Emotional and physical harm often result from unchecked desires, calling us to live by God’s wisdom instead of fleeting distractions.
Solomon poses a series of questions in this verse: “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?” (v.29). By listing these heavy burdens—woe, sorrow, arguments, and complaint—he confronts the behavior and circumstances that flow from a life given over to unwise indulgences, especially drunkenness (see the surrounding verses in Proverbs 23). Solomon’s intention is to awaken a self-examination in hearts prone to ignoring how certain habits may lead to strife and despair. He strikes at the root of a timeless problem: people seeking pleasure or escape in ways that ultimately bring trouble rather than relief.
“Who has woe?” can be understood as those whose unwise pursuits have left them in ongoing misery. “Who has sorrow? Who has contentions?” describes people weighed down by regret and conflict, often stemming from irresponsible choices. The mention of “wounds without cause” and “redness of eyes” reflects the physical toll that habitual waywardness has on our bodies, warning that following our impulses can result in tangible harm. In the New Testament, followers of Christ are similarly cautioned to walk in wisdom, not drunkenness, but rather to be filled with the Spirit so that their lives bear good fruit (Ephesians 5:18).
In its immediate context, this passage highlights the contrast between self-indulgent living and a disciplined, purposeful life. While this verse discusses the negative outcomes of earthly appetites, biblical wisdom points toward a better way, one where trust in the Lord and dependence on His guidance bring genuine joy and peace (Galatians 5:22).
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Proverbs 23:29 meaning
Solomon poses a series of questions in this verse: “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?” (v.29). By listing these heavy burdens—woe, sorrow, arguments, and complaint—he confronts the behavior and circumstances that flow from a life given over to unwise indulgences, especially drunkenness (see the surrounding verses in Proverbs 23). Solomon’s intention is to awaken a self-examination in hearts prone to ignoring how certain habits may lead to strife and despair. He strikes at the root of a timeless problem: people seeking pleasure or escape in ways that ultimately bring trouble rather than relief.
“Who has woe?” can be understood as those whose unwise pursuits have left them in ongoing misery. “Who has sorrow? Who has contentions?” describes people weighed down by regret and conflict, often stemming from irresponsible choices. The mention of “wounds without cause” and “redness of eyes” reflects the physical toll that habitual waywardness has on our bodies, warning that following our impulses can result in tangible harm. In the New Testament, followers of Christ are similarly cautioned to walk in wisdom, not drunkenness, but rather to be filled with the Spirit so that their lives bear good fruit (Ephesians 5:18).
In its immediate context, this passage highlights the contrast between self-indulgent living and a disciplined, purposeful life. While this verse discusses the negative outcomes of earthly appetites, biblical wisdom points toward a better way, one where trust in the Lord and dependence on His guidance bring genuine joy and peace (Galatians 5:22).