Proverbs 2:16 kjv

To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

Proverbs 2:16 nkjv

To deliver you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words,

Proverbs 2:16 niv

Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words,

Proverbs 2:16 esv

So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words,

Proverbs 2:16 nlt

Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman,
from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman.

Proverbs 2 verses

Proverbs 2 16 Meaning

Proverbs 2:16 teaches that divine wisdom protects the righteous from the deceptive allure and destructive path of the immoral woman. This protection extends to preserving one's moral integrity and avoiding the pitfalls of sexual sin and spiritual straying. Wisdom, being rooted in the fear of the Lord, acts as a shield against persuasive words that lead to moral compromise and ultimately, ruin. The "immoral woman" symbolizes not only literal promiscuity but also any deviation from God's covenant and righteous living through false enticement.

Proverbs 2 16 Context

Proverbs 2 is a vivid invitation to pursue and value wisdom with diligence and zeal, promising that such pursuit leads to discernment and protection. The chapter highlights the benefits of embracing wisdom, beginning with understanding the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God (v. 1-5). It then asserts that the Lord Himself grants wisdom and knowledge (v. 6-8). Following this, the text describes how wisdom safeguards individuals from the path of wicked men (v. 12-15) and subsequently, from the destructive enticement of the "immoral woman" (v. 16-19). This verse serves as a specific warning within a larger discourse on the protective qualities of wisdom, detailing a major threat to a young man's moral and spiritual life in ancient Israel. Historically, "foreign woman" (often a term interchangeable with "immoral woman" or "adulteress") held connotations beyond mere nationality, signifying someone outside the covenant, whose practices might involve idolatry, cultic prostitution, or general ungodliness, thus posing a spiritual and social threat to Israel's covenant purity. This likely functioned as a polemic against foreign religious practices and their accompanying moral laxity.

Proverbs 2 16 Word analysis

• So: Implies consequence or purpose. It links this specific protection to the general benefits of wisdom previously outlined in the chapter. Wisdom acquired will lead to this deliverance.
• You will be delivered: Hebrew: natsal (נָצַל). This word signifies rescue, snatching away, or drawing out from danger. It implies a precarious situation from which one needs saving. The passive voice suggests God, or the wisdom He provides, is the agent of this rescue. It's not a self-initiated escape, but a divine intervention.
• From the immoral woman: Hebrew: ishah zarah (אִשָּׁה זָרָה). Ishah means "woman." Zarah means "strange," "foreign," or "alien." It's often used in Proverbs interchangeably with nokriyah (נָכְרִיָּה), which also means "foreign" or "outsider." This refers to a woman outside the covenant relationship, not just geographically foreign but also one who is morally alien to the community's righteous standards. This figure embodies deviation from moral and spiritual purity. The phrase highlights her spiritual or moral alien-ness, rather than just physical appearance. She is strange in her ways and character.
• From the foreign woman: This is a direct parallel to "immoral woman," reinforcing the identity. In ancient Israelite society, foreign women were often associated with foreign deities and customs, including cultic prostitution, which diverged from Yahwistic monotheism and strict moral codes. She represents a threat to spiritual purity and covenant faithfulness, going beyond mere sexual temptation to potentially encompass idolatry.
• Who with her words: Hebrew: amareha (אֲמָרֶיהָ). Refers to her sayings, utterances, or speech. The danger from the immoral woman lies primarily in her persuasive and deceptive language, rather than just her physical attractiveness. This emphasizes the power of words to corrupt and entice.
• Flatters: Hebrew: khalaq (חָלַק). This word literally means "smooth," "slippery." In this context, it describes speech that is smooth, suave, enticing, and deceptively alluring. It implies words crafted to deceive, charm, and manipulate rather than to convey truth. The goal of such flattery is often to ensnare, leading the hearer to compromise their principles for perceived pleasure or gain. It indicates speech designed to bypass reason and moral resolve, appealing directly to desires.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "So you will be delivered": This phrase establishes the immediate benefit of receiving and applying wisdom. The delivery is a direct outcome, suggesting salvation from a perilous situation. It speaks to wisdom's efficacy as a protective force, rescuing one from harm's way, a divine rescue, not merely self-control.
• "from the immoral woman, from the foreign woman": The doubling of descriptive terms for the same figure emphasizes her danger and identity. She is not merely unfamiliar but intrinsically alien to righteousness. This alien character suggests a danger not only to sexual purity but also to one's commitment to the covenant, as intermarriage or association with foreign cults often led to apostasy in Israel's history. This character represents the allure of anything that leads away from God's wisdom and instruction, spiritual and moral compromise.
• "who with her words flatters": This identifies the primary method of her temptation. Her danger is not overt aggression but subtle, verbal manipulation. "Flattery" means smooth, persuasive speech designed to mislead, overcome resistance, and entice. This highlights the insidious nature of temptation—it often comes in appealing packages, clothed in pleasant words rather than blatant wickedness, making it harder to discern without wisdom. It points to a battle fought in the mind and heart, swayed by compelling but deceptive communication.

Proverbs 2 16 Bonus section

The "foreign woman" (אִשָּׁה זָרָה, ishah zarah) or "immoral woman" can also be understood as personified folly. Just as wisdom is personified as a woman inviting young men to life, folly is personified as a seductive harlot leading to death (Pr 9:13-18). This parallelism reinforces that the temptation isn't solely about a specific individual, but also the abstract principle of foolishness that competes with wisdom for adherence. Her "flattering words" are the sweet lies of the world and sin, contrasting with the clear, direct truth of God's Word. The use of her "words" emphasizes that temptation often begins in the mind, through enticing thoughts, promises, or ideas that run contrary to godly wisdom, making internal vigilance crucial. The passage also highlights that God's deliverance (through wisdom) is active and preventative, not just reactive.

Proverbs 2 16 Commentary

Proverbs 2:16 acts as a critical warning, showing wisdom's practical power to protect from moral downfall. The "immoral woman" represents not just a literal seductress but also the broader forces of temptation, spiritual adultery, and anything that promises pleasure while leading away from God's truth. Her primary weapon is "flattering words"—deceptive, smooth speech that appeals to base desires, bypassing rational thought and moral principles. Wisdom, in contrast, sharpens discernment, enabling one to recognize these veiled dangers and resist their allure. This verse highlights the need for active vigilance and dependence on God-given insight to navigate a world full of subtle temptations, ensuring that one remains steadfast on the path of righteousness and truth, avoiding the spiritual and moral destruction associated with such influences. It teaches that the path of sin often begins with enticing words, not obvious evil.