Proverbs 5 Warning Against Adultery

A warning against the seductive arts of wicked women, enforced by considering the advantages of chastity, and the miserable end of the wicked

1

This connection of wisdom and understanding is frequent (Pr 2:2; 3:7); the first denotes the use of wise means for wise ends; the other, the exercise of a proper discrimination in their discovery.

2

regard — or, "observe." keep — preserve constantly.

3

(Compare Pr 2:16). Her enticing promises are deceitful.

4

her end — literally, "her future," in sense of reward, what follows (compare Ps 37:37; 73:17). Its nature is evinced by the use of figures, opposite those of Pr 5:3. The physical and moral suffering of the deluded profligate are notoriously terrible.

5

feet..., steps — that is, course of life ends in death.

6

her ways... know — Some prefer, "that she may not ponder the path of life," &c.; but perhaps a better sense is, "her ways are varied, so as to prevent your knowledge of her true character, and so of true happiness."

8,9

Avoid the slightest temptation.

9

thine honour — in whatever consisting, strength (Pr 3:13) or wealth. thy years — by cutting them off in dissipation. unto the cruel — for such the sensual are apt to become.

10

wealth — literally, "strength," or the result of it. labours — the fruit of thy painful exertions (Ps 127:2). There may be a reference to slavery, a commuted punishment for death due the adulterer (De 22:22).

11

at the last — the end, or reward (compare Pr 5:4). mourn — roar in pain. flesh and... body — the whole person under incurable disease.

12-14

The ruined sinner vainly laments his neglect of warning and his sad fate in being brought to public disgrace.

14

evil — for affliction, as in Ge 19:20; 49:15.

15-20

By figures, in which well, cistern, and fountain [Pr 5:15, 18] represent the wife, and rivers of waters [Pr 5:16] the children, men are exhorted to constancy and satisfaction in lawful conjugal enjoyments. In Pr 5:16, fountains (in the plural) rather denote the produce or waters of a spring, literally, "what is from a spring," and corresponds with "rivers of waters."

17

only thine own — harlots' children have no known father.

18

wife... youth — married in youth.

19

loving... roe — other figures for a wife from the well-known beauty of these animals. breasts — (Compare So 1:13; Eze 23:3, 8). ravished — literally, "intoxicated," that is, fully satisfied.

21

The reason, God's eye is on you,

22,23

and He will cause sin to bring its punishment.

23

without instruction — literally, "in want of instruction," having refused it (compare Job 13:18; Heb 11:24). go astray — literally, "be drunken." The word "ravished" (Pr 5:19) here denotes fulness of punishment.