Proverbs 7:25 kjv

Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.

Proverbs 7:25 nkjv

Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths;

Proverbs 7:25 niv

Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.

Proverbs 7:25 esv

Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths,

Proverbs 7:25 nlt

Don't let your hearts stray away toward her.
Don't wander down her wayward path.

Proverbs 7 verses

Proverbs 7 25 Meaning

Proverbs 7:25 serves as an urgent and direct warning against the deceptive allure of the seductive woman, who represents folly and sinful desire. It exhorts the reader, typically depicted as a young man, to vigilantly guard his inner being – his heart, thoughts, and affections – from turning towards her way. Furthermore, it commands that he must not stray or wander into her dangerous paths, which lead to destruction and spiritual ruin, emphasizing that deviation from the path of wisdom begins in the heart.

Proverbs 7 25 Context

Proverbs chapter 7 is a vivid and dramatic cautionary tale presented by a father figure (personifying Wisdom) to his son. It immediately follows the instruction to cherish and obey Wisdom (Proverbs 6:20-35) and vividly describes the cunning, deceitful, and destructive nature of the "immoral woman" or adulteress. The chapter serves as an extended warning against sexual immorality and the enticement of illicit pleasure, detailing the adulteress's persuasive words, seductive appearance, and the tragic end for those who succumb to her. Verse 25 is a critical exhortation to internal and external vigilance, appearing near the climax of this cautionary narrative, before the dire consequences are fully elaborated. It highlights that the battle against temptation is first waged and lost in the heart before manifesting in actions, echoing a central theme throughout the book of Proverbs: wisdom dictates life, folly leads to death. Historically, such warnings were vital in a society where young men might be easily swayed by urban temptations and cultic practices that involved sexual immorality, which stood in stark contrast to the pure and righteous demands of Yahweh.

Proverbs 7 25 Word analysis

• Let not: A strong negative imperative, urging preventative action.

• your heart: (Hebrew: lev לֵב) - Refers not merely to the emotional organ, but the core of a person's being: intellect, will, conscience, moral sensibility, affections, and decision-making center. The battle for righteousness begins here.

• turn aside: (Hebrew: tasōṭ תָּסֹט) - To deviate, to stray from a correct course, to bend or turn from the path. It implies a voluntary, albeit potentially subtle, shift of direction or allegiance. It suggests a movement towards something forbidden.

• to her ways: Refers to her lifestyle, principles, methods of seduction, and the immoral path she represents. It’s not just about her physical presence but her influence and values.

• nor wander: (Hebrew: tetathaʿ תֵּתַע) - To go astray, err, be deluded, staggering aimlessly, or led astray. This word signifies a more advanced stage than "turn aside"; it implies getting lost or entangled in deception, moving away from the proper and safe road.

• into her paths: (Hebrew: netiyvot נְתִיבוֹת) - Defined, trodden paths or ways. This emphasizes specific courses of action or life patterns that are established by her and her destructive lifestyle. It highlights the definite direction towards danger and ruin once one starts down her "paths."

• "Let not your heart turn aside to her ways": This phrase emphasizes internal guarding. It warns against allowing even a slight mental or emotional leaning toward immorality. The lev (heart) is where desire is conceived and where choices are ultimately made, making it the primary battleground against temptation. It suggests that allowing one's affection or thought process to be subtly influenced by the enticements of sin is the first fatal step.

• "Nor wander into her paths": This follows the first clause logically, indicating that internal desire invariably leads to external action. Wandering implies not merely an accidental misstep but a drifting away, often in a confused or lost state, directly into the destructive lifestyle represented by the immoral woman. It highlights the danger of gradual progression in sin, where an initial internal thought leads to becoming entrenched in the ways of unrighteousness.

Proverbs 7 25 Bonus section

The father's repeated exhortation throughout Proverbs regarding the importance of the 'heart' and 'paths' (e.g., Pro 4:23, 5:6) reveals a consistent biblical anthropology: humanity's deepest moral battles are fought internally, impacting every outward step. This verse encapsulates the psychological and spiritual progression of falling into sin: initial internal consideration, subtle turning away from righteous principles, and eventual entanglement in destructive lifestyles. The specific imagery of the "harlot's paths" highlights the highly visible and notorious nature of immoral behavior in ancient societies, serving as a clear warning beacon. This passage also contains an implicit polemic against pagan practices and cults which often incorporated sexual license as part of their worship or social fabric, directly contrasting them with the purity demanded by Yahwism.

Proverbs 7 25 Commentary

Proverbs 7:25 distills the essence of resisting temptation: it must be a preventative, internal battle before it becomes an external struggle. The "heart" is paramount because it is the seat of moral judgment, desire, and decision. Allowing one's thoughts and affections to entertain sinful proposals, even subtly "turning aside," initiates the destructive process. The subsequent warning against "wandering into her paths" underscores the inevitable trajectory from internal concession to outward sin and its devastating consequences. This verse is not merely a warning against sexual promiscuity but a timeless principle for guarding one's soul against any alluring sin, emphasizing the crucial need for vigilance over one's inner life. The wise understand that every downward spiral begins with a misdirected heart and a willingness to deviate from the narrow path of righteousness. It is a call for disciplined spiritual discernment and firm commitment to purity.