Proverbs 25:16

“Hast thou found honey? etc.] Of which there was great plenty in Judea; and was to be found in fields and woods, (<091425>1 Samuel 14:25,26); eat so much as is sufficient for thee; to satisfy appetite, without overcharging the stomach; what may be conducive to health, and no more; lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it; that is, overfilled; filled to a loathing of it, so as to cause a casting of it up this is not merely to be understood in a literal sense; something more is intended, as in (<202413>Proverbs 24:13); and according to the sense there, that which Maimonidesf685 gives of this seems agreeable; that it respects the getting of wisdom and knowledge, which, like honey, is sweet…”

“A comparison, as a surfeit of honey produces physical disgust, so your company, however agreeable in moderation, may, if excessive, lead your friend to hate you.”

“Hast thou found honey? - Compare Judges 14:8; 1 Samuel 14:27. The precept extends to the pleasure of which honey is the symbol. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Honey - By honey he understands, not only all delicious meats, but all worldly delights, which we are here taught to use with moderation. Proverbs 25:17”

“25:16-17 Honey in moderation is tasty and healthy (24:13-14); too much will cause vomiting. This principle can be applied to other areas of life; for example, it is good to visit your neighbors, but not too often.”

“Hast: Pro 24:13, Pro 24:14; Jdg 14:8, Jdg 14:9; Sa1 14:25-27; Isa 7:15, Isa 7:22 lest: Pro 25:27, Pro 23:8; Luk 21:34; Eph 5:18 Proverbs 25:17”

“Another way of showing self-control: Hast thou found honey? eat thy enough, Lest thou be surfeited with it, and vomit it up. Honey is pleasant, salutary, and thus to be eaten sparingly, Pro 24:13, but ne quid nimis. Too much is unwholesome, 27a: αὐτοῦ καὶ μέλιτος τὸ πλέον ἐστὶ χολή, i.e., even honey enjoyed immoderately is as bitter as gall; or, as Freidank says: des honges seze erdruizet s mans ze viel geniuzet \[the sweetness of honey offends when one partakes too much of it\]. Eat if thou hast found any in the forest or the mountains, דּיּךּ, thy enough (lxx τὸ ἱκανόν; the Venet. τὸ ἀρκοῦν σοι), i.e., as much as appeases thine appetite, that thou mayest not become surfeited…”