Proverbs 5:3
For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The imagery here isn't just about sweetness, but a specific kind of irresistible, oozing sweetness, like honey freshly dripping from a comb. This hints at a temptation that doesn't just taste good, but actively pulls you in with its abundance and ease. Her words aren't merely pleasant; they slide effortlessly into your mind, like oil smoothing over a surface, making resistance feel impossible.
The book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom, often presented as a fatherly instruction to his son. In this section, the father warns his son specifically about the seductive dangers of adultery and forbidden relationships, contrasting the sweet allure of temptation with its ultimately destructive consequences. This verse describes the deceptive charm of a promiscuous woman whose words are designed to lure the unwary into her harmful path.
Have you ever been drawn in by words that sound incredibly good, even too good to be true? This verse unpacks that exact feeling.
The temptation described here isn't crude or ugly; it's sophisticated and appealing. The 'forbidden woman' uses language that's deliberately crafted to disarm and attract.
Sweet beginnings can lead to the most painful endings. This verse hints at a destructive destination hidden beneath the surface.
While the words themselves are captivating, the proverb doesn't stop there. It carries a warning about the ultimate outcome of succumbing to this kind of temptation. The immediate pleasure is a dangerous illusion, masking a devastating reality.
Understand the original words
zarah · Hebrew Adjective
Refers to the 'strange' or 'foreign' woman, biblically signifying one who is outside the covenant community or is acting in opposition to God's law, specifically regarding sexual immorality and adultery.
This passage describes someone whose words are as smooth as butter, even though their heart is set on war, mirroring the deceptive sweetness of the 'forbidden woman' in Proverbs.
Proverbs 2:16This verse directly introduces the 'forbidden woman' as someone who seduces with her words, setting the stage for the detailed description of her allure in Proverbs 5.
Romans 16:17-18Paul warns believers about those who cause divisions and create stumbling blocks through smooth talk and flattery, echoing the seductive danger described in Proverbs.
Matthew 7:15Jesus cautions against false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are inwardly ravenous wolves, a parallel to the pleasant exterior of the forbidden woman hiding a destructive intent.
bensonProverbs 5:3: "For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:"
Proverbs 5:3-6 . For the lips of a strange woman, &c. — It concerns thee to get and to use discretion, that thou mayest be able to resist those manifold temptations to which thou art exposed; drop as a honeycomb — Her words and discourses are sweet, pleasing, and prevalent. But her end is bitter as wormwood — Her design, and the effect of that lewdness to which she entices men, are the sinn…
clarkeProverbs 5:3: "For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:"
The lips of a strange woman - One that is not thy own, whether Jewess or heathen. Drop as a honey-comb - She uses the most deceitful, flattering, and alluring speeches: as the droppings of the honey out of the comb are the sweetest of all.
The imagery here isn't just about sweetness, but a specific kind of irresistible, oozing sweetness, like honey freshly dripping from a comb. This hints at a temptation that doesn't just taste good, but actively pulls you in with its abundance and ease. Her words aren't merely pleasant; they slide effortlessly into your mind, like oil smoothing over a surface, making resistance feel impossible.
The book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom, often presented as a fatherly instruction to his son. In this section, the father warns his son specifically about the seductive dangers of adultery and forbidden relationships, contrasting the sweet allure of temptation with its ultimately destructive consequences. This verse describes the deceptive charm of a promiscuous woman whose words are designed to lure the unwary into her harmful path.
The book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom, often presented as a fatherly instruction to his son. In this section, the father warns his son specifically about the seductive dangers of adultery and forbidden relationships, contrasting the sweet allure of temptation with its ultimately destructive consequences. This verse describes the deceptive charm of a promiscuous woman whose words are designed to lure the unwary into her harmful path.
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"For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil," — The imagery here isn't just about sweetness, but a specific kind of irresistible, oozing sweetness, like honey freshly dripping from a comb. This hints at a temptation that doesn't just taste good, b…
