Proverbs 23:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: She lies in wait like a robber and increases the traitors among mankind.

NIV: Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

NASB: Certainly she lurks as a robber, And increases the treacherous among mankind.

CSB: indeed, she sets an ambush like a robber and increases the number of unfaithful people.

NLT: She hides and waits like a robber, eager to make more men unfaithful.

KJV: She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.

NKJV: She also lies in wait as for a victim, And increases the unfaithful among men.

This concludes one of the book of Proverbs' many warnings about sexual sin (Proverbs 23:26–27). On numerous occasions, Solomon sounds an alarm about the dangers and consequences of lust (Proverbs 5:22; 6:27–35; 28:10). While the phrasing implies a woman who tempts a man, the principle applies to all people and situations. Here, the concept of sexual temptation as a trap is magnified. The tempting person is depicted waiting in ambush, springing out to attack.

The point is not that all sexual temptations come from deliberate predators. Some do, which is a good reason to be cautious, but Scripture has a broader idea in mind here. The emphasis is on the suddenness and deep peril those temptations present. Part of avoiding those traps is awareness: diligently looking for dangers and acting accordingly (Proverbs 4:23). Sexual temptation can be difficult enough to overcome, let alone when it catches someone completely off guard.

One of Jesus' famous parables was about a man who was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers pounced on him, stripped him of his clothes, and left him to die in the road (Luke 10:30). Sexual temptation, metaphorically, is like a robber, catching the unsuspecting and, when acted upon, inflicting wounds on their souls that can be healed only by the grace of God.

The reference to "increases the traitors" is from a Hebrew figure of speech not easy to translate. In a spiritual sense, those who are sexually immoral drag other people into their sin; they add to the number of people rebelling against God's goodness. The phrase might also be used to imply the frequency of sexual sin, implying that lust is responsible for many people's moral failures.

Proverbs 23:26–35 contains a portion of thirty wise sayings endorsed by Solomon (Proverbs 22:17–21). In verse 26, he again pleads for his words to be heard. The warnings given here are more extensive than most others in this book. The first sounds an alarm about sexual temptation, comparing it to a trap or an ambush. The second goes to great lengths discouraging drunkenness, because of its effects and the danger of addiction.

This portion of wise sayings (Proverbs 22:17–21) starts with the sixth of thirty mentioned in chapter 22. These include advice on presenting oneself well to a host, while not being unduly influenced by such hospitality. The passage also speaks on the right time to share wisdom, ethics, discipline, and the joys associated with godly children. Also included are warnings about relationships and those who lack self-control. The chapter ends with the Bible's most strident warning about the dangers of alcohol abuse; this is the eighteenth of the thirty promised teachings.

This chapter continues Solomon's collection of the sayings of wise men (Proverbs 22:17–21). These lessons continue through Proverbs 24:34. Here, Solomon addresses his "son," perhaps meaning a student, with warnings about money, gluttony, speaking in the company of a fool, dishonesty, withholding discipline from a child, keeping company with drunkards, and the abuse of alcohol. The description of alcohol's risks is the most extensive such caution given in Scripture.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.