Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
Solomon here gives fair warning against the sin of drunkenness, to confirm what he had said, Pro 23:20. I. He cautions all people to keep out of the way of temptations to this sin (Pro 23:31): Look not thou upon the wine when it is red. Red wine was in Canaan looked upon as the best wine, it is therefore called the blood of the grape.
Commenting on Proverbs 23:29-35
Look not thou upon the wine when it is red,.... Or, "because it is red" (r); or shows itself red. Which was the only wine used in the land of Canaan, or, however, the most esteemed of, and that most of art which had the best colour; when it had a good, bright, red colour, or sparkled, and looked bright and beautiful, so the word...
when . . . red--the color denoting greater strength (compare Gen 49:11; Deu 32:14). giveth . . . cup--literally, "gives its eye," that is, sparkles. moveth . . . aright--Perhaps its foaming is meant.