Proverbs 5

5:1-23 These instructions on embracing one’s wife and avoiding immoral women were originally addressed to young men just beginning their professional careers (see also 2:16-22; 7:1-27). This topic is also popular in ancient Egyptian wisdom writing.5:1-2 Paying attention to instruction results in discernment—the ability to tell a right action from a wrong one. These instructions are vitally important when dealing with an immoral woman.

5:3-4 The lips of the immoral woman seem sweet and enticing but are actually bitter and deadly. Sexual activity often begins with a kiss, and flattering words can entice.

5:5-6 A relationship with an immoral woman leads to death, as does a relationship with the woman named Folly (see 9:13-18).

5:9-10 An illicit relationship can be tempting, but it eventually brings shame. If the woman is a prostitute, the young man will have to pay her and thus lose income. If the woman is another man’s wife, he might have to pay her husband (see Lev 20:10).

5:11 Some sexually transmitted diseases were well known in the ancient Near East. Leviticus 15:1-15 describes what is probably gonorrhea; other texts from Mesopotamia describe “the disease of intercourse” and the “disease of Ishtar” (goddess of love) with the physical symptoms of venereal diseases.

5:15-18 To drink from one’s own well (see also Song 4:12, 15) is to enjoy sexual relations within marriage. Rather than expend sexual energy on immoral women, a man should cultivate a healthy sexual relationship with his wife. Sex is not to be shared with strangers. This honors marriage (Gen 2:22-25) and keeps the seventh commandment (Exod 20:14 and Deut 5:18).

5:19 deer: cp. Song 4:5.

5:21-23 Even if a man keeps an illicit relationship secret from his family and society, nothing is hidden from the Lord. Adultery is a sin against God (Gen 39:8-9).

5:22 Habitual sins are like ropes that catch and hold people.

5:23 He will die: Young men must exercise self-control because death can result from acting on sexual desire for what is forbidden.