Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The counsel here isn't just to avoid the act, but to actively create distance from the approach of temptation. The instruction to "remove your way far" and "not come near the door" emphasizes that safety lies in a wide berth, recognizing that proximity to the danger zone itself is the first step toward ruin.
Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The father is giving his son serious, practical advice about avoiding sexual temptation, specifically from a seductive, unfaithful woman. After describing her alluring speech and deceptive nature, he stresses the importance of immediate and complete avoidance. The verses that follow will detail the severe consequences of succumbing to her charms, emphasizing ruin and regret.
When faced with a dangerous temptation, is the best strategy to confront it, or run?
The verse gives us a powerful, proactive strategy: 'Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house.' This isn't about testing your willpower; it's about smart survival.
Strategic Retreat
Think of it like this: if you know a certain path leads to a dangerous cliff, you don't walk to the edge just to see how close you can get. You deliberately choose a different, safer route.
This command means actively diverting your path, avoiding even the vicinity of danger. It's about recognizing that some temptations have an almost magnetic pull, and the only sure way to avoid being drawn in is to keep your distance entirely. It’s better to go a long way around than to risk stepping into the danger zone.
Why is 'not going near' so important? What happens when we linger near temptation?
The danger isn't just in the act itself, but in the steps that lead to it. The verse warns us not to even approach the 'door of her house.'
The Slippery Slope
This proximity is critical because:
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This passage echoes the urgency of avoiding sexual immorality, urging believers to 'flee from sexual immorality,' which aligns perfectly with the call in Proverbs to keep far away from the temptation.
1 Thessalonians 5:22This verse gives a broader principle of abstaining from all forms of evil, a concept directly applied in Proverbs 5:8 to the specific danger of sexual temptation.
James 4:7The call to 'submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil—and he will flee from you!' highlights the active resistance needed, mirroring the proactive avoidance commanded in Proverbs.
Genesis 39:12Joseph's example of fleeing from Potiphar's wife shows this principle in action, demonstrating how physical flight is a crucial strategy to maintain purity when temptation is near.
bensonProverbs 5:8: "Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:"
Proverbs 5:8-14 . Come not nigh the door of her house — Lest thine eyes affect thy heart, and her allurements prevail over thee. Lest thou give thine honour — Thy dignity and reputation, the strength and vigour of thy body and mind; unto others — Unto whores, and their base attendants; and thy years — The flower of thine age, and thy precious time, unto the cruel — To the harlot, who, though she pretends love,…
pulpitProverbs 5:8: "Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:"
Verse 8. - Remove thy way far from her. In other words, this is the same as St. Paul counsels, "Flee fornication" (1 Corinthians 6:14). From her (mealeyah; desuper ea). The term conveys the impression that the youth has come within the compass of her temptations, or that in the highest degree he is liable to them. The Hebrew meal, compounded of min and al, and meaning" from upon," being used of persons or thin…
The counsel here isn't just to avoid the act, but to actively create distance from the approach of temptation. The instruction to "remove your way far" and "not come near the door" emphasizes that safety lies in a wide berth, recognizing that proximity to the danger zone itself is the first step toward ruin.
The father is giving his son serious, practical advice about avoiding sexual temptation, specifically from a seductive, unfaithful woman. After describing her alluring speech and deceptive nature, he stresses the importance of immediate and complete avoidance. The verses that follow will detail the severe consequences of succumbing to her charms, emphasizing ruin and regret.
The father is giving his son serious, practical advice about avoiding sexual temptation, specifically from a seductive, unfaithful woman. After describing her alluring speech and deceptive nature, he stresses the importance of immediate and complete avoidance. The verses that follow will detail the severe consequences of succumbing to her charms, emphasizing ruin and regret.
"Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house," — The counsel here isn't just to avoid the act, but to actively create distance from the approach of temptation. The instruction to "remove your way far" and "not come near the door" emphasizes that…
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Last reviewed October 2026