Proverbs 5:3 kjv

For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:

Proverbs 5:3 nkjv

For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil;

Proverbs 5:3 niv

For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;

Proverbs 5:3 esv

For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil,

Proverbs 5:3 nlt

For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey,
and her mouth is smoother than oil.

Proverbs 5 verses

Proverbs 5 3 Meaning

Proverbs 5:3 describes the initial alluring nature of a "forbidden woman" (often interpreted as an adulteress or sexually immoral woman). Her words are presented as excessively sweet and appealing, like honey dripping from the comb, and deceptively smooth, like oil, designed to entice and disarm her target. This verse highlights the seductive deception inherent in temptation that initially promises pleasure while concealing later destruction.

Proverbs 5 3 Context

Proverbs chapter 5 is part of a father's urgent counsel to his son, emphasizing the importance of heeding wisdom and avoiding sexual immorality, personified by the "forbidden woman." This particular chapter highlights the devastating consequences of yielding to her allure, contrasting the immediate, fleeting pleasure with long-term regret, physical decay, social disgrace, and spiritual ruin. Verse 3 immediately follows an exhortation to pay attention to wisdom's teaching (v. 1-2), serving as the foundational explanation for why the son must be vigilant: the danger is not overtly threatening but insidiously attractive. It sets the stage for the graphic depiction of consequences in the subsequent verses (Prov 5:4-14). Historically and culturally, such advice reinforced the importance of fidelity within marriage, which was a cornerstone of Israelite society and covenant life, protecting the family, inheritance, and moral purity. The "forbidden woman" also served as a metaphor for spiritual idolatry or departing from God's commands, common themes of infidelity in the Old Testament.

Proverbs 5 3 Word analysis

• For: This introductory word establishes a causal link, explaining why the earlier advice (to heed wisdom) is necessary. It signifies that the danger of the "forbidden woman" is the immediate threat.
• lips: Hebrew: שְׂפָתֶיהָ (s'fateha). More than just a physical feature, "lips" in biblical idiom often represent one's speech, words, and communication (e.g., Prov 10:21; Isa 6:5). Here, it specifically denotes her vocal expressions and promises, which are the primary tools of her seduction.
• forbidden woman: Hebrew: אִשָּׁה זָרָה (ishshah zarah). This is a crucial term. While literally meaning "strange woman" or "foreign woman," in the context of Proverbs, it signifies someone outside the legitimate and righteous boundaries. This includes:
  • An Adulteress: A married woman who engages in sexual activity outside her marriage.
  • A Prostitute/Harlot: One who engages in sexual activity for payment.
  • A Moral Alien: Someone who lives outside the covenant standards of God's people, often associated with idol worship and practices that undermine Israelite faith and community integrity. Her "foreignness" extends to her moral principles, which are alien to wisdom's path. She personifies the allure of sin and folly.
• drip: Hebrew: נֹטֶפֶת (note phet). This implies a continuous, enticing flow. It's a steady, soft allure rather than a harsh or abrupt demand, making it harder to resist.
• honey: Hebrew: דֶבֶשׁ (devash). In the Bible, honey is consistently a symbol of sweetness, pleasantness, and desirability (e.g., Ps 19:10; Song 4:11). Here, it refers to her words and flattery. The image of honey dripping emphasizes immediate gratification and tempting taste. However, like honey, too much can lead to sickness or aversion (Prov 25:16), foreshadowing the eventual bitterness.
• and her speech: Hebrew: וְחֶלְקַת (v'khelqat) and פִיהָ (piha). The original phrase is "and her palate," or "and the smoothness of her mouth/palate." This phrase indicates not just what she says but how she says it – her smooth delivery.
• smoother than oil: Hebrew: מִשֶּׁמֶן חָלָק (mishshemen khalaq). "Oil" was often used in the ancient world for anointing, healing, lubrication, and cosmetics, signifying smoothness and a luxurious texture. "Smoother than oil" speaks to her words being slick, persuasive, unresisting, and easily "swallowed" or accepted. They slip past defenses effortlessly, concealing any friction or resistance they might otherwise provoke if their true intent were known. The words glide into the ear and mind without encountering the normal resistance to harmful suggestions.

Proverbs 5 3 Bonus section

• The "honey and oil" metaphor creates a vivid sensory experience for the listener, emphasizing both the taste (honey) and the texture (oil) of the deceptive words, making the warning more impactful.
• The wisdom teacher uses these pleasant images not to commend the woman but to highlight the deceptive nature of the trap. The sweetness and smoothness are the bait, not the essence, of her true character and effect.
• This verse contrasts sharply with the wisdom found in God's law and wise counsel, which may sometimes be difficult or require effort to accept, but ultimately leads to life and blessing (Prov 3:1-2, Ps 119:103). The "forbidden woman's" smooth words are the antithesis of the challenging, but ultimately beneficial, path of righteousness.
• The theme of the "strange woman" in Proverbs also often points to the danger of syncretism and idolatry. Just as the forbidden woman draws a man away from his covenantal wife, so does spiritual apostasy draw individuals away from their covenantal relationship with God. Her alluring words parallel the tempting philosophies and false doctrines that promise fulfillment outside of God's truth.

Proverbs 5 3 Commentary

Proverbs 5:3 serves as a profound warning about the subtle yet potent nature of temptation, particularly in the realm of sexual immorality. The "forbidden woman" does not openly declare her destructive intentions; instead, her methods are insidious. Her lips, which deliver her persuasive words, are likened to dripping honey—immediately sweet, attractive, and satisfying to the taste. This vividly illustrates the initial appeal of sin: it promises delight and gratification. Furthermore, her speech is "smoother than oil," indicating that her words are slick, manipulative, and easy to accept. There is no roughness, no hint of friction or opposition in her presentation; her words bypass reason and bypass caution, gliding directly to the listener's desires. This verse powerfully conveys that sin often disguises itself in pleasantness, alluring words, and deceptive ease, drawing the unwary into its embrace before revealing its bitter and ruinous consequences, which are described in the verses that follow (Prov 5:4-14). It underscores the necessity of wisdom to discern beyond superficial appeal and recognize the true nature of seductive folly.