Proverbs 5:6 - Printer Friendly

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

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

NASB: She does not ponder the path of life; Her ways are unstable, she does not know it.

CSB: She doesn’t consider the path of life; she doesn’t know that her ways are unstable.

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

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

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

The symbolic seductress Solomon refers to is thoughtless and carefree. This could just as easily refer to a man who tempts others to betray their marriage. This seducer fails to think about the path of life and ignorantly pursues a path far from God. All she thinks about is how to find someone who will satisfy her lust. This follows a common pattern of Proverbs depicting those involved in sin as foolishly headed towards their own doom.

Sin blinds and exacts a heavy toll on those who cater to the flesh and have no regard for God. Hosea 4:11–12 indicts Israel as having turned away from God in favor of "whoredom [meaning idolatry], wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding." The adulterous person lacks biblical understanding. He or she fails to see how evil adultery is and the bitter consequences it brings. Commonly, an adulterer or adulteress will rationalize the sin by blaming another person or reasoning that it was simply a product of his or her human nature.

Undoubtedly, modern movies, the Internet, and television glorify sexual indulgence. In many cases, it is excused or even celebrated. People of understanding seek the wisdom to resist temptations of sinful lusts.

Proverbs 5:1–6 pleads with the son to heed his father Solomon's wise counsel in order to be discreet and to speak knowledgeably. He depicts the seductress—a person seeking to come between a married couple—as speaking sweetly but her words are full of deadly poison. She is headed for ruin, and she does not realize it. Of note is that Solomon does not describe the seducer physically, since temptation isn't limited to physical attraction. As with other warnings in this book, the reader is advised not to put themselves at risk of sharing in that same destruction.

Solomon approaches the subject of adultery by describing a prototype seducer: a smooth talker who leads the victim down a dangerous road. Sin promises pleasure, but it is ultimately brief and destructive consequences are long lasting. The destructive consequences include a loss of strength, respect, money, and longevity. The person who disregards godly counsel about adultery experiences ruin and disgrace. Faithfulness in marriage brings a person exuberance and joy. No sin, including adultery, is hidden from God. Sin ensnares the adulterer and shows that he is foolish, undisciplined, and far from the Lord.

This chapter continues the wise sayings Solomon addresses to his children and / or students. Solomon warns about the temptation to succumb to adultery. He points out the calamities of yielding to sexual sin, and of violating one's marriage. This warning is similar the one given in Proverbs 1:8–10. After cautioning about the risks of adultery, he cites the joys and advantages of monogamous marriage.

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.