Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 6

Verses 1-5

The Mind of Man: The Path of the Loose Tongue - Sin first enters the heart (Proverbs 5:1-23), then it corrupts the mind (Proverbs 6:1-5), and finally, it defiles the body (Proverbs 6:6-11).

Proverbs 5:1-23 shows the path of the adulteress as it defiles the heart. This passage (Proverbs 6:1-5) will show the path of the loose tongue. It is this loose tongue that will bring a man into bondage by making bad decisions. Proverbs 6:6-11 will show the path of the sluggard as it destroys the life of a man.

Once the heart is corrupted, then the mind of man and his tongue become defiled. Note:

Matthew 15:11, “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”

Luke 6:45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

Therefore, Proverbs 6:1-5 deals with the issue of making rash promises in order to please friends, who are really not friends, but rather, strangers. Decisions bring us into relationships with others. This is represented by the handshake in Proverbs 6:1. All decisions affect others. This passage of Scripture teaches us that if you find yourself making promises that you cannot keep, make every effort to deliver yourself from these promises.

One verse that could summarize the theme of this passage found in 2 Corinthians 6:14.

2 Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

We are not to be in covenants and agreements with others when it is unhealthy and not Scripturally founded. We should examine all of our commitments with others, with friends and organizations. We should lay aside those that do not please the Lord. We should find God’s plan for our lives and give our energies to those activities that God has ordained that we walk in.

Proverbs 6:1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

Proverbs 6:1 “My son, if thou be surety for thy friend” - Word Study on “surety” - Gesenius says the Hebrew word ( עָרַב ) (H6148) means, “to be surety, to be liable for another’s debt.” He translates Isaiah 38:14, “take me under thy protection,” and Job 17:3, “be surety in the cause which I have with thee.” Holladay say it means, “Stand surety for” (Genesis 43:9; Genesis 44:32), “step in for” (Isaiah 38:14, Job 17:3) (Psalms 119:122), “pledge oneself as surety for debts” (Proverbs 22:26), “give security on behalf of” (Proverbs 6:1).

Best illustrations: Genesis 38:12-26; Genesis 43:9; Genesis 44:32-34, Exodus 22:26-27, 1 Samuel 17:18, 2 Kings 4:1-7; 2 Kings 14:14, Job 17:3, Psalms 119:122, Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 17:18; Proverbs 20:16; Proverbs 22:26-27; Proverbs 27:13, Isaiah 38:14.

Illustration: Judah becomes surety for Benjamin’s life:

Genesis 43:9, “I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:”

Comments - There are a number of other words in the Hebrew for “pledge.” Gesenius says the Hebrew word “pledge” ( חָבַל ) (H2254) means, “To bind someone by a pledge, to take a pledge from someone.”

1. Ezekiel 18:16, “withholden the pledge” ( KJV), “has not restored (to the debtor) his pledge” ( AmpBible), “retain a pledge” ( NASB). (also Ezekiel 18:12; Ezekiel 33:15)

2. Deuteronomy 24:6 says not to take in pledge something that hinders a man from working and bringing himself income for livelihood. Millstones are used to grind in the mill (Isaiah 47:2).

3. Deuteronomy 24:17 “nor take a widow’s raiment to pledge.” Also Exodus 22:26-27 Deuteronomy 24:6.

4. Job 22:6 “taken pledges of your brothers without cause”, Job 24:3 “they take the widows ox for a pledge.”

5. Amos 2:8 - They commit fornication upon garments taken as pledges beside every attar. These garments were to be restored by night.

( עֲבוֹט ) (H5667) - Deuteronomy 24:10-13 - How to take a pledge from someone.

( עֲרָבוֹן ) (H6162) - Genesis 38:17-20 - Judah and Tamar.

Proverbs 6:1 “if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger” Word Study on “striken” - Gesenius says the Hebrew word “strike” ( תָּקַע ) (H8628) means, “To strike in becoming security.” Best illustrations: Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 17:18; Proverbs 22:26, Job 17:3.

Comments - The NIV reads, “struck hands in pledge for a stranger.” The shaking of a hand represents agreements and decisions that we make with others.

Proverbs 6:1 Comments - In a business environment, Proverbs 6:1 gives a warning of trying to please man. A business manager makes many decisions and comes into many agreements. A seasoned manager learns to make decisions that are carefully studied and weighted against the possible benefits and disadvantages of the company. In making these agreements, he learns to overcome the urge to please man out of fear. This verse describes a person who makes quick decisions that have little thought and research into them. It shows a man who is trying to please others out of fear, rather than trying to look out for his interests, or the interests of his company. We are not to be in covenant with strangers. It will hinder our ability to make godly decision because we will be coming in agreement with the world and compromising the principles of God’s Word.

Proverbs 6:1 Scripture References - Note a similar verse:

Proverbs 11:15, “He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.”

Proverbs 6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

Proverbs 6:2 Word Study on “taken” Strong says the Hebrew word “taken” ( לָכַד ) (H3920) means, “to catch, to capture.”

Proverbs 6:3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.

