Proverbs 2:17 kjv

Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

Proverbs 2:17 nkjv

Who forsakes the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God.

Proverbs 2:17 niv

who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.

Proverbs 2:17 esv

who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God;

Proverbs 2:17 nlt

She has abandoned her husband
and ignores the covenant she made before God.

Proverbs 2 verses

Proverbs 2 17 Meaning

Proverbs 2:17 describes a destructive woman, identified as the "forbidden woman" from the preceding verse, through two defining characteristics: her profound disloyalty and spiritual apostasy. She "forsakes the companion of her youth," implying a betrayal of her lawful, long-standing marital or foundational relationship established early in life. Further, she "forgets the covenant of her God," highlighting that her infidelity is not merely a social failing but a direct spiritual violation and abandonment of her sacred commitments to God. This dual betrayal makes her a highly dangerous figure, as she operates without divine boundaries and draws others into her path of moral and spiritual ruin.

Proverbs 2 17 Context

Proverbs chapter 2 opens with an earnest fatherly plea for his son to diligently seek and value wisdom, understanding, and discernment. It emphasizes that embracing wisdom is paramount for a righteous life. Verses 1-4 describe the prerequisites for obtaining wisdom, and verses 5-9 outline the divine promise that accompanies its pursuit: God Himself grants wisdom and protection. Beginning in verse 10, the chapter elaborates on what wisdom will deliver the son from: first, the wicked man who speaks perverse things (v. 10-15), and then, the "foreign woman" or adulteress (v. 16-19). Proverbs 2:17 specifically characterizes this dangerous woman, explaining why she is such a profound threat—her intrinsic disloyalty and spiritual betrayal are the roots of her destructive nature, leading her victims down a path away from life and into darkness.

Historically, in ancient Israel, marriage was a divinely sanctioned covenant, not merely a social contract. Adultery was a grave offense, carrying severe legal and social penalties because it was understood as a violation of God's covenant principles. The "foreign woman" could literally refer to a woman from a pagan culture whose values were alien to God's law, or metaphorically to any woman whose behavior and morals were "foreign" or "alien" to the standards of Israelite faithfulness. Her danger lay not just in tempting a man to physical infidelity, but in leading him astray from the covenant relationship with God and the path of wisdom.

Proverbs 2 17 Word analysis

• who forsakes: From the Hebrew ʿăzābâ (עֲזָבָה), derived from the root ʿazab, meaning to leave, abandon, or cast off. This is a deliberate, active act of renunciation. It implies a conscious severing of a binding connection, highlighting treachery and the willful breach of a profound trust.
• the companion: From the Hebrew ʾallûphah (אַלּוּפָה). This term refers to an "intimate friend," "close acquaintance," or specifically a "mate/partner from early life." In the context of a woman, it is widely understood to mean her lawful husband, especially one from her youth. The choice of word emphasizes the deep, established, and intimate bond that has been violated.
• of her youth: From the Hebrew něʿûrêhā (נְעוּרֶיהָ), literally "her young ones" or "her early life." This intensifies the meaning of "companion" by suggesting a relationship formed and nurtured over many years, perhaps since childhood or early adulthood. The betrayal is thus not of a recent acquaintance but of a foundational and enduring commitment, adding to the severity of the act.
• and forgets: From the Hebrew wĕšākēḥâ (וְשָׁכֵחַת), derived from the root šakaḥ, meaning to forget, neglect, or become oblivious to. This is not mere forgetfulness due to poor memory but a willful disregard or active rejection of what should be remembered and honored. It signifies spiritual amnesia—a deliberate turning away from fundamental truths and obligations.
• the covenant: From the Hebrew bĕrît (בְּרִית), a highly significant biblical term denoting a solemn, binding agreement, pact, or treaty. Crucially, in biblical theology, covenants are often initiated by God or made with Him as a witness, carrying divine obligations and spiritual ramifications. In this verse, it primarily refers to the marriage covenant, which was considered sacred and under God's authority (Mal 2:14). It could also extend to her broader covenant with God's moral law (e.g., the Mosaic Covenant), emphasizing her comprehensive spiritual disregard.
• of her God: From the Hebrew ʾĕlōhêhā (אֱלֹהֶיהָ), meaning "her God." The possessive suffix indicates a personal relationship and accountability. This phrase elevates her transgression beyond mere social offense to an explicit act of betrayal against God Himself. Her actions are rooted in a personal estrangement from the divine relationship she once had or was expected to maintain.

Words-group Analysis:

• "who forsakes the companion of her youth": This phrase directly identifies the woman by her act of profound disloyalty within a deeply personal and established relationship, most likely her marriage. It highlights her breaking of solemn vows and her betrayal of trust. The "companion of her youth" signifies the long-term, foundational nature of the bond she is discarding, underscoring her moral decay.
• "and forgets the covenant of her God": This crucial phrase reveals the spiritual root of her destructive behavior. Her unfaithfulness to her human companion stems from a deeper spiritual failure—a deliberate abandonment or neglect of her relationship and obligations to God. It shows that her actions are not just socially immoral but are rooted in a complete disregard for divine standards and sacred vows. This spiritual apostasy makes her dangerous because she lacks an internal compass guided by God's truth.

Proverbs 2 17 Bonus section

The "foreign woman" or "forbidden woman" (ishah zarah or nokriyah) in Proverbs can be understood on multiple levels. While she literally refers to an adulteress who threatens marital fidelity, she also serves as a potent metaphor for any path of life or "wisdom" that is alien to God's revealed truth. Her "forgetting the covenant of her God" positions her as the embodiment of apostasy and disobedience. Therefore, the warning against her extends beyond sexual sin to encompass all forms of idolatry—any choice to place worldly allure, self-gratification, or "alien" philosophies above a steadfast, loyal devotion to the true God and His established ways. She represents the complete antithesis of God's wisdom, embodying chaos, spiritual brokenness, and leading others astray from the path of life. The proverb implicitly contrasts her character with personified Wisdom (e.g., Prov 8) and the virtuous wife (e.g., Prov 31:10-31), highlighting that true beauty and safety lie in loyalty, integrity, and a covenant relationship with God.

Proverbs 2 17 Commentary

Proverbs 2:17 profoundly unpacks the character of the "foreign woman" from the perspective of wisdom, revealing her as a person fundamentally defined by unfaithfulness and spiritual compromise. She is not merely alluring; she is deeply flawed. Her decision to "forsake the companion of her youth" speaks volumes about her disregard for fidelity, loyalty, and the sacredness of enduring bonds, likely referencing her abandonment of her lawful husband. This act is not an isolated failing, but a symptom of a deeper malady: she "forgets the covenant of her God." This spiritual amnesia implies a deliberate turning away from divine truth, a conscious disregard for the moral framework God has established for life and relationships. Her unfaithfulness in marriage is directly linked to her unfaithfulness to God Himself. She operates outside divine boundaries, embodying a path of moral and spiritual rebellion. Thus, her danger is not solely about tempting a man to physical infidelity, but about luring him onto a path of broken covenants, leading to moral decay and spiritual death (Proverbs 2:18-19). She serves as a stark warning against anyone, male or female, who chooses to live outside God's covenant and established order.