Proverbs 5:1-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 5:1-14

Here we have, I. A solemn preface, to introduce the caution which follows, Prov. 5:1, 2. Solomon here addresses himself to his son, that is, to all young men, as unto his children, whom he has an affection for and some influence upon. In God's name, he demands attention; for he writes by divine inspiration, and is a prophet, though he begins not with, Thus saith the Lord. ?Attend, and bow thy ear; not only hear what is said, and read what is written, but apply thy mind to it and consider it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5:1

My son, attend unto my wisdom ,.... Not the wisdom of the world or of the flesh, worldly wisdom and carnal policy; but spiritual and evangelical wisdom; such as one that is greater than Solomon has in him, even Christ; "for in him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge", Colossians 2:3 ; and which he teaches and communicates to others, even all proper instructions for conduct in life: the Gospel, and each of the doctrines of it, which are "the wisdom of God in a mystery", 1... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5:2

That thou mayest regard discretion ,.... Observe it; retain it in thine heart, as Aben Ezra adds, and use it; think, speak, and act discreetly, and so avoid the bad woman afterwards described: the Vulgate Latin version is, "that thou mayest keep the thoughts"; and so Gersom interprets the word; "good thoughts", according to the Septuagint version; the thoughts of the heart are to be observed. A man of spiritual wisdom will take notice of them; evil thoughts, which lead to uncleanness, are to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5:3

For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb ,.... "Mulsa dicta", "honey words", as is Plautus's F5 Rudens, Act. 2. Sc. 3. v. 84. Poenulus, 1, 2. v. 112. expression. The Septuagint and Arabic versions premise something here which is not in the Hebrew text, "do not give heed to a wicked woman;' and the Vulgate Latin version, "to the fallacy of a woman:' but there is no need to connect the words by such a supplement; since, as they lie, they give a reason why it was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5:4

But her end is bitter as wormwood ,.... Which is opposed to the honeycomb her lips are said to drop; so that, as Juvenal says F7 Satyr. 6. v. 180. "Lingua dicta dulcia dabis, corde amara facilis", Plauti Truculentus, Act. 1. Sc. 1. v. 77. Cistellaria, Act. 1. Sc. 1. v. 70, 71, 72. , "plus aloes quam mellis habet": the end which she brings persons to, or the issue of complying with her, is bitterness; such as loss of credit, substance, and health, remorse of conscience, and fear of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5:5

Her feet go down to death ,.... The ways in which she walks, and in which she leads others, issue oftentimes in corporeal death; and always in eternal death, if grace prevent not; and unless men are brought to a sense of sin, to repent of it and leave it. The Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, "the feet of imprudence" or "folly", in opposition to wisdom; that is, the feet of the foolish woman, such an one the harlot is; and such is the whore of Rome, notwithstanding all her boasted... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5:6

Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life ,.... Consider and meditate which is the way to get out of her hands and ways, and escape death, and obtain eternal life; lest those she has drawn into her wicked course of life should be religiously inclined, and think of quitting such a course, and inquire after the way of life and salvation; and be weighing in their minds which is most eligible, to continue with her whose feet lead to death, or to take the path of life: to prevent all this, if... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5:7

Hear me now therefore, O ye children ,.... Since such is the character, this the wretched end, and these the ways of the adulterous woman; those that are young in years, and liable to be ensnared by her, should hear what Solomon, or Christ, here says, for their caution and instruction; and especially such who are, or profess themselves to be, the children of God and of Christ; and therefore, as dear children, should be followers of them, and not of an harlot; and depart not from the words... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5:8

Remove thy way far from her ,.... The way of the mind, walk, and conversation; keep at the greatest distance from her; neither come where she is, nor look at her, nor converse with her; shun her, as one would the pest or a loathsome carcass; go a good way about rather than come near her, or be within sight of her, or so as to be in any danger of being ensnared by her; and come not nigh the door of her house ; not only not enter her chamber, but go not to her house; no, not over the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5:9

Lest thou give thine honour unto others ,.... To strumpets, their children, attendants, servants, and friends; that is, either wealth or riches, which make men honourable; or their three, credit, and reputation, which are lost by keeping company with such persons; or the outward comeliness of the body, and inward rigour of the mind, which are impaired by adulterous practices. The Targum renders it, "thy strength"; and so the Syriac version, "thy strength of body", which is enervated by such... read more

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