Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 5

Introduction

CHAPTER 5

:-. A warning against the seductive arts of wicked women, enforced by considering the advantages of chastity, and the miserable end of the wicked.

Verse 1

1. This connection of wisdom and understanding is frequent (Proverbs 2:2; Proverbs 3:7); the first denotes the use of wise means for wise ends; the other, the exercise of a proper discrimination in their discovery.

Verse 2

2. regard—or, "observe."

keep—preserve constantly.

Verse 3

3. (Compare :-). Her enticing promises are deceitful.

Verse 4

4. her end—literally, "her future," in sense of reward, what follows (compare Psalms 37:37; Psalms 73:17). Its nature is evinced by the use of figures, opposite those of Psalms 73:17- :. The physical and moral suffering of the deluded profligate are notoriously terrible.

Verse 5

5. feet . . . , steps—that is, course of life ends in death.

Verse 6

6. her ways . . . know—Some prefer, "that she may not ponder the path of life," c. but perhaps a better sense is, "her ways are varied, so as to prevent your knowledge of her true character, and so of true happiness."

Verse 8

8, 9. Avoid the slightest temptation.

Verse 9

9. thine honour—in whatever consisting, strength (Proverbs 3:13) or wealth.

thy years—by cutting them off in dissipation.

unto the cruel—for such the sensual are apt to become.

Verse 10

10. wealth—literally, "strength," or the result of it.

labours—the fruit of thy painful exertions (Psalms 127:2). There may be a reference to slavery, a commuted punishment for death due the adulterer (Deuteronomy 22:22).

Verse 11

11. at the last—the end, or reward (compare Proverbs 5:4).

mourn—roar in pain.

flesh and . . . body—the whole person under incurable disease.

Verse 12

12-14. The ruined sinner vainly laments his neglect of warning and his sad fate in being brought to public disgrace.

Verse 14

14. evil—for affliction, as in Genesis 19:20; Genesis 49:15.

Verse 15

15-20. By figures, in which well, cistern, and fountain [Proverbs 5:15; Proverbs 5:18] represent the wife, and rivers of waters [Proverbs 5:16] the children, men are exhorted to constancy and satisfaction in lawful conjugal enjoyments. In Proverbs 5:16- :, fountains (in the plural) rather denote the produce or waters of a spring, literally, "what is from a spring," and corresponds with "rivers of waters."

Verse 17

17. only thine own—harlots' children have no known father.

Verse 18

18. wife . . . youth—married in youth.

Verse 19

19. loving . . . roe—other figures for a wife from the well-known beauty of these animals.

breasts—(Compare Song of Solomon 1:13; Ezekiel 23:3; Ezekiel 23:8).

ravished—literally, "intoxicated," that is, fully satisfied.

Verse 20

15-20. By figures, in which well, cistern, and fountain [Proverbs 5:15; Proverbs 5:18] represent the wife, and rivers of waters [Proverbs 5:16] the children, men are exhorted to constancy and satisfaction in lawful conjugal enjoyments. In Proverbs 5:16- :, fountains (in the plural) rather denote the produce or waters of a spring, literally, "what is from a spring," and corresponds with "rivers of waters."

Verse 21

21. The reason, God's eye is on you,

Verse 22

22, 23. and He will cause sin to bring its punishment.

Verse 23

23. without instruction—literally, "in want of instruction," having refused it (compare Job 13:18; Hebrews 11:24).

go astray—literally, "be drunken." The word "ravished" (Hebrews 11:24- :) here denotes fulness of punishment.