Proverbs 2:18

18 Therefore her house inclines unto death, and her paths unto the dead.

Proverbs 2:18 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 2:18

For her house inclineth unto death
Bends, verges, and points that way; it lies in the way to death, and brings unto it, and sinks into it as into a ditch; or all that are in her house, that are familiar with her, live and dwell with her, and commit wickedness with her; these incline or are liable to lose, and do lose, their name, character, and reputation, which is a death upon them; and bring diseases upon their bodies, which issue in corporeal death; or are in danger of dying by the hand of the injured husband, or the civil magistrate; and also are exposed unto eternal death: or "she inclines to death, which is her house" ^F24, so Aben Ezra and Kimchi; and to which the Targum agrees,

``for in the pit of death is her house:''

that is, the house she at last comes to and must dwell in, and all that are ensnared by her; see ( Proverbs 5:5 ) ( Revelation 21:8 ) ; and the second death will be the portion of the whore of Rome and all her followers, ( Revelation 14:10 Revelation 14:11 ) ( 17:8 ) ( 19:20 ) ; and her paths unto the dead;
that is, her evil ways in which she walks, and into which she draws others to join with her; these lead both her and them to the "damned" ^F25 in hell, to keep company with them, and be punished as they are: the word "rephaim", here used, sometimes signifies "giants", and so the Targum renders it here; and may refer to the giants of the old world, who were cut off for their debauchery and uncleanness, ( Genesis 6:4 Genesis 6:11 Genesis 6:12 ) ; and with whom such persons shall be for ever.

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 (hytb twm la) "ad mortem quoad domum suam", Cocceius; "ad mortem domum suam", Gejerus; "quod ad domum suam", Michaelis.
F25 (Myapr la) "ad damnatos", Tigurine version; "ad orcinos", Schultens.

Proverbs 2:18 In-Context

16 to deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger who flatters with her words,

17 who forsakes the prince of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God.

18 Therefore her house inclines unto death, and her paths unto the dead.

19 None that go unto her return again, neither do they take hold of the paths of life.

20 That thou may walk in the way of good men and keep the paths of the righteous.