Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse warns against desiring beauty "in your heart" and being "taken" by eyelashes. This highlights that temptation often starts not just with external allurements, but with nurturing those desires internally, where they can truly take root and ensnare us.
Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The instruction continues its warnings against the seductive allure of the "strange woman," which began in chapter 5. This section moves from general advice on wisdom to specific dangers, focusing here on the sin of adultery. The preceding verses offer stark consequences for straying, setting the stage for this direct command to avoid even desiring such a woman's beauty.
The verse warns us not to 'desire her beauty in your heart.' But what does that really mean? Is it just about avoiding outward actions, or is something deeper at play?
This verse highlights that the real battle against temptation begins internally. The command isn't just to avoid looking, but to actively guard your heart from harboring unchaste thoughts or affections.
The verse mentions 'her eyelashes.' This isn't just about eye color; it points to ancient beauty practices and a specific kind of dangerous seduction.
The mention of 'eyelids' and the cultural context reveal a sophisticated form of allure.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
chamad · Hebrew Verb
A strong inner longing or craving. While desire itself is natural, the Bible warns against misplaced desires that compete with one's devotion to God and His wisdom.
Jesus expands on the idea of lust, teaching that even looking at someone with impure desire in the heart is a form of adultery, echoing Proverbs' focus on inner thoughts.
2 Kings 9:30This passage describes Jezebel painting her eyes, a practice that likely involved darkening the eyelids to enhance their allure, similar to the 'eyelashes' mentioned in Proverbs that can ensnare someone.
Romans 13:14Paul urges believers to 'put on the Lord Jesus Christ' and 'make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires,' which directly relates to Proverbs' warning against allowing desires for forbidden beauty to take hold.
1 Timothy 6:9-10This passage warns against the love of money, but the principle is similar: unchecked desire can lead to ruin. Proverbs applies this to sexual desire, showing how it can also lead to destruction.
clarkeProverbs 6:25: "Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids."
Neither let her take thee with her eye-lids - It is a very general custom in the East to paint the eye-lids. I have many Asiatic drawings in which this is expressed. They have a method of polishing the eyes with a preparation of antimony, so that they appear with an indescribable lustre; or, as one who mentions the fact from observation, "Their eyes appear to be swimming in bliss."
pooleProverbs 6:25: "Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids."
Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; do not give way to, nor delight thyself with, unchaste thoughts or affections. Compare Matthew 5:28 . With her eyelids; either with her beauty, which consists much in the eyes; or rather, with her amours and wanton glances.
The verse warns against desiring beauty "in your heart" and being "taken" by eyelashes. This highlights that temptation often starts not just with external allurements, but with nurturing those desires internally, where they can truly take root and ensnare us.
The instruction continues its warnings against the seductive allure of the "strange woman," which began in chapter 5. This section moves from general advice on wisdom to specific dangers, focusing here on the sin of adultery. The preceding verses offer stark consequences for straying, setting the stage for this direct command to avoid even desiring such a woman's beauty.
The instruction continues its warnings against the seductive allure of the "strange woman," which began in chapter 5. This section moves from general advice on wisdom to specific dangers, focusing here on the sin of adultery. The preceding verses offer stark consequences for straying, setting the stage for this direct command to avoid even desiring such a woman's beauty.
"Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;" — The verse warns against desiring beauty "in your heart" and being "taken" by eyelashes. This highlights that temptation often starts not just with external allurements, but with nurturing those desir…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026