Proverbs 5:1-4

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 5:1

Attend unto my wisdom - Take the following lessons from my own experience. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 5:3

The lips of a strange woman - One that is not thy own, whether Jewess or heathen. Drop as a honey-comb - She uses the most deceitful, flattering, and alluring speeches: as the droppings of the honey out of the comb are the sweetest of all. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 5:4

Bitter as wormwood - כלענה Kelanah , like the detestable herb wormwood, or something analogous to it: something as excessive in its bitterness, as honey is in its sweetness. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 5:1

The admonitory address is very similar to that in Proverbs 4:20 , except that here the teacher says," Attend to my wisdom, bow down thine ear to my understanding, " instead of "Attend to my words, and incline thine ear unto my saying ." It is not merely "wisdom" and "understanding" in the abstract, but wisdom which he has appropriated to himself, made his own, and which he knows by experience to be true wisdom. It may therefore have the sense of experience and observation, both of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 5:1-14

Meretricious pleasures and their results I. GENERAL ADMONITION . ( Proverbs 5:1-3 .) Similar prefaces to warnings against unchastity are found in Proverbs 6:20 , etc.; Proverbs 7:1 , etc. The same forms of iteration for the sake of urgency are observed. A fresh expression is, "That thy lips may keep insight." That is, let the lessons of wisdom be oft conned over; to keep them on the lips is to "get them by heart." "Consideration" ( Proverbs 7:2 ), circumspection,... read more

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