KJV ORIGINAL
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Give strong drink to those who are dying, and wine to those whose hearts are filled with grief.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse suggests that alcohol can be given to those who are suffering greatly or near death as a form of comfort or pain relief.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from the wisdom teachings that King Lemuel's mother gave him about righteous leadership. In ancient times, wine and strong drink were sometimes used medicinally to ease pain and suffering, especially for those who were dying or in deep anguish. This was before modern pain management existed, and alcohol served as one of the few available remedies for severe physical or emotional pain.
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