ScriptureDepth's study of Proverbs 5
“Remove your way far from her. Don’t come near the door of her house,”
Proverbs 5:8
The father instructs his son to avoid temptation by staying away from the 'door' of the adulteress's house, setting the course for wise living.
What Proverbs 5 is about
Proverbs 5 warns against the seductive allure of adultery, urging readers to stay faithful to their spouse. The chapter begins with advice to avoid the temptress, highlighting her sweet-talking lips that lead to bitterness and eventual ruin. The passage emphasizes the consequences of following such a path, which leads to loss of honor, wealth, and ultimately life itself.
In contrast, the chapter elevates the virtues of marital fidelity, encouraging enjoyment and satisfaction in one’s own spouse. This counsel serves as a metaphor for faithfulness to wisdom and God’s commands, illustrating how unfaithfulness leads to devastation. The theological significance lies in how adherence to God's ways brings life and blessing, while deviation results in destruction.
Proverbs 5 at a glance
- Proverbs 5:1–2Call to Listen to Wisdom
- Proverbs 5:3–6Warning Against Adultery
- Proverbs 5:7–10Instructions on Avoidance
- Proverbs 5:11–14Consequences of Ignoring Wisdom
- Proverbs 5:15–20Embrace Marital Fidelity
- Proverbs 5:21–23Divine Oversight and Consequences
Key verse: Proverbs 5:8
One thing to notice
The theme of divine oversight is evident throughout the chapter, culminating in verses 21-23. The text states, 'For the ways of man are before Yahweh’s eyes,' and concludes with the idea that 'He will die for lack of instruction,' noting accountability before God.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Proverbs 5 (WEB)
Call to Listen to Wisdom Proverbs 5:1–2
1Verse 1. My son, pay attention to my wisdom.Turn your ear to my understanding:2Verse 2. that you may maintain discretion,that your lips may preserve knowledge.
Warning Against Adultery Proverbs 5:3–6
3Verse 3. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey.Her mouth is smoother than oil,4Verse 4. but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood,and as sharp as a two-edged sword.5Verse 5. Her feet go down to death.Her steps lead straight to Sheol.6Verse 6. She gives no thought to the way of life.Her ways are crooked, and she doesn’t know it.
Instructions on Avoidance Proverbs 5:7–10
7Verse 7. Now therefore, my sons, listen to me.Don’t depart from the words of my mouth.8Verse 8. Remove your way far from her.Don’t come near the door of her house,9Verse 9. lest you give your honor to others,and your years to the cruel one;10Verse 10. lest strangers feast on your wealth,and your labors enrich another man’s house.
Consequences of Ignoring Wisdom Proverbs 5:11–14
11Verse 11. You will groan at your latter end,when your flesh and your body are consumed,12Verse 12. and say, “How I have hated instruction,and my heart despised reproof;13Verse 13. neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers,nor turned my ear to those who instructed me!14Verse 14. I have come to the brink of utter ruin,among the gathered assembly.”
Embrace Marital Fidelity Proverbs 5:15–20
15Verse 15. Drink water out of your own cistern,running water out of your own well.16Verse 16. Should your springs overflow in the streets,streams of water in the public squares?17Verse 17. Let them be for yourself alone,not for strangers with you.18Verse 18. Let your spring be blessed.Rejoice in the wife of your youth.19Verse 19. A loving doe and a graceful deer—let her breasts satisfy you at all times.Be captivated always with her love.20Verse 20. For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress?Why embrace the bosom of another?
Divine Oversight and Consequences Proverbs 5:21–23
21Verse 21. For the ways of man are before Yahweh’s eyes.He examines all his paths.22Verse 22. The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him.The cords of his sin hold him firmly.23Verse 23. He will die for lack of instruction.In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Proverbs 5
fidelity
Marital fidelity is a central focus of this chapter. In verses 15-20, the text compares a faithful marriage to drinking water from one's own cistern, stating, 'Drink water out of your own cistern, running water out of your own well.' This metaphor urges the reader to value their own spouse and remain devoted, contrasting this with the allure of an adulteress, which serves as a caution against wandering from fidelity.
consequences of adultery
The consequences of adultery are starkly outlined in the text. Verses 3-6 describe the seductive nature of the adulteress, stating that 'the lips of an adulteress drip honey' but lead to bitter and deadly outcomes. The chapter warns that engaging in such behavior results in loss of honor and wealth, culminating in groans over the ruin that follows, as expressed in verses 11-14.
