Pro 22:14 | KingComments | STEP | This is the first time that sexual sin is mentioned in this section of the book (Proverbs 10:1-22:16), whereas in the first section (Proverbs 1-9), it is mentioned frequently and emphatically. “An adulteress” is literally “strange woman” i.e. every woman outside one’s own wife. No one should allow in his heart thoughts of sexual intercourse with a strange woman ( ). Here we are specifically talking about a woman who is out to entice someone into adultery. It is striking that this sin always begins with the mouth, that is, with the seductive and enticing invitation to commit adultery ( ). Her mouth, the words she speaks and the way she speaks to seduce someone is described as “a deep pit” (cf. ). Falling into a deep pit is reminiscent of a senseless animal falling into a deep pit dug to catch it. One who lets himself be caught by the words of an adulteress is like a senseless animal (cf. ). Into this deep pit falls one “who is cursed of the LORD”. He who gives in to the temptation of a strange woman does so not because God has condemned him to do so, but because God’s anger is on him because of his sinful way. He has moved out of fellowship with God. He who lives in fellowship with God does not fall into that deep pit (cf. ). If someone falls into the deep pit of adultery, it is a result of living in sin. God’s anger does not bring him to a life in sin, but rests on him because of the life in sin. God gives such a person over to sin ( ; ). No one is destined to fall into sin. We fall into the deep pit because we choose to go down a path that is full of deep potholes. The mouth of the strange woman is one of them. She will not be able to draw those who stay away from her into the deep pit with her words. The pit is like the snare of a poacher – it is virtually impossible to free yourself from it once you are in it. Therefore, if someone succumbs to the seductive words of an adulterous woman, it is both a sin and his punishment.

‏ Proverbs 22:14

The Mouth Is a Deep Pit

This is the first time that sexual sin is mentioned in this section of the book (Proverbs 10:1-22:16), whereas in the first section (Proverbs 1-9), it is mentioned frequently and emphatically. “An adulteress” is literally “strange woman” i.e. every woman outside one’s own wife. No one should allow in his heart thoughts of sexual intercourse with a strange woman (Mt 5:28). Here we are specifically talking about a woman who is out to entice someone into adultery.

It is striking that this sin always begins with the mouth, that is, with the seductive and enticing invitation to commit adultery (Pro 2:16 ; Pro 5:3 ; Pro 6:24 ; Pro 7:5 ; Pro 9:16-17). Her mouth, the words she speaks and the way she speaks to seduce someone is described as “a deep pit” (cf. Psa 5:9). Falling into a deep pit is reminiscent of a senseless animal falling into a deep pit dug to catch it. One who lets himself be caught by the words of an adulteress is like a senseless animal (cf. Pro 7:22).

Into this deep pit falls one “who is cursed of the LORD”. He who gives in to the temptation of a strange woman does so not because God has condemned him to do so, but because God’s anger is on him because of his sinful way. He has moved out of fellowship with God. He who lives in fellowship with God does not fall into that deep pit (cf. Ecc 7:26).

If someone falls into the deep pit of adultery, it is a result of living in sin. God’s anger does not bring him to a life in sin, but rests on him because of the life in sin. God gives such a person over to sin (Rom 1:24; Psa 81:11-12). No one is destined to fall into sin. We fall into the deep pit because we choose to go down a path that is full of deep potholes. The mouth of the strange woman is one of them.

She will not be able to draw those who stay away from her into the deep pit with her words. The pit is like the snare of a poacher – it is virtually impossible to free yourself from it once you are in it. Therefore, if someone succumbs to the seductive words of an adulterous woman, it is both a sin and his punishment.