Proverbs 6:3 Word Study on “make sure” Strong says the Hebrew word “make sure” ( רָהַב ) (H7292) means, “to urge severly, to importune, to embolden, to capture, to insolently.” Webster says the word “importune” means, “to request with urgency.”

ASV, “Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, Seeing thou art come into the hand of thy neighbor: Go, humble thyself, and importune thy neighbor;”

Proverbs 6:4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.

Proverbs 6:4 Comments - A person who has made such a foolish decision that incurs loss well knows how easy it is to lay awake at night and fret over how to get out of this situation. Therefore, this verse reveals God's remedy to deliverance. We are to wait on Him in the stillness of night for a revelation from heaven on how to escape from our mistakes.

My pastor has wisely said that if you do not pray about going into an agreement, then you will certainly pray getting out of it. God can bring you out, but not without some loss of sleep.

Proverbs 6:5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

Proverbs 6:5 Comments - An animal caught in a trap is a great illustration of how great an effort must be taken in escaping from the snares of death.

I remember being told by a Texas farmer the story of how a deer escaped from his barbed wire fence. He came into his field in the morning to find the hind leg of a deer hanging in his tangled fence. The deer had fallen into the fence while leaping over it. In its struggle between life and death, the deer had torn off his hind leg in a desperate effort to escape.

I once caught a young bird with the intent of putting it in a cage. The bird fought with all of its little strength and managed to escape from my hands.

Proverbs 6:3-5 Comments - The Remedy Proverbs 6:3-5 gives us the remedy to those who have made unwise agreements with others. It tells us to make every effort to get free from those covenants.

Verses 1-11

The Three Paths to Destruction - Once we receive the call from wisdom in chapter 1, and are shown how to find it in chapter 2, and what blessings come as a result of answering the call of wisdom in chapter 3, and we learn how wisdom transforms our lives in chapter 4, both spirit, soul and body, we are then shown how sin enters our lives and transforms us in chapter Proverbs 5:1 through Proverbs 6:11. Sin will first enter our hearts (Proverbs 5:1-23), then it will corrupt our minds (Proverbs 6:1-5) and finally, it will defile our bodies (Proverbs 6:6-11).

Proverbs 5:1 thru Proverbs 6:11 can be entitled “The Three Paths to Destruction.” This passage of Scripture gives us warnings about some of the most common paths of destruction that people fall into. Man's heart can lead him into bondage through the path of the adulteress (Proverbs 5:1-23). Man's lack of understanding can bring him into bondage because of his tongue, which is coming into agreement with the wisdom of this world (Proverbs 6:1-5). Man's body can bring him into the bondage of poverty through slothfulness (Proverbs 6:6-11). We are taken behind the scenes to see the fearful end of those who follow these three deceitful paths.

Just as the three paths of wisdom manifest themselves in the lives of those who follow her path, so does the fool show outward manifestations of the path that he is on.

Heart - If a person with a transformed heart (Proverbs 4:1-9) will manifest a “crown of glory” (Proverbs 4:9) with an outward peace and anointing, then the corrupted heart of the person who is on the path of adultery (Proverbs 5:1-23) is manifested by being in bondage to sins (Proverbs 5:22).

Mind - For those who have a renewed mind (Proverbs 4:10-19), their lives reflect someone who is able to make wise decisions in which they do not stumble (Proverbs 4:12; Proverbs 4:18). But those with a corrupted mind (Proverbs 6:1-5) will be manifested as a person who cannot make sure decisions, but is constantly agreeing to things to please others (Proverbs 6:1-2).

Body - Those who allow the Word of God to direct their bodies (Proverbs 4:20-27) will be manifest as those who live a long and health life (Proverbs 4:22). In contrast, those who do not yield their bodies to serve the Lord become people who indulge in fleshly passions, which addictions cause a person to become a sluggard (Proverbs 5:6-11). This is manifested as poverty (Proverbs 6:11), which will be seen in the life of the sluggard.

As we step back and evaluate the lessons that we have learned thus far, we find a common factor in each of these sections. They all begin with wisdom calling us to take heed to God’s Words. Every one of these sections, the three paths of wisdom as well as the three paths of the fool, all begin with this same charge. This is because when we take time each day to mediate and study God’s Word, we allow our minds and hearts to become established in the truth so that we will not be deceived by all of the noise from the world.

Outline - Note the proposed outline:

1. The Heart - Warnings of the Adulteress Proverbs 5:1-23

2. The Mind - Warnings of the Loose Tongue Proverbs 6:1-5

3. The Body - Warnings against Laziness Proverbs 6:6-11

Verses 1-35

God the Father’s Foreknowledge: Calling Us to Our Journey (Preparation for the Journey) Most scholars consider Proverbs 1-9 to be a discourse, or a tribute, to wisdom. This section serves as an introduction to Solomon’s collection of wise, pithy sayings that follows. This introductory material is a preparation for being able to understand the rest of the book. Its underlying emphasis is the divine calling that God gives to every human being. Therefore, we find the statement of wisdom “crying out,” “uttering her voice” and “calling” used repeatedly throughout this section of Proverbs.

