Proverbs 5:20 - Exposition

And why ; i.e. what inducement is there, what reason can be given, for conjugal infidelity, except the lewd and immoral promptings of the lower nature, except sensuality in its lowest form? Ravished . The verb shagah recurs, but in a lower sense, as indicating "the foolish delirium of the libertine hastening after the harlot" (Zockler). With a strange woman (Hebrew, b'zarah ); i.e. with a harlot. On zarah, see Proverbs 2:16 and Proverbs 7:5 . The be ( בְּ ) localizes the sources of the intoxication. Embrace (Hebrew, t'khab-bek ). On this verb, see Proverbs 4:8 . The bosom of a stranger (Hebrew, kheh nok'riyyah ) . A parallel expression having the same force as its counterpart. The more usual form of khek is kheyk, and means "the bosom" of a person. In Proverbs 16:33 it is used of the lap, and in Proverbs 17:23 and Proverbs 21:14 for the bosom or folds of a garment.