Bibelkommentare

Tenth Address. Chap. 5. Proverbs 5:1-23

The subject of this chapter, of which the seventh commandment might be the title, is one throughout. Against the unholy passion to be shunned (Proverbs 5:1-14) is set the holy love to be cherished (Proverbs 5:15-23).

1. bow] Rather, incline, R.V., because the same Heb. word is so rendered Proverbs 4:20.

2. regard] Rather, preserve, R.V. Comp. keep in the parallel clause of the verse.

3. strange woman] See Proverbs 2:16, note.

4. wormwood] The reference is perhaps not merely to the bitterness, but to the noxiousness of this herb. See Deuteronomy 29:18, and Revelation 8:10-11, where “many men died of the waters” into which the star named “wormwood” had fallen.

5. hell] Sheol, R.V. “which signifies the abode of departed spirits, and corresponds to the Greek Hades” (εἰς τὸν ᾅδην, LXX., ad inferos, Vulg. here). See R.V. Preface.

6. Lest thou shouldest ponder] The rendering of A.V. or of R.V. marg. (Lest thou find the level path, or, Lest thou weigh carefully the path) is to be preferred to R.V. text which connects the words with the preceding verse and makes them refer to the strange woman: so that she findeth not the level path of life. Having described in Proverbs 5:5 the end to which her ways lead, the wise Teacher in this verse unveils the artful versatility with which she allures her victims from the plain path of life, and keeps them from the reflection which might lead them to return to it.

thou canst not know them] So R.V. marg., but R.V. text, making the strange woman still the subject, she knoweth it not, Comp. Psalm 35:8, where the same Heb. expression is rendered “at unawares.” See for the sentiment ch. Proverbs 7:22-23.

7. ye children] Rather, my sons, R.V., as the same Heb. word is rendered throughout these exhortations.

9. others] instead of to thine own, Proverbs 5:15; Proverbs 5:17. Comp. Proverbs 5:10.

the cruel] The Heb. noun is masc. sing. and is intended perhaps vividly to describe the sin with its cruel consequences (Proverbs 6:26; Proverbs 6:31-35; Proverbs 7:22-23; Proverbs 7:26) as a merciless personal Avenger. LXX. ἀνελεήμοσιν, taking the Heb. word apparently as a collective noun.