In these first nine introductory chapters, wisdom is personified as a person speaking in the feminine gender. Just as an artist sketches an outline of a painting, then splashes colors upon the canvas, until a beautiful painting emerges, so in these chapters of Proverbs does wisdom begin to reveal itself verse by verse (as an artist reveals a picture color by color) until chapter 8, when wisdom is seen as an intimate part of God and His creation. Wisdom is personified as a person speaking because man would be incapable of understanding his experiences in life without divine wisdom being given to him. This impartation is done in the person of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom is personified as a woman because the Hebrew word translated as “wisdom” is in the feminine gender.

These chapters contrast the table of blessings (Proverbs 9:1-6) with the trap of death (Proverbs 1:17-19, Proverbs 9:18). The wise man chooses wisdom's table of blessings. In contrast, the fool chooses the trap of death, supposing that it is a table of blessing. Studying this introduction is a necessary preparation for finding one’s way through the rest of the book of Proverbs. Thus, a drama immediately unfolds in the introduction, revealing to us how wisdom sets a man free, but the trap of death ensnares its victims in the strongholds of sin. These strongholds do not turn its captives loose until it completes its assignment of death. In contrast, wisdom leads a man into his rightful place of glory and honor above God’s creation (Proverbs 3:35, Proverbs 31:30), and into submission to his Creator.

This section of Proverbs is actually a call to follow the path of wisdom, in which wisdom presents his arguments for choosing the path of wisdom over the path of the fool. God calls mankind to righteousness in this present Church age through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit that has been sent upon the earth, who convicts the world of sin righteousness and judgment (John 16:7-11); but prior to this age God called mankind to righteousness through wisdom, which testified from Creation (Romans 1:19-23), and from society. We see in these chapters that wisdom is a path that is to be diligently followed. Wisdom is a decision that is made on a daily basis, and these daily decisions will determine our destiny, both in this life and in the life to come. This book of wisdom contrasts the wise man with the fool throughout the book. As we will see in Proverbs, every decision that we make is either a wise decision, or a foolish one. Every decision affects our eternal destiny. This section begins with a call to follow wisdom (Proverbs 1:7-9), and ends by explaining how every human being decides between destinies, heaven or hell (Proverbs 9:1-18).

In the path of wisdom, there are many dangers. It is for this reason these nine chapters give us many warnings against the evil man and the adulteress, even before the real journey begins. The path of wisdom is narrow and easily missed. All of us have fallen off this path at one time or another in our lives. This book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon, considered the wisest person that has ever lived. Yet, even he fell off this path of wisdom because he allowed pride to blind his vision and dull his hearing. This gives us an indication of how narrow is this path to follow.

Pride is an attitude of the heart. It is the very reason that Solomon fell into idolatry. It is the root cause of every man's failure. It comes clothed in many forms, such as false humility and it clothes itself in man-made titles of honour, such as “honorable, his lordship, his excellence, his grace, cardinal, pope, etc.” For example, the Pope in Rome carries the title of “His Holiness”. These nine chapters open and close with Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10, which reveal the secret of avoiding failure, which is caused by pride. We are told that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10). This fear keeps us from falling off the path of wisdom.

This introductory material in Proverbs 1-9 makes up almost one third of the book. Why is this introduction to Proverbs so lengthy relative to the overall length of the book? It is because the preparation for our journey in life is also lengthy. Solomon was taught for many years before he took the throne as king of Israel. Good training takes time and a good education does not come quickly. The degree that a person receives a secular education usually determines the height of his career. In comparison, the degree that a person becomes rooted and grounded in the Word of God will determine the height of that person's ministry. You must take the time to receive this introductory training in the first nine chapters of Proverbs before you are ready for the journey. The better we are able to understand the introduction of the book of Proverbs, the better we will be able to understand the rest of its teachings.

For hundreds of years in western civilization, a theological education was a part of a well-rounded education. All students learned the classical languages of Hebrew, Greek and Latin in order to study theological literature. The children of Israel were also to give each child a theological education. Solomon received such an education. Therefore, we can see this introduction to Proverbs as the theological training that everyone should go through in preparation for the journey in life.

One further note is worth mentioning about chapters 1-9. Upon reading, we must ask the question as to why this lengthy introduction in Proverbs spends so much time describing and warning the readers about the harlot. Perhaps because this is the one area that trapped and deceived Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived. This is the area that Solomon knows many of the young men he is training for leadership positions in the kingdom will be tempted. In addition, in a figurative sense, such spiritual adultery represents a believer who chooses to love the things of this world above his love for God.

Outline Here is a proposed outline:

1. The Call of Wisdom to Young & Tender Proverbs 1:7-33

2. Answering Wisdom’s Call (A Hearing Heart) Proverbs 2:1-22

3. The Blessings of Wisdom Proverbs 3:1-35

4. Three Paths of Wisdom Proverbs 4:1-27

5. Three Paths of Destruction Proverbs 5:1 to Proverbs 6:11

6. Characteristics of the Evil People Proverbs 6:12 to Proverbs 7:27

7. Characteristics of Wisdom Proverbs 8:1-36

8. Wisdom’s Final Call (Food for the Journey) Proverbs 9:1-18

Verses 6-11

The Physical Body of Man: The Path of the Sluggard - Sin first enters the heart (Proverbs 5:1-23), then it corrupts the mind (Proverbs 6:1-5), and finally, it defiles the body (Proverbs 6:6-11). This explains why Jesus taught that it was not what went into the mouth that defiled the man, but that which came out of the mouth that defiled him.

