Proverbs 23:2

NETBible

and put a knife to your throat 1  if you possess a large appetite. 2 

NIV ©

and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.

NASB ©

And put a knife to your throat If you are a man of great appetite.

NLT ©

If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat,

MSG ©

Don't gobble your food, don't talk with your mouth full.

BBE ©

And put a knife to your throat, if you have a strong desire for food.

NRSV ©

and put a knife to your throat if you have a big appetite.

NKJV ©

And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite.

KJV
And put
<07760> (8804)
a knife
<07915>
to thy throat
<03930>_,
if thou [be] a man given
<01167>
to appetite
<05315>_.
NASB ©
And put
<7760>
a knife
<7915>
to your throat
<3930>
If
<518>
you are a man
<1167>
of
great
appetite
<5315>
.
LXXM
kai
<2532> 
CONJ
epiballe
<1911> 
V-PAD-2S
thn
<3588> 
T-ASF
ceira
<5495> 
N-ASF
sou
<4771> 
P-GS
eidwv
<3708> 
V-RAPNS
oti
<3754> 
CONJ
toiauta
<5108> 
A-APN
se
<4771> 
P-AS
dei
<1210> 
V-PAI-3S
paraskeuasai
<3903> 
V-AAN
NET [draft] ITL
and put
<07760>
a knife
<07915>
to your throat
<03930>
if
<0518>
you
<0859>
possess
<01167>
a large appetite
<05315>
.
HEBREW
hta
<0859>
spn
<05315>
leb
<01167>
Ma
<0518>
Kelb
<03930>
Nykv
<07915>
tmvw (23:2)
<07760>
NETBible

and put a knife to your throat 1  if you possess a large appetite. 2 

NET Notes

1 sn The expression “put a knife to your throat” is an idiom that means “curb your appetite” or “control yourself” (cf. TEV). The instruction was from a time when people dealt with all-powerful tyrants. To enter the presence of such a person and indulge one’s appetites would be to take a very high risk.

2 tn Heb “lord of appetite.” The idiom בַּעַל נֶפֶשׁ (ba’al nefesh) refers to someone who possesses a large appetite (cf. NAB “a ravenous appetite”). A person with a big appetite is in danger of taking liberties when invited to court.