wisdom vs folly
This chapter presents a clear contrast between wisdom and folly, especially regarding sexual conduct. In verses 1-2, there is a call to 'pay attention to my wisdom' so that one may maintain discretion. The text argues that ignoring wisdom leads to destruction, as seen in verses 22-23, where the 'evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him' and ultimately lead to death because of folly.
blessings of faithfulness
The blessings associated with marital faithfulness are articulated in verses 18-19, where the writer encourages rejoicing in 'the wife of your youth.' This section emphasizes mutual satisfaction and delight in one's spouse, contrasting the fleeting pleasures of an adulteress with the enduring joy found in a loyal relationship. The chapter conveys that faithful love brings true fulfillment and blessing, fostering a happy and healthy life.
Chapter outline
How Proverbs 5 unfolds
Proverbs 5:1–2 Call to Listen to Wisdom
The teacher instructs the son to 'pay attention' and 'turn your ear' to wisdom and understanding (vv. 1-2), emphasizing the need for 'discretion' and 'knowledge' for a successful life.
Proverbs 5:3–6 Warning Against Adultery
The adulteress's lips 'drip honey' and her mouth is 'smoother than oil' (v. 3), but her end is 'bitter as wormwood' with 'feet' that lead to 'death' and 'Sheol' (vv. 4-6).
Proverbs 5:7–10 Instructions on Avoidance
The father instructs the son to avoid the adulteress entirely (v. 8), warning of the loss of honor and wealth that can result from engaging with her (vv. 9-10).
Proverbs 5:11–14 Consequences of Ignoring Wisdom
The son is warned that he will 'groan' at his end when he realizes he has 'hated instruction' and 'despised reproof' (vv. 11-14), lamenting his refusal to heed his teachers.
Proverbs 5:15–20 Embrace Marital Fidelity
The son is urged to 'drink water out of your own cistern' and enjoy the 'wife of your youth' (vv. 15-19), contrasting this with the futility of pursuing an adulteress.
Proverbs 5:21–23 Divine Oversight and Consequences
The text states that 'the ways of man are before Yahweh’s eyes' (v. 21) and that 'the evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him' leading to death for lack of instruction (vv. 22-23).
Key verses
Proverbs 5:8The father instructs his son to avoid temptation by staying away from the 'door' of the adulteress's house, setting the course for wise living.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Proverbs 5
- observeIn v3, what do the 'lips of an adulteress' say that sounds appealing?
- observeWhy does the author advise in v8 to 'remove your way far from her'?
- interpretIn v22, what does it mean that 'the evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him'?
- interpretIn v10, what are the implications of 'your labors enrich another man's house'?
- applyWhen have you been tempted to pursue something that seemed sweet, as in v3?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Proverbs 5
- Proverbs 4Proverbs 5:1 and Proverbs 4:20Both urge attention to wisdom: Proverbs 5:1 says, "pay attention to my wisdom," while Proverbs 4:20 states, "attend to my words."
- Proverbs 7Proverbs 5:8 and Proverbs 7:25Both caution against temptation: Proverbs 5:8 says, "Remove your way far from her," while Proverbs 7:25 states, "Don’t let your heart turn to her ways."
- Proverbs 1Proverbs 5:12 and Proverbs 1:7Both speak of rejecting wisdom: Proverbs 5:12 says, "How I have hated instruction," while Proverbs 1:7 states, "the foolish despise wisdom and instruction."
- Proverbs 15Proverbs 5:21 and Proverbs 15:3Both affirm God's awareness: Proverbs 5:21 states, "He examines all his paths," while Proverbs 15:3 says, "Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere."
- 2 Chronicles 16Proverbs 5:21 and 2 Chronicles 16:9Both express God's examination: Proverbs 5:21 states, "He examines all his paths," while 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "Yahweh’s eyes run back and forth throughout the whole earth."
- Hebrews 13Proverbs 5:15 and Hebrews 13:4Both honor marital fidelity: Proverbs 5:15 says, "Drink water out of your own cistern," while Hebrews 13:4 states, "Let marriage be held in honor among all."
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Proverbs 5
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Proverbs: the whole bookProverbs trains character.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 154Day 154 of 365: Proverbs 5–8.
- WisdomWhat the Bible says about wisdom, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
Proverbs 5: frequently asked questions
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