Proverbs 5:6 kjv

Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

Proverbs 5:6 nkjv

Lest you ponder her path of life? Her ways are unstable; You do not know them.

Proverbs 5:6 niv

She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.

Proverbs 5:6 esv

she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it.

Proverbs 5:6 nlt

For she cares nothing about the path to life.
She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn't realize it.

Proverbs 5 verses

Proverbs 5 6 Meaning

Proverbs 5:6 warns against the insidious and destructive nature of the immoral woman. The verse states that she does not give careful consideration to the true "path of life," the way of righteousness and truth prescribed by divine wisdom. Consequently, her own paths are inherently unstable, wavering, and unpredictable. This makes it impossible for those who follow or interact with her to truly comprehend or anticipate her treacherous ways, leading them deeper into deceit and eventual ruin. It highlights her profound lack of discernment for what truly leads to life, making her entire existence a chaotic journey of self-destruction that ensnares others.

Proverbs 5 6 Context

Proverbs Chapter 5 is a direct warning from a father to his son (or a teacher to a disciple) about the perils of sexual immorality, specifically personified by the "strange woman" or "harlot." This chapter serves as a crucial segment within the broader wisdom teachings of Proverbs, which emphasize living a life aligned with God's wisdom rather than succumbing to the temptations of folly. The surrounding verses (Prov 5:1-5) establish the deceptive nature of the immoral woman's words and her seductive lips, immediately linking them to bitterness and the sharp sword of judgment. Verse 7 continues the plea for attention and obedience to the instruction.

Historically and culturally, wisdom literature like Proverbs was essential for instructing the young on moral and practical living in ancient Israel. The "strange woman" or "foreign woman" (often a harlot or an adulteress) represented not just a person but also the embodiment of behaviors contrary to the covenantal relationship with God. Her promiscuous acts and deviations from the established social and religious order were seen as direct threats to individual integrity, family structure, and the community's spiritual purity. The polemic is clear: true life and prosperity come from faithfulness to the Creator's ways, while infidelity and sexual sin lead to personal degradation, financial ruin, and eternal destruction, in stark contrast to practices in some surrounding pagan cultures where sexual acts were part of religious rituals.

Proverbs 5 6 Word analysis

• "Lest thou shouldst ponder" (KJV): פֶּן־תְּפַלֵּ֗ס (pen-tə·p̄al·lēs). The root פלס (palas) means to weigh, balance, make level or straight, or to ponder/consider.
  • Interpretation 1 (KJV): The KJV rendering implies a warning to the listener to prevent them from becoming complacent or from misinterpreting the immoral woman's ways as genuine. If one doesn't carefully ponder or consider her path, they are in danger.
  • Interpretation 2 (More common modern understanding): Many scholars and modern translations interpret this as she herself "does not ponder" or "gives no thought to" (e.g., NIV, ESV) the path of life. This means her choices are reckless, made without careful consideration of what is truly righteous or life-giving. This lack of introspection on her part leads to her volatile and unstable behavior. Both interpretations ultimately underscore the dangerous nature of her unexamined, unrighteous path.
• "the path of life": אֹ֖רַח חַיִּ֥ים (o·raḥ ḥay·yîm). This is a foundational concept in wisdom literature, signifying the righteous, godly way of living that leads to well-being, blessing, and eternal spiritual flourishing. It contrasts sharply with "the way of death" or "the paths of darkness" that lead to ruin.
• "her ways are moveable": נָע֣וּ (nā·‘ū), from the root נוע (nua), meaning "to waver, to shake, to wander, to stagger." "Her ways" refers to her steps, her conduct, her path.
  • This phrase emphasizes the inherent instability, unpredictability, and unreliability of her conduct. There is no consistent moral principle guiding her actions. Her path shifts, staggers, and does not hold true to any righteous direction, reflecting her inner chaos and moral corruption.
• "that thou canst not know them": לֹ֣א תֵדָֽע (lō’ ṯê·ḏā‘). "You will not know/discern them."
  • This highlights the impossibility of understanding or anticipating her trajectory because it lacks consistency, truth, or a moral compass. Her deceptions are fluid and her ultimate end is concealed by her allure, preventing a clear view of the disaster she leads others to.

Proverbs 5 6 Bonus section

The "path of life" mentioned here is not merely about physical longevity but about a holistic state of being marked by divine favor, spiritual health, and a deep connection to wisdom and righteousness. It is the biblical concept of "shalom" or peace and wholeness. The imagery of a "moveable" or "staggering" path contrasts sharply with the steadfastness and unwavering nature often attributed to God's path and commands (Ps 119:105, Heb 12:13). The warning in this verse goes beyond just the immediate physical dangers of sexual sin to encompass the spiritual disorientation and loss of clarity that result from embracing unrighteousness. One who travels such a path loses the ability to discern truth from falsehood, blurring the lines of right and wrong, and consequently losing sight of their ultimate destination.

Proverbs 5 6 Commentary

Proverbs 5:6 provides a profound insight into the destructive nature of folly personified by the immoral woman. Regardless of whether she fails to ponder the path of life or the listener is warned to ponder her deceptive path, the core message is clear: the way of immorality is antithetical to true life. Her steps are described as "moveable" or "staggering," portraying a chaotic and unreliable trajectory. This instability stems from a fundamental absence of righteousness and divine wisdom. As her paths lack fixed moral principles, they are inherently deceptive and cannot be truly known or predicted by anyone seeking discernment. Her allure masks a destination of ruin, ensuring that those ensnared will never find stability or life on her path. The warning is therefore not just against a particular sin but against a life path characterized by moral drift and spiritual blindness that inevitably leads to destruction. Practically, this implies avoiding even the fringes of immoral influence, as its deceptive and unstable nature makes clear understanding and escape increasingly difficult once entangled.