What does Proverbs 5:11 mean?

The specific sin Solomon warns about in this passage is adultery. In a general sense, the entire book of Proverbs cautions that following sin means risking dire consequences. Sexual immorality poses those risks to the body in a very direct way. As phrased here in this verse, yielding to adultery ruins one's health so that the flesh and body are emaciated at the end of one's life. In keeping with that same idea, later statements indicate the person who "commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself" (Proverbs 6:32). Proverbs 6:33 says the adulterer "will get wounds."

Earlier verses explained the damage to one's reputation and spirit that can come with adultery (Proverbs 5:9–10). This verse graphically presents the dangers which sexual sin poses to a person's physical health and well-being.

Spiritually, adultery destroys a person's relationship with the Lord. Psalm 66:18 states: "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." When he committed adultery with Bathsheba, King David suffered physically and spiritually. His bones ached, and he lost the joy of salvation. However, he confessed his sin, recognizing that it was primarily a sin against God. He wrote n Psalm 51:4, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight." He prayed, "Let the bones that you have broken rejoice" (Psalm 51:8), and "restore to me the joy of your salvation" (Psalm 51:12).