Matthew 15:11, “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”

Proverbs 5:1-23 shows the path of the adulteress as it defiles the heart. Proverbs 6:1-5 shows the path of the loose tongue as it defiles the mind. Proverbs 6:6-11 will show the path of the sluggard as it destroys the life of a man. Thus, the theme of this passage is that the path of laziness will destroy a man by bringing him to poverty.

Illustration - I grew up as a child having to work in the garden and feed the animals. I thought that Dad was being too hard on us. However, when I grew up and began to work on a job, I quickly saw its value. My willingness to work hard has benefited me all of my adult life.

Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

Proverbs 6:6 Comments - Of all of God's creatures, the ant becomes the greatest example of business. The ant is constantly in motion. As I type this note, I am watching ants crawl across the kitchen table searching for any meager scraps.

Proverbs 6:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

Proverbs 6:8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

Proverbs 6:8 “Provideth her meat in the summer” Scripture References - Note a similar verse:

Proverbs 10:5, “ He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”

Proverbs 6:9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

Proverbs 6:10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

Proverbs 6:9-10 Comments - When we first wake up in the morning we want to turn over and sleep a little longer.

Proverbs 6:11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

Proverbs 6:11 “So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth” Comments - A woman knows how quickly labour pains can set in and increase in intensity.

Proverbs 6:11 Comments - If we have not sowed any seed, one day a need will come and there will be no provision. Slothfulness was the reason for lack. It cannot be blamed on God. Laziness does not profit us in the kingdom of God.

Proverbs 6:10-11 Scripture References - Note the same verse in Proverbs 24:33-34 and a similar verse in Ecclesiastes 4:5:

Proverbs 24:33-34, “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.”

Ecclesiastes 4:5, “The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.”

Verses 12-19

The Characteristics of the Wicked Man - This passage gives the characteristics of the wicked man.

Proverbs 6:12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.

Proverbs 6:12 Word Study on “A naughty person” The Hebrew phrase “a naughty person” ( אָדָם בְּלִיַּעַל ) literally reads, “a person of Belial.” The term, “sons of Belial,” became a common phrase in the Old Testament to describe wicked men (Deuteronomy 13:13, 1 Samuel 2:12). By New Testament times, this term was equated with Satan (2 Corinthians 6:15).

Deuteronomy 13:13, “Certain men, the children of Belial , are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;”

1 Samuel 2:12, “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial ; they knew not the LORD.”

2 Corinthians 6:15, “And what concord hath Christ with Belial ? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”

Proverbs 6:12 Word Study on “froward” - Strong says the Hebrew word “froward” ( עִקּשׁוּת ) (H6143) means, “perversity,” and it comes from the root verb ( עָקַשׁ ) (H6140) that means, “ to distort, to pervert.”

Proverbs 6:12 Comments - Proverbs 6:12-19 give a summary of t he characteristics of the wicked man. Proverbs 6:12 begins by giving a brief summary of his characteristics before the rest of the verses go into details. That is, the wicked man, a demon-influenced person, a carnal minded person, can most easily be identified by the perverse words that come out of his mouth. In other words, the mouth is the quickest means by which a person can be identified.

Proverbs 6:13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;

Proverbs 6:13 “He that winketh with the eye” Word Study on “winketh” - Strong says the Hebrew word for “wink” ( קָרַץ ) (H7169) means “to pinch, to bite the lips, blink the eyes (as a gesture of malice), or (fully) to squeeze off (a piece of clay in order to mould a vessel from it).” It is used five times in the Old Testament.

Comments - The author has now warned his son of the wink of the eye. This characteristic speaks of the attitude of the heart. This description will appear quickly on the journey that begins in Proverbs 10:0. On his journey in life, he can now quickly recognize this man as a wicked person.

Proverbs 10:10, “He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.”

David also spoke about the wink of the eye in the book of Psalms.

Psalms 35:19, “Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.”

The other two uses are found in:

Job 33:6, “Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

Proverbs 16:30, “He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.”

We see another passage in the book of Job about the wink of the eye used in the context of a wicked person.

Job 15:12-13, “Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at , That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest such words go out of thy mouth?”

The Hebrew word used in Job 15:12 is ( רָזַם ) (H7335), which means, “to twinkle the eye (in mockery).” This is the only place in the Old Testament where this Hebrew word is used. Thus, from the context of Psalms 35:19 and Job 15:12, we can see that this is a person whose heart is rejoicing over and mocking others, since the eye represents the heart. We see this idea clearly in Proverbs 30:17.

Proverbs 30:17, “ The eye that mocketh at his father , and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.”

Thus, the eye represents the heart of man. The wink of the eye represents a proud, haughty heart that despises and looks down upon others.

