Proverbs chapter 5

vs 1

This seems to be the mark of a new section - the request for listening again.

vs 2

Discretion is added here, I think for the first time. I suppose I would put the term on the same level as discernment - the ability to choose. Prudence is often thought of when talking about discretion. Given the subject matter, perhaps that is warranted.

vs 3

I don't think he's talking about tasty lips to kiss (although that could be a fair reading) but I think considering the lips also hold knowledge in the previous verse, you could say that lips and words are synonymous. So it is the fact that she is tempting through her words.

vs 4

Heh, the Word of God is as sharp as a two-edged sword too. Probably not comparing it to an adulterous woman's words.

vs 5

Same as her lips, her feet are not literally the problem. It is where they take her, what she does with them. Following her way leads to death. That seems strong words. But remember that adultery was actually punishable by death. I don't know if it needs to be interpreted more broadly than that.

vs 6

This is an interesting insight into the mind of the adulterous woman, from Solomon's view anyway. I think the idea is that anyone following this path is obviously not following the true path, the righteous path. What they are doing, then, is just sort of wandering. They're taking a long, meandering, pointless stroll, and at the end of it is death.

vs 7

Again, listen! More repetition, more of a set up for what he has to say next.

vs 8

The distances that we are told to keep from all unwise things is usually pretty far. In this case, certainly don't go up to her door.

vs 9

Not quite sure what the older translations of this verse are getting at - the idea of losing your vigour and your years. Perhaps the idea is that you will spend so much time and energy on the adultress that you don't then give to your proper wife. I wonder how attractive adultery was in the days of forced and arranged marriage? Anyway, that could be it. The TNIV talks in much broader language about honour and dignity.

vs 10

This could refer to the idea that adultery is often combined with being a sugardaddy, and so you are giving wealth that belongs to your family to some other family.

vs 11

Adultery doesn't last forever, it seems. You are still married to your wife (everyone is married, remember) and so you end up finding that the person you spent all your time loving on and feeling all cuddly with isn't her, but that's the person you spend your dotage with. At least, that's how I read it.