it; but that it is wanting to שׁכר shows how little poetry delights in it; it stands once for twice. The effects of wine and mead (שׁכר from שׁכר, to stop, obstruct, become stupid) are attributed to these liquors…”