Proverbs 6:13 “he speaketh with his feet” Comments - A man’s feet symbolize the path that he is on in this life. Within the context of the book of Proverbs, a path represents a person’s decisions. This characteristic reveals the way the evil man thinks and the decisions he makes in life. For as you watch where someone walks, as you see what path he takes in his life, as you see the friends he hangs around with, you can know his way of thinking. Iron sharpens iron, and a friend sharpens a friend to become just like him (Proverbs 27:17). Therefore, this phrase refers to the mind of the evil man.

The phrase “to speak with the feet” is used nowhere else in the Scriptures. However, there are many verses that associate feet with evil. Note:

Proverbs 1:15, “My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path :”

Proverbs 1:16, “ For their feet run to evil , and make haste to shed blood.”

Proverbs 3:23, “Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble .”

Proverbs 4:27, “Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil .”

Proverbs 5:5, “ Her feet go down to death ; her steps take hold on hell.”

Proverbs 6:18, “An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief ,”

Therefore, this phrase seems to means that you can recognize a wicked man by the path that he is on, whether he is on the path of righteousness or the path of evil deeds. A person will choose this path by his mind, understanding, will and emotions, thus representing the soul of man. The path that a man is walking on speaks loudly to us about his character. Thus, he speaks with his feet.

Proverbs 6:13 “he teacheth with his fingers” - Comments - The fingers are a part of the hands. These actions represent the actions that a person does with his body. It is by a man’s actions that you can judge his character.

Proverbs 6:13 Comments - The eye represents the heart; the feet represent the path that the decisions of the mind, will and emotions will lead a person; and the fingers, or hands, represent the actions of the body. Thus, the three-fold man is seen in this verse. Thus, when we judge a person's character, we not only listen to his words, but we watch the path that he walks, and we observe the works of his hands. All of these observations together will reveal to us the true character of a person.

Note that we can also see the actions of the three-fold part of man in the next verse.

Proverbs 6:14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

Proverbs 6:14 Word Study on “soweth” - Gesenius says the Hebrew word “soweth” ( שָׁלַח ) (H7971) means, “he excites, (sends) strife.” Holladay says it literally means, “he sets free, i.e., lets it loose,” and in the Piel, “He really lets it fly, or sends it out. He casts, or throws, it out.”

Scripture References - Note other uses of this Hebrew word:

Proverbs 6:19, “A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren .”

Proverbs 16:28, “ A froward man soweth strife : and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”

Proverbs 6:14 Word Study on “discord” - Gesenius says the Hebrew word “discord” ( מָדוֹן ) (H4066) means, “Strife, contention.” Holladay says it means, “To quarrel, dispute, nag.” The Enhanced Strong says This Hebrew word is used 18 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV as, “strife 7, contention 3, discord 1, variant 7.” This Hebrew word occurs 15 in the book of Proverbs

Scripture References - Note other uses of this word:

Proverbs 15:18, “A wrathful man stirreth up strife : but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.”

Proverbs 26:20, “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.”

Proverbs 6:14 Comments - As in Proverbs 6:13, we can also see the actions of the three-fold part of man in this verse. Proverbs 6:14 seems to repeat Proverbs 6:13 by also describing the three-fold make-up of the wicked man, but from a different perspective. The heart of the evil person is seen in the phrase, “frowardness is in his heart”. The soul, or mind, of man is seen in the phrase, “he deviseth mischief continually.” The body is seen in the actions of the man, which is found in the phrase, “he soweth discord.” Thus, a wicked heart influences the mind to think of evil devises, and these evil thoughts result in wicked actions.

Proverbs 6:15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

Proverbs 6:15 “ suddenly shall he be broken without remedy” Word Study on “remedy” - Strong says the Hebrew word “remedy” means, “curative.” The Enhanced Strong says this word is used 16 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV as “ health 5, healing 3, remedy 3, incurable 1, cure 1, sound 1, wholesome 1, yielding 1.”

Comments - Note other uses of this same Hebrew word “remedy” dealing with divine judgment:

2 Chronicles 36:16, “But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy .

Proverbs 29:1, “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy .

The opposite of “remedy” would be “trouble or calamity.” Note the use of the same Hebrew as it is translated “health, healing”:

Jeremiah 8:15, “We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health , and behold trouble!”

Jeremiah 14:19, “Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing , and behold trouble!

Proverbs 6:15 Comments - The description of judgment in Proverbs 6:15 reminds us of Proverbs 1:24-32 when the sinner rejected wisdom’s call and chose calamities rather than peace and rest. This person is characterized by one who has problems in life and there seems to be no help. He does not understand why such bad things happen to him.

Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

Proverbs 6:16 Word Study on “hate” - Strong says the Hebrew word “hate” ( שָׂנֵא ) (H8130) is a primary root that means, “to hate.”

Proverbs 6:16 Comments - An abomination is something abominable, detestable, offensive.

Proverbs 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Proverbs 6:19 Word Study on “discord” Webster defines the word “discord” as “disagreement, or lack of concord (agreement) and may imply quarreling: strife or dissension, disagreement, especially with violence involved.”

