Proverbs 5:4

4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.

Read Chapter Compare

PREVIOUS Proverbs 5:3 NEXT Proverbs 5:5

Proverbs 5:4 in Other Translations

KJV

4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.

ESV

4 but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

NLT

4 But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword.

MSG

4 But it won't be long before she's gravel in your mouth, a pain in your gut, a wound in your heart.

CSB

4 in the end she's as bitter as wormwood and as sharp as a double-edged sword.

Proverbs 5:4 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 5:4

But her end is bitter as wormwood
Which is opposed to the honeycomb her lips are said to drop; so that, as Juvenal says ^F7, "plus aloes quam mellis habet": the end which she brings persons to, or the issue of complying with her, is bitterness; such as loss of credit, substance, and health, remorse of conscience, and fear of death, corporeal and eternal; see ( Ecclesiastes 7:26 ) ; sharp as a twoedged sword;
which cuts every way; as committing sin with an harlot hurts both soul and body; and the reflection upon it is very cutting and distressing, and destroys all comfort and happiness. This is the reverse of her soothing and softening speech, which is as oil. Such also will be the sad case of the worshippers of the beast, or whore of Rome; who will gnaw their tongues for pain, and be killed with the twoedged sword that proceedeth out of the mouth of Christ, ( Revelation 16:10 ) ( Revelation 19:15 Revelation 19:21 ) .

FOOTNOTES:

F7 Satyr. 6. v. 180. "Lingua dicta dulcia dabis, corde amara facilis", Plauti Truculentus, Act. 1. Sc. 1. v. 77. Cistellaria, Act. 1. Sc. 1. v. 70, 71, 72.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Proverbs 5:4 In-Context

2 that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

3 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;

4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.

5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.

6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.

Cross References 1

1. Ecclesiastes 7:26

Proverbs 5:4

Share

Settings

Proverbs 5:4 in Other Translations

Proverbs 5:4 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 5:4 In-Context

Cross References 1