Mishle 5:3

3 For the sfatayim (lips) of a zarah (strange woman) drip as a honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than shemen (olive oil);

Mishle 5:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 5:3

For the lips of a strange woman drop [as] an honeycomb
"Mulsa dicta", "honey words", as is Plautus's ^F5 expression. The Septuagint and Arabic versions premise something here which is not in the Hebrew text,

``do not give heed to a wicked woman;''

and the Vulgate Latin version,

``to the fallacy of a woman:''

but there is no need to connect the words by such a supplement; since, as they lie, they give a reason why it was necessary to attend to wisdom and understanding, in order to act discreetly and speak knowingly; since there is so much danger of being drawn aside by a wicked woman, a lewd and adulterous one; the kisses of whose lips, her confabulations and songs, are as pleasing to the carnal senses of men as honey is sweet to the taste; she promises them a great deal of pleasure in her embraces, and in the enjoyment of her: so the poet ^F6 describes an agreeable voice to be sweeter than the honeycomb; and her mouth [is] smoother than oil;
her fair speeches, enticing words, and flattering fawning language, and amorous expressions, easily find their way and slide into the hearts of men, to prevail upon them to listen to her, and yield to her temptations. Gersom interprets this strange woman of the imaginative faculty; and Jarchi of heresy: it is applicable enough to the whore of Rome; who, by the blandishments of pomp and grandeur, and the allurements of wealth and riches, draws many into her idolatrous practices; which are spiritual adultery, signified by her golden cup, ( Revelation 17:4 ) .

---

FOOTNOTES:

F5 Rudens, Act. 2. Sc. 3. v. 84. Poenulus, 1, 2. v. 112.
F6 (fwna glukerwtera h melikhrw) , Theocrit. Idyll. 21.

Mishle 5:3 In-Context

1 Beni (my son), attend unto my chochmah, and bow thine ozen to my tevunah (understanding);

2 That thou mayest regard mezimah (discretion), and that thy sfatayim (lips) may keep da’as (knowledge).

3 For the sfatayim (lips) of a zarah (strange woman) drip as a honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than shemen (olive oil);

4 But her end is marah (bitter) as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged cherev.

5 Her raglayim go down to mavet; her steps lead to Sheol.