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Proverbs 5

23 verses

TL;DR

Proverbs 5 warns against the seductive allure of a promiscuous woman, urging the young man to remain faithful to a committed spouse and to seek wisdom instead of illicit pleasures.

Summary

The chapter opens with a paternal exhortation to heed wisdom and understanding, emphasizing the value of discretion and the safeguarding of one’s words. The prophet warns of the deceptive charm of a foreign woman, describing her sweetness and beauty that masks a bitter and deadly end. He admonishes the young man to keep clear distance from such a woman, to avoid the doors of her house and to resist the temptation to give honor to strangers. The narrative then shifts to a reflection on the dangers of neglecting instruction, lamenting the consequences of ignoring reproof and failing to obey teachers. Finally, the passage contrasts the virtuous relationship with a beloved wife—symbolized by a loving hind and pleasant roe—with the peril of an illicit affair, concluding that all human paths are seen by the Lord, and misdeeds lead to bondage and death.

Outline
  1. Paternal call to wisdom and discretion
  2. Warning against a deceptive foreign woman
  3. Contrast between marital fidelity and illicit temptation
Themes
Wisdom vs. follyTemptation and self-controlDivine judgment and human responsibility
Keywords
wisdomdiscretionknowledgetemptationmarriageloveobedienceself-sufficiency
People
the LORD
Places
housedoorcouncilassemblyriver
Things
wisdomdiscretionknowledgehoneycombwormwooddeathhellwatercisternwellfountainriverlovemarriage
Key Verses
  • Proverbs 5:3: Illustrates the deceptive allure of a foreign woman, warning of hidden bitterness.
  • Proverbs 5:20: Highlights the core danger of being drawn to a stranger’s embrace.
Questions
  • Why does the author use vivid sensory imagery (sweetness, bitterness) to describe the foreign woman?
  • How does the concept of self-sufficiency in water relate to spiritual independence?
  • What does this chapter suggest about the relationship between instruction and moral decision-making?
  • In what ways does the warning against a 'strange woman' apply to contemporary contexts of temptation?
  • How does the passage connect human choices with divine observation and judgment?
Sentiment

mixed
The text juxtaposes cautionary warnings with hopeful exhortations, yielding a balanced tone.