Proverbs5
English Standard Version
1My , be to my ; your to my ,
2that you may , and your may .
3 the of a , and her is ,
4but in the she is as , as a .
5Her to ; her follow the to ;
6she not the of ; her , and she does it.
7And , O , to me, and do the of my .
8 her, and do go the of her ,
9 you your to and your to the ,
10 take their of your , and your go to the of a ,
11and at the of your life you , when your and are ,
12and you , I , and my !
13I did to the of my my to my .
14I am at the of the .
15 your own , your own .
16Should your be , of in the ?
17Let them be for yourself , and for with you.
18Let your be , and in the of your ,
19a , a . Let her you at with ; be in her .
20 should you be , my , with a and the of an ?
21 a are the of the Lord, and he his .
22The of the him, and he is in the of his .
23He for of , and because of his he is .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 5.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Exhortations to wisdom. The evils of licentiousness. (1–14). Remedies against licentiousness, The miserable end of the wicked. (15–23).
vv1-14
Solomon cautions all young men, as his children, to abstain from fleshly lusts. Some, by the adulterous woman, here understand idolatry, false doctrine, which tends to lead astray men's minds and manners; but the direct view is to warn against seventh-commandment sins. Often these have been, and still are, Satan's method of drawing men from the worship of God into false religion. Consider how fatal the consequences; how bitter the fruit! Take it any way, it wounds. It leads to the torments of hell. The direct tendency of this sin is to the destruction of body and soul. We must carefully avoid every thing which may be a step towards it. Those who would be kept from harm, must keep out of harm's way. If we thrust ourselves into temptation we mock God when we pray, Lead us not into temptation. How many mischiefs attend this sin! It blasts the reputation; it wastes time; it ruins the estate; it is destructive to health; it will fill the mind with horror. Though thou art merry now, yet sooner or later it will bring sorrow. The convinced sinner reproaches himself, and makes no excuse for his folly. By the frequent acts of sin, the habits of it become rooted and confirmed. By a miracle of mercy true repentance may prevent the dreadful consequences of such sins; but this is not often; far more die as they have lived. What can express the case of the self-ruined sinner in the eternal world, enduring the remorse of his conscience!
vv15-23
Lawful marriage is a means God has appointed to keep from these destructive vices. But we are not properly united, except as we attend to God's word, seeking his direction and blessing, and acting with affection. Ever remember, that though secret sins may escape the eyes of our fellow-creatures, yet a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, who not only sees, but ponders all his goings. Those who are so foolish as to choose the way of sin, are justly left of God to themselves, to go on in the way to destruction.
Key Words
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
קָשַׁב: to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken
חׇכְמָה: wisdom (in a good sense)
נָטָה: to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application
אֹזֶן: broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
תָּבוּן: intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
שָׁמַר: properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
מְזִמָּה: a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity)
שָׂפָה: the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
נָצַר: to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
Cross References
Proverbs 5Parallels the warning against the flattering words of the strange, adulterous woman.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct thematic connection where the path of the loose woman leads down to death.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The house of the strange woman as the direct way to hell/sheol.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Affirms that God sees all of man's secret ways and counts all his steps.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Illustrates the flattering, smooth, and enticing speech of the adulterous woman.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Elaborates on losing honor, meeting the cruel, and the relentless rage of the husband.
Supported by Matthew Poole
New Testament command honoring the marriage bed as the undefiled alternative to whoremongering.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Contrasts the 'wife of thy youth' with the strange woman who forgets her covenant.
Supported by JFB
Condemns dealing treacherously against the wife of one's youth, the companion of covenant.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Underlines the self-destructive nature and lack of understanding in committing adultery.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Confirms the bitter end of the woman whose heart is snares and nets.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Practical warning to avoid and pass far from the path of temptation.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Classic passage on God's absolute omniscience regarding all of man's paths.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Reflects the tragic regret of having set at nought counsel and despised reproof.
Supported by Matthew Poole