Short answer: Proverbs 5 is a warning against the seductive words of the forbidden woman and a call to fidelity in marriage. Solomon warns that the lips of the adulteress drip honey, but her end is bitter as wormwood. He calls the young man to drink water from his own cistern and to rejoice in the wife of his youth. The chapter warns that the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and that the wicked are ensnared by their own iniquity.
The setting of the passage
Proverbs 5 is a warning against the seductive words of the forbidden woman and a call to marital fidelity. Solomon begins by warning his son to pay attention to his wisdom and to incline his ear to understanding, so that he may keep discretion and that his lips may guard knowledge. The warning is urgent because the danger is real and the consequences are severe.
The seductive woman is described in vivid terms. Her lips drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil. But in the end, she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol. The initial appeal of forbidden pleasure leads to destruction. The warning is that what seems sweet at first becomes bitter in the end.
Solomon calls his son to stay far from the forbidden woman and not to go near the door of her house. The best defense against temptation is to avoid it entirely. He then calls the son to drink water from his own cistern and flowing water from his own well. The imagery celebrates the joy and satisfaction of marital love. The son is called to rejoice in the wife of his youth, whose love is captivating and satisfying.
The chapter warns that the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare them, and they are caught in the cords of their sin. They die for lack of discipline, and they are lost because of their great folly. The warning is that sin carries its own consequences.
For Christians, this chapter teaches the importance of sexual purity and marital faithfulness. The call to drink water from one's own cistern celebrates the goodness of marital love within God's design. The New Testament affirms that the marriage bed is undefiled and that sexual immorality is to be avoided. Christ is the bridegroom who is faithful to his bride, the church.
My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding, that you may maintain discretion, that your lips may preserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil, but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol. She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn’t know it.
Proverb 5:1-6 (World English Bible)
Key words and their meaning
The Hebrew word for 'honey' (nopheth) in verse 3 describes honeycomb or sweetness. The lips of the forbidden woman drip honey, but the sweetness is deceptive and leads to bitterness.
The word 'cistern' (bor) in verse 15 describes a pit or reservoir for water. Drinking water from your own cistern is a metaphor for finding satisfaction within your own marriage.
The word 'captivated' (shagah) in verse 19 means to be intoxicated or led astray. The husband is called to be intoxicated with love for his wife — a positive use of the word.
Now therefore, my sons, listen to me. Don’t depart from the words of my mouth. Remove your way far from her. Don’t come near the door of her house, lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel one; lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich another man’s house. You will groan at your latter end, when your flesh and your body are consumed, and say, “How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor turned my ear to those who instructed me! I have come to the brink of utter ruin, among the gathered assembly.”
Proverb 5:7-14 (World English Bible)
What the passage claims
First, sexual sin promises pleasure but delivers bitterness and death. The forbidden woman's honey becomes wormwood.
Second, find satisfaction within your own marriage. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
Third, the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord. Nothing is hidden from his sight.
Drink water out of your own cistern, running water out of your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, streams of water in the public squares? Let them be for yourself alone, not for strangers with you. Let your spring be blessed. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe and a graceful deer— let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love. For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another? For the ways of man are before Yahweh’s eyes. He examines all his paths. The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly. He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.
Proverb 5:15-23 (World English Bible)
Where readers disagree
The interpretation of the forbidden woman has been discussed. Some see her as a literal adulteress, while others understand her as a symbol of folly or apostasy.
The celebration of marital love in this chapter has been discussed in relation to the Song of Solomon and the biblical theology of marriage.
The warning that the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord has been discussed in relation to the doctrine of God's omniscience.
My son, pay attention to my wisdom. Turn your ear to my understanding, that you may maintain discretion, that your lips may preserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil, but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol. She gives no thought to the way of life. Her ways are crooked, and she doesn’t know it.
Proverb 5:1-6 (World English Bible)
How this passage connects to the gospel
The wisdom of Proverbs 5 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament presents Christ as the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). Everything that Proverbs celebrates about wisdom — its value, its role in creation, its practical guidance for life — is embodied in Christ.
In Jesus, believers see the perfect embodiment of the wisdom that Proverbs commends. He lived in perfect fear of the Lord, trusted the Father completely, and walked in the path of righteousness. The call to get wisdom is ultimately a call to know Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3).
For Christians, the practical instruction of Proverbs is not mere moralism but is empowered by the gospel. The same Spirit who inspired the proverbs works in believers to produce the character and conduct that wisdom describes. The fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom is the reverent love that the gospel produces in the hearts of God's people.
The warnings in this chapter against folly, temptation, and sin find their answer in the grace of God through Christ. Where the wisdom of Proverbs warns, the gospel provides both the warning and the remedy. Christ not only teaches wisdom but also forgives the foolish and gives the Spirit to enable wise living.
Now therefore, my sons, listen to me. Don’t depart from the words of my mouth. Remove your way far from her. Don’t come near the door of her house, lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel one; lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich another man’s house. You will groan at your latter end, when your flesh and your body are consumed, and say, “How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor turned my ear to those who instructed me! I have come to the brink of utter ruin, among the gathered assembly.”
Proverb 5:7-14 (World English Bible)
Biblical fidelity check
Proverbs 5 is theologically sound and consistent with the broader biblical witness. The book's emphasis on the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom is a foundational theme of Scripture. The practical instruction of Proverbs is grounded in the character of God and his moral order. The New Testament affirms and deepens the wisdom tradition, presenting Christ as the wisdom of God and calling believers to walk in wisdom.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main message of Proverbs 5?
The main message of Proverbs 5 is that drink water from your own cistern. The chapter teaches that the fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom and that wise living leads to blessing and life.
How does Proverbs 5 point to Christ?
Proverbs 5 points to Christ because the New Testament presents Jesus as the wisdom of God. Everything that Proverbs says about wisdom — its value, its role in creation, its practical guidance — is embodied in Christ. Jesus perfectly exemplified the wisdom that Proverbs commends.
How does Proverbs 5 apply to Christians today?
Proverbs 5 applies to believers today by providing practical instruction for daily life. The fear of the Lord remains the foundation of wisdom for Christians. The warnings against folly and temptation are as relevant today as when they were written. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to walk in the wisdom that Proverbs describes.
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