Proverbs 5

CHAPTER 5

Warning Against Adultery (5:1–23)

1–6 In this chapter, the writer warns a young man (his son or disciple) to avoid the enticements of an adulteress (see Proverbs 2: 15–19). She is particularly dangerous because her lips drip honey (verse 3)—her words are sweet and tempting. But the sweetness she promises always turns to bitterness²⁹ (verse 4). She doesn’t realize (or acknowledge) how crooked her paths are (verse 6).

7–14 In these verses the writer describes in greater detail the danger of becoming involved with an adulteress. To become involved with such a woman means becoming entangled with her family as well. She may have children of her own who will demand your property, or a cruel and jealous husband who will publicly disgrace you (verses 9–10). Your sinful relations with the woman may result in venereal disease and emotional distress, such that your flesh and body become spent—depleted, exhausted (verse 11). When that happens, you will look back at your life with deep regret because you hated discipline and rejected the way of wisdom, and now it is too late (see Proverbs 1:28).

15–20 Here the writer teaches the young man an alternative course of action, the way of wisdom: Drink water from your own cistern (verse 15). In verses 15–18, the words cistern, water, springs, streams and fountain all refer to one’s own wife; she is likened to water because water is the thing that most refreshes a thirsty man. The writer is saying: let your own wife be the source of your refreshment and pleasure. . . . rejoice in the wife of your youth (verse 18). In your eyes let her be as a loving doe and a graceful deer—a person of grace and beauty (verse 19). Be captivated (enraptured) by her and not by some immoral woman who belongs to another!

In verse 16, the writer asks a rhetorical question: Should your springs overflow in the streets? Here again the word “springs” refers to one’s wife: should she be encouraged to offer her sexual favors in the public streets? Of course not! She is never to be shared with strangers (verse 17). Likewise, a husband should never share himself with other women.

In verse 20, the writer asks a second rhetorical question: Why be captivated . . . by an adulteress? Since one’s own wife brings joy and an adulterous woman brings utter ruin (verse 14), why would anyone choose to be captivated by an adulteress!³⁰

21–23 The writer concludes by reminding us that we may be able to hide our sins from our spouses and from others, but we can never hide them from God (see Psalm 11:4); they are in full view of the LORD (verse 21). The wicked man will be ensnared by his own evil deeds and die for lack of discipline (verses 22–23); he will die because he rejected wisdom and followed the way of folly (see Proverbs 1:29–32).