The Meaning of Proverbs 23:6 Explained

Proverbs 23:6

KJV: Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

YLT: Eat not the bread of an evil eye, And have no desire to his dainties,

Darby: Eat thou not the food of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainties.

ASV: Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, Neither desire thou his dainties:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Eat  thou not the bread  of [him that hath] an evil  eye,  neither desire  thou his dainty meats: 

What does Proverbs 23:6 Mean?

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 23

1  Consider carefully what is before you

What do the individual words in Proverbs 23:6 mean?

Not do eat - the bread of a miser eye nor - desire his delicacies
אַל־ תִּלְחַ֗ם אֶת־ לֶ֭חֶם רַ֣ע עָ֑יִן וְאַל־ [תתאו] (תִּ֝תְאָ֗יו) לְמַטְעַמֹּתָֽיו

תִּלְחַ֗ם  do  eat 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: לָחַם 
Sense: to fight, do battle, make war.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
לֶ֭חֶם  the  bread 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: לֶחֶם  
Sense: bread, food, grain.
רַ֣ע  of  a  miser 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular construct
Root: רַע 
Sense: bad, evil.
עָ֑יִן  eye 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: עֹונָה 
Sense: eye.
וְאַל־  nor 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: אַל  
Sense: not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference).
[תתאו]  - 
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Imperfect Jussive, second person masculine singular
(תִּ֝תְאָ֗יו)  desire 
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Imperfect Jussive, second person masculine singular
Root: אָוָה  
Sense: desire, incline, covet, wait longingly, wish, sigh, want, be greedy, prefer.
לְמַטְעַמֹּתָֽיו  his  delicacies 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מַטְעָם  
Sense: tasty or savory food, delectable food, dainties.