Proverbs 6:19 Comments - A person who sows discord plants seeds, which cause discord in the lives of others. He may not be involved in the quarreling, but he can plant seeds with a word here or there that causes attitudes to harden against others. Kenneth Copeland taught how the Lord spoke to him on the subject of slander and said, “You had better give the wrong man a break than to break the wrong man.” [70]

[70] Kenneth Copeland, “Sermon,” ( Southwest Believers Convention, Kenneth Copeland Ministries, Fort Worth, Texas), 8 August 2008.

Proverbs 6:16-19 Comments - Numerical Collections Proverbs 6:16-19 uses numerical collections to teach us. This style of wisdom literature is also used in Job 5:19, Job 33:14, Proverbs 30:0, Ecclesiastes 11:2 and in Amos 2:3. Scholars believe that the phrase “six...seven” is intended to mean that this list is not exhaustive.

Comments - Seven Pillars of Wickedness - Just as Proverbs 9:1 refers to seven pillars in the house of wisdom, so does Proverbs 6:16-19 contrast the seven pillars of the house of the wicked. These seven pillars are listed in this passage.

Proverbs 9:1, “Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:”

This passage lists the seven primary characteristics of a wicked man.

Verses 12-35

The Characteristics of Evil People: Earthly Wisdom Proverbs 6:12 to Proverbs 7:27 is a lengthy passage of Scripture deals with the characteristics of evil people, both the wicked man and the adulteress. This passage of Scripture teaches us about the nature of earthly wisdom, which is described as “earthly, sensual and devilish” (James 3:15).

James 3:15, “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.”

As we step back and evaluate the lessons that we have learned thus far, we find a common factor in each of these sections. They all begin with wisdom calling us to take heed to God’s Words. Every one of these sections, the three paths of wisdom as well as the three paths of the fool, all begin with this came charge. This is because when we take time each day to mediate and study God’s Word, we allow our minds and hearts to become established in the truth so that we will not be deceived by all of the noise from the world.

Outline Here is a proposed outline:

1. The Characteristics of the Wicked Man (Proverbs 6:12-19)

2. The Characteristics of the Adulteress (Proverbs 6:20 to Proverbs 7:27)

The Adulteress Woman - Proverbs 5-7 deals in large part with the issue of an adulteress woman. Why would this lengthy introduction spend so much time describing and warning the readers about the harlot? Perhaps because this is the one area that trapped and deceived Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived. Also, in a figurative sense, such spiritual adultery represents a believer who chooses to love the things of this world above his love for God. This seduction led to his backsliding from God. Therefore, much attention is given to this issue in the writings of Solomon.

1 Kings 11:4, “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.”

An interesting writing on the seduction of women is given in a writing called The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs. [69]

[69] The author writes, “Pay no heed, therefore, to the beauty of women, and muse not upon their doings; but walk in singleness of heart in the fear of the Lord, and be labouring in works, and roaming in study and among your flocks, until the Lord give to you a wife whom He will, that ye suffer not as I did. Until my father's death I had not boldness to look stedfastly into the face of Jacob, or to speak to any of my brethren, because of my reproach; and even until now my conscience afflicteth me by reason of my sin. And my father comforted me; for he prayed for me unto the Lord, that the anger of the Lord might pass away from me, even as the Lord showed me. From henceforth, then, I was protected, and I sinned not. Therefore, my children, observe all things whatsoever I command you, and ye shall not sin. For fornication is the destruction of the soul, separating it from God, and bringing it near to idols, because it deceiveth the mind and understanding, and bringeth down young men into hell before their time. For many hath fornication destroyed; because, though a man be old or noble, it maketh him a reproach and a laughing-stock with Beliar and the sons of men. For in that Joseph kept himself from every woman, and purged his thoughts from all fornication, he found favour before the Lord and men. For the Egyptian woman did many things unto him, and called for magicians, and offered him love potions, and the purpose of his soul admitted no evil desire. Therefore the God of my fathers delivered him from every visible and hidden death. For if fornication overcome not the mind, neither shall Beliar overcome you. Hurtful are women, my children; because, since they have no power or strength over the man, they act subtilly through outward guise how they may draw him to themselves; and whom they cannot overcome by strength, him they overcome by craft. For moreover the angel of God told me concerning them, and taught me that women are overcome by the spirit of fornication more than men, and they devise in their heart against men; and by means of their adornment they deceive first their minds, and instil the poison by the glance of their eye, and then they take them captive by their doings, for a woman cannot overcome a man by force.” ( The Testaments Of The Twelve Patriarchs 1.5-4)

Verses 20-23

The Effects of the Word of God upon our Spirit Man Before Solomon takes us out into the street to see the behaviour of the adulteress, he gives us the remedy and means to avoid her seduction. We must first spend time with the Lord and in His Word in order to strengthen us. Proverbs 6:20-23 tells us that if we will place the Word of God into our hearts that it will speak to us.

Illustration - It has been my personal experience that when I have studied the Scriptures late at night and I lay down to rest, His Word begins to give me insight and revelation as I shut my eyes, as I dream and even when I awake the next morning. If I begin my day with the Word of God, I find it being quickened to my heart during the day. If I neglect His Word that day, then I have no experiences with the Word that day. This is how God has created us and how He has designed His Word to be at work in our lives. You have noticed that the more you spend time with God the more you hear His voice.

