Proverbs 5:20

20 My son, why be infatuated with an unknown woman? Why embrace the body of a loose woman?

Proverbs 5:20 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 5:20

And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman,
&c.] Or "err with her" F25; after all those inconveniences and miseries that follow upon a conversation with a harlot, and all those advantages of a marriage state set before thee; why wilt thou be, so foolish and mad as to have a fondness for an harlot and dote upon her, and neglect entering into a marriage state, or forsake the wife of youth? and yet though things are so clearly stated and aptly represented, and the expostulation made in the most tender and affectionate manner; it is suggested as if after all it would not be attended unto, but a harlot be preferred to a wife of youth, a filthy beast to a loving hind, and dirty puddles of water in a ditch to running streams from a well or fountain; and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
that is not thy wife; a description of unlawful love and impure embraces, which are dissuaded from.


FOOTNOTES:

F25 "Errares", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "aberrares", Cocceius.

Proverbs 5:20 In-Context

18 Let your fountain, the wife of your youth, be blessed; find joy in her
19 a lovely deer, a graceful fawn; let her breasts satisfy you at all times, always be infatuated with her love.
20 My son, why be infatuated with an unknown woman? Why embrace the body of a loose woman?
21 For ADONAI is watching a man's ways; he surveys all his paths.
22 A wicked person's own crimes will trap him, he will be held fast by the ropes of his sin.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.