John Gill Commentary Proverbs 23:31

"Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, When it sparkleth in the cup, When it goeth down smoothly:" — Proverbs 23:31 (ASV)

Look not thou upon the wine when it is red
Or, "because it is red" ^F18 ; 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 signifies; and then it should not be looked upon: not that it is unlawful to look upon the colour of wine, and thereby judge of its goodness; but it should not be looked upon with a greedy eye, so as vehemently to desire it, which will lead to an intemperate use of it; just as looking upon a woman, so as to lust after her, is forbidden, (Matthew 5:28) ; when it giveth its colour in the cup :
or, its eye in the cup ^F19 ; such a bright, brisk, and beautiful colour, as is like a bright and sparkling eye. Here is a various reading; it is written in the text, "in the purse" ^F20 ; it is read in the margin, "in the cup"; and Jarchi's note takes in both, ``he that drinks wine sets his eye on the cup; and the vintner sets his on his purse;'' [when] it moveth itself aright ;
sparkles in the glass, or goes down the throat pleasantly; or rather looks well to the eye, and appears right and good, and promises a great deal of satisfaction and delight.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F18: (yk) "quia", some in Mercerus, Gejerus.
• F19: (wnye) "oculum suum", Montanus, Gejerus, Michaelis.
• F20: (oykb) "in crumena, vel marsupio", Mercerus.