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Proverbs 23:8

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 23:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, And lose thy sweet words.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, And lose thy sweet words.
Proverbs 23:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For [riches] certainly make themselves wings, Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.
6Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, Neither desire thou his dainties:
7For as he thinketh within himself, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.
8The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, And lose thy sweet words.
9Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
10Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
11For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause against thee.
← Proverbs 23:7Proverbs 23:9 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The morsel [which] thou hast eaten, shalt thou vomit up, etc.] It shall turn in thy stomach, thou shall not be able to keep it, when thou understandest thou art not welcome; or thou wilt wish thou hadst never eaten a bit, or that thou couldest vomit up what thou hast; so disagreeable is the thought of being unwelcome, or when this appears to be the case; and lose thy sweet words; expressed in thankfulness to the master of the feast, in praise of his food, in pleasantry with him, and the other guests at table; all which are repented of when a man finds he is not welcome.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The morsel . . . words--that is, disgusted with his true character, all pleasant intercourse will be destroyed.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Vomit up - When thou perceivest his churlish disposition, his meat will be loathsome to thee. Sweet words - Thy pleasant discourse wherewith thou didst design to delight and profit him. Proverbs 23:9”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification