Proverbs 7:5 kjv

That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.

Proverbs 7:5 nkjv

That they may keep you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words.

Proverbs 7:5 niv

They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

Proverbs 7:5 esv

to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words.

Proverbs 7:5 nlt

Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman,
from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman.

Proverbs 7 verses

Proverbs 7 5 Meaning

Proverbs 7:5 functions as a core statement explaining one primary purpose of the wisdom, understanding, and precepts exhorted in the preceding verses. It asserts that diligently receiving and clinging to this divine instruction will guard the hearer from the perilous allure of an immoral, adulterous woman. She is characterized by her deceptive, persuasive speech, which, though appearing pleasant, conceals a path of destruction. Wisdom acts as a spiritual and moral shield, protecting against such cunning temptations that threaten one's life, purity, and spiritual well-being.

Proverbs 7 5 Context

Proverbs chapter 7 is a vivid and extended warning from a father to his son against the perils of the adulterous woman, personifying Folly itself. This specific verse (7:5) follows the father's fervent plea for his son to "keep his words" and "lay up his commandments" (7:1), to bind them on his fingers and write them on the tablet of his heart (7:3), and to call wisdom his sister and understanding his kinswoman (7:4). Verse 5 clarifies the immediate, practical benefit of this deep internalization of wisdom: protection from a specific and potent danger. The chapter then continues with a detailed narrative (7:6-23) of a naive young man being ensnared by such a woman, illustrating precisely how the danger manifests and what its deadly consequences are. The historical and cultural context of ancient Israel valued marital fidelity highly as part of the covenant community, and sexual purity was essential for a stable society and relationship with God. The "strange woman" (and her synonym "foreigner") often implied not just one from another land but one who operates outside of Israel's moral and religious laws, a seductress or prostitute whose behavior was an anathema to covenant principles. This also subtly carries a polemic against the sexual practices and cult prostitution often found in surrounding pagan cultures, drawing a contrast to the righteous path of Yahweh.

Proverbs 7 5 Word analysis

• That they may keep thee: This phrase links back to "my words" (7:1), "my commandments" (7:1), and wisdom/understanding (7:4).

  • Keep: Hebrew: לִשְׁמָרְךָ (li-shmorkha). The root שמר (shamar) means "to guard," "to watch," "to preserve," "to observe." It conveys an active, protective vigilance. This implies that wisdom, when embraced and applied, becomes an active guardian of the individual's moral integrity and well-being. It is not passive knowledge but a dynamic shield.

• from the strange woman:

  • Strange: Hebrew: זָרָה (zarah). This term derives from the root זור (zur), meaning "to turn aside," "to be a stranger," "to be alienated." In this context, it refers not necessarily to a foreign nationality (though often culturally distinct behavior) but primarily to one who is an outsider to the moral and social order. She is outside the covenant bond of marriage, often an adulteress or prostitute. Her "strangeness" highlights her deviation from the accepted, pure conduct for an Israelite woman, representing a dangerous anomaly within the community's ethical framework. In broader biblical wisdom literature, the "strange woman" often embodies the very antithesis of true wisdom – Folly personified – leading one away from the path of life. It implies alienation from God's ordained order.
  • Woman: Hebrew: אִשָּׁה (ishshah). Standard word for "woman" or "wife." The descriptor zarah defines her harmful nature.

• from the stranger: This is synonymous parallelism, common in Hebrew poetry, emphasizing the nature of the "strange woman."

  • Stranger: Hebrew: מִנָּכְרִיָּה (mi-nokhariyyah). This term comes from the root נכר (nakar), meaning "to recognize," "to become estranged," "to act as a stranger." Like zarah, it signifies someone alien or foreign, particularly in terms of social and moral ties, one not bound by the loyalties of family or community within Israel's covenant. It intensifies the warning, portraying her as an external, untrustworthy, and dangerous influence. She lacks intrinsic connection to the moral framework protecting the young man.

• which flattereth with her words: This describes her primary method of seduction.

  • Flattereth: Hebrew: חֲלָקָהּ (khalaqah) from חָלַק (chalaq), meaning "to be smooth," "to be slippery," "to divide." When applied to speech, it signifies smooth, slick, enticing, and deceptive words. Her words are crafted to appeal to desire and curiosity, to lull suspicions, and to appear harmless or benevolent.
  • Her words: Her means of seduction are primarily verbal. It is the honeyed, artful persuasion that traps. These "smooth words" stand in stark contrast to the straightforward, unvarnished truth of wisdom.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • That they may keep thee from the strange woman: This highlights wisdom's preventative power. Wisdom doesn't just inform but actively safeguards. It anticipates the danger and creates a defense, like a protective wall or shield, guiding the individual away from the precipice. The phrase "strange woman" specifies the immediate, most pressing threat in this chapter, underscoring that practical wisdom addresses real-world moral hazards.
  • from the stranger which flattereth with her words: This segment reveals both the identity (a moral "stranger") and the method (seductive speech) of the threat. The repetition using "stranger" (nokhariyyah) deepens the sense of alienation and untrustworthiness associated with her, while "flattereth with her words" pinpoint her cunning strategy: verbal manipulation. Her words are not mere communication but a tool of enticement and deception, designed to circumvent good judgment and lure the unwary. This emphasizes the deceptive power of words and the need for discernment.

Proverbs 7 5 Bonus section

The "strange woman" of Proverbs 7 can be seen as more than just a literal harlot. She serves as a powerful allegory for Folly itself, tempting individuals away from the path of wisdom and God. Her characteristics—being loud, unrestrained, not content at home, lying in wait for the unwary, and particularly her use of "smooth words"—are traits of sin and rebellion against divine order. In a broader theological sense, turning away from God's covenant and statutes (wisdom) to pursue idolatry or worldly enticements could also be symbolized as going after the "strange woman." The contrast throughout Proverbs is always between wisdom and folly, life and death, and purity versus defilement. Therefore, this verse holds relevance for guarding against any temptation that flatters with an immediate pleasure while concealing long-term spiritual damage or separation from God. The call to internalize wisdom in verse 3 and 4 indicates that a strong, inner moral compass is the most effective defense.

Proverbs 7 5 Commentary

Proverbs 7:5 serves as a direct answer to why a young man should embrace wisdom and its precepts. The purpose is highly practical: to create a defense against the seductive and destructive influence of the immoral woman. This figure, often an adulteress or prostitute, is presented as an antithesis to the virtues of a faithful wife and the stability of a righteous household. She is dangerous not only because of her actions but precisely because of her cunning and persuasive words. Her flattery, though seemingly benign or attractive, hides a path that leads to spiritual, moral, and often physical ruin, metaphorically described as the "depths of Sheol" (7:27). Therefore, true wisdom acts as a vital discernment mechanism, enabling the hearer to see beyond the alluring surface of her promises to the inherent danger beneath, thus providing the moral strength to resist and evade her traps.

Examples for practical usage:

• Applying wisdom: Before making a commitment or trusting an individual who seems overly charming, evaluate their character and motives against biblical principles.
• Recognizing deception: Discerning between genuinely loving and sincere communication versus smooth talk that seeks personal gain or to lead one astray from righteous conduct.
• Prioritizing biblical counsel: Choosing to listen to and follow God's commands and wisdom (often delivered through faithful mentors or scripture) over tempting offers that promise immediate gratification but violate ethical boundaries.