Pro 5 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Prov 5:1-23: 5:1-23 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 ; 7:1-27 ). This topic is also popular in ancient Egyptian wisdom writing. Summary for Prov 5:1-2: 5:1-2 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 5:1-23: 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.
Summary for Prov 5:15-18: 5:15-18 ^l To drink from one’s own well (see also Song 4:12 ^m, 15 ⁿ) is to enjoy sexual relations within marriage. Rather than expend sexual energy on immoral women, a man should cultivate a healthy sexual relationship with his wife. Sex is not to be shared with strangers. This honors marriage (Gen 2:22-25 ^o) and keeps the seventh commandment (Exod 20:14 ^p and Deut 5:18 ^q).
5:19 ^r deer: cp. Song 4:5 ^s.
Summary for Prov 5:21-23: 5:21-23 ^t Even if a man keeps an illicit relationship secret from his family and society, nothing is hidden from the Lord. Adultery is a sin against God (Gen 39:8-9 ^u).
5:22 ^v Habitual sins are like ropes that catch and hold people.
5:23 ^w He will die: Young men must exercise self-control because death can result from acting on sexual desire for what is forbidden.