Our partaking of God’s Word is how we prepare and strengthen our spirit, our inner man, for this journey into the world and into the path where the adulteress stalks her prey. A person deceives himself when he thinks that God will speak to him when he has not been in the Word of God. If the Word of God is not on our mind, then we will not be keen to discern the voice of God. If we are dull of hearing from the Lord, we will be more likely to listen to the voice of the world, or to the voice of reason. It is only when we partake of God’s Word that our spirits become sensitive to the voice of God. The Word of God has been designed to speak to us when we plant it in our hearts. This is the way God designed us to be led by the Spirit.

I have been around some great businessmen who loved the Lord and in the presence of some of the greatest ministers in the world today. I have noticed that they all take time to make decisions. They often prefer to sleep on a matter before making a decision in order to listen for the voice of God. When I have given them my presentation or my opinion on a matter, they listen, but then they take the time to wait on the Lord and hear from Him before a decision is made.

We must also recognize the fact that Proverbs 2-8 emphasizes the process of indoctrination on our spiritual journey. Thus, we now are told in Proverbs 6:20-23 how indoctrination works in the make-up of the human being.

Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Proverbs 6:21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

Proverbs 6:22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

Proverbs 6:22 “When thou goest, it shall lead thee” - Comments - When we are going about during a busy day and making decisions, it is at that time that we need guidance and someone to lead the way. We are not in a place for a dream or a vision. We are not in the appropriate place for a divine visitation from the Lord. But God can bring a verse to our remembrance. How often has a verse of Scripture been quickened to my heart during a busy day to give me guidance.

Proverbs 6:22 “when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee” Word Study on “keep” - Strong says the Hebrew word “keep” ( שׁמַר ) (H8104) means, “to hedge about, i.e. to guard,” thus, “to protect to attend to.” The Enhanced Strong says it is used 468 times in the Old Testament, being translated in the KJV as, “ keep 283, observe 46, heed 35, keeper 28, preserve 21, beware 9, Mark 8:0, watchman 8, wait 7, watch 7, regard 5, save 2, misc 9.”

Comments - When we are asleep, we are most vulnerable. It is at this time that we need protection. How often the Lord has given to me spiritual dreams while sleeping that give me understanding.

If I do a lot of late night Bible study, I have the Lord speak to me more often in the night. Remember King Nebuchadnezzar who had a dream in the night. Daniel explained to him that it was because the king had been meditating on what would take place in the future. God spoke to him in the night season to show him. Unfortunately, the king was too undisciplined to write down his dream. So he forgot it and needed the ministry of Daniel to recall his dream and to interpret it. But even Daniel had to sleep on it so that God would reveal it to him in a night vision (Daniel 2:19).

Proverbs 6:22 “and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee” - Comments - How often I have been awakened by a word from the Lord early in the morning. This is a time when the Word of God that has been planted in your heart and mind seems to speak back to you, although, we know that this is the Spirit of God quickening His word to our hearts in the quietness of early morning.

Proverbs 6:22 Comments - Many of us as believers have experienced Proverbs 6:22 where a verse from God’s Word’s has spoken to us. God has quickened a verse to our hearts to lead us as we go throughout day. His Word has spoken to us to in the night by a dream or vision in order to guard us. The Spirit of God has spoken to us directly or by a vision as we were waking up in the morning. But we must first learn to pray in the morning, and before bedtime in order to prepare our hearts to hear the voice of the Lord. This is the way we have been created to hear the voice of God.

Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

Proverbs 6:23 “and reproofs of instruction are the way of life” - Comments - Correction and discipline are a part of the journey that leads down the path of life. There is no way to avoid it if one is to stay on this journey. The “way of life” is the path that leads to abundant living.

Proverbs 6:23 Comments - If we will hide God’s Word within our hearts, then we will experience this Word being quickened to us during the day when we need direction. The Word of God becomes our light to give us instructions. It has been hidden in our hearts and now becomes an inner light that leads us. Our mind of reason may tell us to do it one way, but our hearts tell us something else. Our flesh and bodies tell our mind to satisfy its cravings, but the Word of God planted in our hearts says no. We must learn to listen to the voice of wisdom, which speaks to our hearts. We must understand how wisdom speaks before venturing out into the world. Because the adulteress will try to gain access to our minds through all five sense-gates. We have to be able to block her entrance.

Verses 20-35

The Characteristics of the Adulteress - Note that we have just finished a passage on the characteristics of the wicked man (Proverbs 6:12-19). Now we have a lengthy passage of Scripture that deals with the characteristics of the adulteress (Proverbs 6:20 to Proverbs 7:27). We have been given a brief glimpse of her characteristics in Proverbs 2:16-19; Proverbs 5:3-6. Now the Preacher is going to give his students a full revelation through this lengthy discourse on a personality that invades every leader’s life.

