Proverbs 5:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding,

NIV: My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight,

NASB: My son, pay attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my understanding,

CSB: My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen closely to my understanding

NLT: My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.

KJV: My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:

NKJV: My son, pay attention to my wisdom; Lend your ear to my understanding,

As at the beginning of chapter 4, Solomon urges his son to pay close attention to his words. He describes his teaching as having wisdom and understanding. A parent is responsible for the instruction of his children. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 issues the Lord's command, "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

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.

Accessed 4/27/2024 2:07:08 AM