Proverbs 5

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 5:2

This verse expresses the purposes or results of the preceding admonition. The first is, that thou mayest regard discretion (Hebrew, lishmor m'zimmoth ); literally, to guard reflection ; i.e. in other words, that thou mayest maintain thoughtfulness, observe counsel, set a proper guard or control over thy thoughts, and so restrain them within proper and legitimate limits, or form such resolutions which, being well considered and prudential, may result in prudent conduct. The word ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 5:3

The teacher enters upon the subject of his warning, and under two familiar figures—common alike to Oriental and Greek writers—describes the nature of the "strange woman's" allurements. For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb . The conjunction "for" (Hebrew ki ) here, like the LXX . γὰρ , states the reason why the preceding exhortation is worthy of attention. Some commentators render "although," "albeit," as corresponding with the antithetical "but" in Proverbs 5:4 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 5:4

The contrast is drawn with great vividness between the professions of the "strange woman" and the disastrous consequences which overtake those who listen to her enticements. She promises enjoyment, pleasure, freedom from danger, but her end is bitter as wormwood. "Her end," not merely with reference to herself, which may be and is undoubtedly true, but the last of her as experienced by those who have intercourse with her—her character as it stands revealed at the last. So it is said of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 5:5

Proverbs 5:5 and Proverbs 5:6 continue the description of the harlot. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell . She leads her victims to ruin. She hastens to death and the grove, and so do all those who listen to her. In all instances where the teacher speaks of the harlot at length he gives the same description of her (cf. Proverbs 2:18 ; Proverbs 7:27 ; Proverbs 9:18 ). An intensifying of the language is observable in the second hemistich. The descending progress... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 5:6

Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are movable, that thou canst not know them. This verse should be rather rendered, she walks not in the path of life, her ways fiuctuate, she knows not. It consists of a series of independent proposiyions or statements, all of which are descriptive of the singularly fatuous conduct of "the strange woman." In the previous verse the teacher has said that her conduct leads to ruin; he here further emphasizes the idea by putting forward the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 5:7

The subject of which the teacher is heating demands the utmost attention of youth. Enough, it might be supposed, had been said to deter from intercourse with the "strange woman." She has been portrayed in her real colours, plunging recklessly into ruin herself, and carrying her victims with her; deceitful, full of intrigues, neither walking in nor knowing the way of life. But the warning is amplified and made more impressive. There is another side of the picture, the complete bodily and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 5:7-14

The ruinous consequences of indulgence in illicit pleasures. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 5:8

Remove thy way far from her. In other words, this is the same as St. Paul counsels, "Flee fornication" ( 1 Corinthians 6:14 ). From her ( mealeyah ; desuper ea ) . The term conveys the impression that the youth has come within the compass of her temptations, or that in the highest degree he is liable to them. The Hebrew meal, compounded of min and al, and meaning" from upon," being used of persons or things which go away from the place in or upon which they had been. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 5:9

The reasons why the harlot is to be avoided follow in rapid succession. Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel. The word rendered "honour" (Hebrew, hod ) is not so much reputation, as the English implies, as "the grace and freshness of youth." It is so used in Hosea 14:6 ; Daniel 10:8 . The Vulgate renders "honour," and the LXX ; ζώη , "life." Hod is derived from the Arabic word signifying "to lift one's self up," and then "to be eminent,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 5:10

Another temporal consequence of, and deterrent against, a life of profligacy. Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger . The margin reads, "thy strength" for "thy wealth," but the text properly renders the original koakh, which means "substance," "wealth," "riches"—the youth's possessions in money and property (Delitzsch). The primary meaning of the word is "strength" or "might," as appears from the verb kakhakh, "to exert one's self," from... read more

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