Outline Here is a proposed outline:

1. The Effects of the Word of God upon our Spirit Man Proverbs 6:20-23

2. The Cunning Devises of the Adulteress Proverbs 6:24 to Proverbs 7:27

The Graphic Description of the Adulteress - The description of the dark street and the seduction of the simple-minded youth by the adulteress sounds as if the Preacher is recalling something that actually happened. Perhaps King David taught Solomon about the severe consequences of adultery (Proverbs 6:20-35), which he himself had experienced, by taking his son out into the streets to show him how the adulteress works (Proverbs 7:1-27). This event would have forever been imprinted into the mind of young Solomon so that he never forgot what he saw. David did not want his son to fall in the same way that he had fallen. He knew how Satan would tempt his son the way he was tempted. Unfortunately, this is the area in which Solomon also fell. Therefore, Solomon dedicates a lengthy passage to this area because he knows and understands how powerful this strange woman can be in the life of a man of God.

The Steps of Adultery Contrasted with the Steps of Marriage - Once King David taught Solomon about the severe consequences of adultery (Proverbs 6:20-35), which he himself had experienced, he then takes his son out on the streets to show him how the adulteress works (Proverbs 7:1-27). We can identify her method of seduction by contrasting it to the holy wedding ceremony of the bride and the groom found in Song of Solomon 3:6 to Song of Solomon 5:1. The adulteress woos her victims by presenting herself in seductive clothing (Proverbs 7:9-12), while the bridegroom presents himself in all of his wealth and glory (Song of Solomon 3:6-11). The groom displays his strength and wealth, while the adulteress displays her appearance. While the bridegroom sings a love song to his bride (Song of Solomon 4:1-15), the adulteress romances her victim with words of seduction (Proverbs 7:13-20). Finally, the wedding is consummated in the marriage bed (Song of Solomon 4:16 to Song of Solomon 5:1), while the adulteress lures her victim into the bed of adultery (Proverbs 7:21-23). The outcome of the marriage bed is rest and fulfillment of God’s divine plan for two individuals, while the outcome of adultery is destruction.

Verses 24-35

The Cunning Devises of the Adulteress The adulteress is cunning and crafty. She seeks the life of her victim. She has a goal and she knows how to reach her goal, which is to gain a man’s wealth even when it costs him his life. She knows that to get a man’s wealth, she has to first win his heart. If she can take his heart, she knows that he will give his strength to fulfill the passions of his heart. He will yield his strength to obtain the wealth that is needed to bring him the desires of his heart. Thus, she gets him to use his strength to yield his wealth to her. He will be brought to a piece of bread and even give his life when he is bound in service to the adulteress. She understands this principle because she has tested it from her youth. From the time that men started noticing her she started testing her boundaries and her power of seduction. She knows how to use her secret strength called seduction. With it she can force the strongest of men to yield their wealth to her.

Let us follow this procedure of seduction. Her goal is to win his heart by means of enticement and seduction. She must first gain control over his mind. With control over his mind she can control his will. With control over his will she will capture his heart, which will lead him to use his strength to gain his wealth. She will not turn loose until she has brought him to a piece of bread and taken away his life.

The battle begins with an attempt to enter the man’s mind. The entrances into the mind are through the five sense-gates of hearing, seeing, touching, tasting and smelling. This is the way God created man. The adulteress first uses her tongue to get the attention of her victim, and by flattery she enter the sense-gate of hearing (Proverbs 6:24, Proverbs 7:10). Her words are loud and persistent (Proverbs 7:11) and she does not give up easily. She can then enter the sense-gate of the eyes by dressing to reveal her fleshly body (Proverbs 6:25). She knows from experience that few men will turn their eyes away from her fleshly beauty. This is why she must leave her domestic duties and go out into the streets (Proverbs 7:12). Once she has gained access to his mind through the sense gates of hearing and seeing, she grabs him to arouse the sense-gate of touch (Proverbs 7:13). With a bold kiss she enters the sense-gate of taste (Proverbs 7:13). Her perfume arouses the sense-gate of smell with which she has also prepared her bed (Proverbs 7:17). Thus, she has entered his five sense-gates: hearing, seeing, touching, tasting, smelling.

With all five sense-gates aroused the simple man has no strength to resist. It takes a man of God to walk away from that situation. It takes a man who has already made the decision to say no in this situation. She has now captured his mind and moves into the next phase of seduction, which is reason. She speaks to him and convinces him with lying lips that he has captured her heart (Proverbs 7:14-15), when the opposite is actually true. With her persistence and her reason she forces him to yield (Proverbs 7:16-21). He loses his sense of reason and yields himself to her reason, becoming blind to the fact that it will cost him his life (Proverbs 7:22-23). She has now captured his mind. With time in the bed of adultery she intends on taking her victim into the next phase, which is to capture his heart. Once she has his heart, she will be able to direct his paths and ultimately gain his wealth.

In a similar way, wisdom asks for our hearts also. Because once wisdom has our hearts, she can lead us down the path that brings us blessings in every area of our lives.

Outline Here is a proposed outline:

1. The Shame of Falling Prey to the Adulteress Proverbs 6:24-35

2. Exhortation to Put God’s Word Before our Eyes Proverbs 7:1-5

3. The Setting: Alluring the Five Sense-Gates Proverbs 7:6-13

4. Capturing the Mind Proverbs 7:14-21

5. Controlling the Heart Proverbs 7:22-23

6. Final Warning Proverbs 7:24-27