Proverbs 5:1-14
Summary for Prov 5:1-23: 5:1-23 a These instructions on embracing one’s wife and avoiding immoral women were originally addressed to young men just beginning their professional careers (see also 2:16-22 b; 7:1-27 c). This topic is also popular in ancient Egyptian wisdom writing.Summary for Prov 5:1-2: 5:1-2 d Paying attention to instruction results in discernment—the ability to tell a right action from a wrong one. These instructions are vitally important when dealing with an immoral woman.
Summary for Prov 5:3-4: 5:3-4 e The lips of the immoral woman seem sweet and enticing but are actually bitter and deadly. Sexual activity often begins with a kiss, and flattering words can entice.
Summary for Prov 5:5-6: 5:5-6 f A relationship with an immoral woman leads to death, as does a relationship with the woman named Folly (see 9:13-18 g).
Summary for Prov 5:9-10: 5:9-10 h An illicit relationship can be tempting, but it eventually brings shame. If the woman is a prostitute, the young man will have to pay her and thus lose income. If the woman is another man’s wife, he might have to pay her husband (see Lev 20:10 i).
5:11 j Some sexually transmitted diseases were well known in the ancient Near East. Leviticus 15:1-15 k describes what is probably gonorrhea; other texts from Mesopotamia describe “the disease of intercourse” and the “disease of Ishtar” (goddess of love) with the physical symptoms of venereal diseases.
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