For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just say her words are sweet; it highlights that they "drip" like honey from the comb. This suggests a deliberate, effortless flow of pleasant deception, not just occasional sweetness but a constant, alluring oozing designed to draw you in. Her speech is "smoother than oil," implying it bypasses your defenses and glides directly into your heart, making resistance incredibly difficult.
For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage begins a direct warning to "my son" about the deceptive allure of a "forbidden woman," contrasting her sweet-talk with the dangerous path she leads others down. It emphasizes that her enticing words, though pleasant at first, ultimately lead to ruin and death, urging the listener to avoid her entirely before they get entangled.
Ever notice how the most dangerous things often seem the most appealing? This verse unpacks that exact deceptive power.
The writer uses vivid imagery to show just how tempting forbidden paths can be. The 'lips of a forbidden woman' aren't just speaking; they're 'dripping honey.' Think about the sweetness of honey – it's pure, natural, and delightful. This is sin's initial promise: pleasure, satisfaction, and ease. It doesn't feel wrong at first; it feels good.
Her 'speech is smoother than oil.' Oil glides effortlessly, making things easy. It represents a persuasive, flattering, and manipulative way of speaking that disarms your defenses. This isn't a harsh, uninviting offer; it's a smooth, charming invitation designed to make you let your guard down and lean in.
Honey is sweet, oil is smooth. But what happens after the taste fades? This verse hints at a devastating outcome.
While verses 3-6 paint a picture of immediate allure, the broader context of Proverbs 5 warns us that this sweetness is a trap. The 'honey' and 'oil' are temporary, but the consequences are lasting and devastating.
Think of it like a beautifully wrapped gift that contains something harmful. The packaging is perfect, but the contents destroy. This deceptive woman’s words lead down a path where pleasure is fleeting, but pain – affecting health, reputation, and spiritual well-being – is profound and enduring. The initial delight is designed to blind you to the ultimate destruction that awaits.
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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 verse directly echoes the imagery of deceptive speech, describing words that are 'smoother than butter' but have 'war in their heart,' highlighting the dangerous allure of those with treacherous intentions.
Proverbs 7:21This passage illustrates the enticing deception described in Proverbs 5:3, showing how a seductive woman uses 'many PReTty reasons' to lead a naive young man astray.
Matthew 4:3Here, Satan attempts to tempt Jesus with words that sound plausible and appealing, mirroring how the 'forbidden woman' uses sweet talk to disguise destructive intentions.
Romans 16:18This verse warns about those who 'by smooth talk and flattery' deceive the hearts of the simple, aligning with the honeyed words of the seductive individual in Proverbs.
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 verse doesn't just say her words are sweet; it highlights that they "drip" like honey from the comb. This suggests a deliberate, effortless flow of pleasant deception, not just occasional sweetness but a constant, alluring oozing designed to draw you in. Her speech is "smoother than oil," implying it bypasses your defenses and glides directly into your heart, making resistance incredibly difficult.
This passage begins a direct warning to "my son" about the deceptive allure of a "forbidden woman," contrasting her sweet-talk with the dangerous path she leads others down. It emphasizes that her enticing words, though pleasant at first, ultimately lead to ruin and death, urging the listener to avoid her entirely before they get entangled.
This passage begins a direct warning to "my son" about the deceptive allure of a "forbidden woman," contrasting her sweet-talk with the dangerous path she leads others down. It emphasizes that her enticing words, though pleasant at first, ultimately lead to ruin and death, urging the listener to avoid her entirely before they get entangled.
"For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil," — The verse doesn't just say her words are sweet; it highlights that they "drip" like honey from the comb. This suggests a deliberate, effortless flow of pleasant deception, not just occasional sweetne…
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Last reviewed October 2026