FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation Proverbs 5:21
KJVFor the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
Read it in context
Avoiding Immorality
Start reading at Proverbs 5:1 (Proverbs 5:1 to Proverbs 5:23).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
- 5:1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
- 5:2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
- 5:3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
- 5:4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
- 5:5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
- 5:6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
- 5:7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
- 5:8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
- 5:9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
- 5:10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
- 5:11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
- 5:12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
- 5:13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
- 5:14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
- 5:15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
- 5:16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
- 5:17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
- 5:18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
- 5:19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
- 5:20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
- 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
- 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
- 5:23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 1:1–9:18): The teacher or parent addresses a son or pupil; Wisdom and the opposing seductive voices are personified within the instruction. These speeches train hearers rather than narrate a gathering of every person used as an example. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Avoiding Immorality. Read Proverbs 5:1 through Proverbs 5:23 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Avoiding Immorality (Proverbs 5:1 to Proverbs 5:23). Start reading at Proverbs 5:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cited: Proverbs 5:1, Proverbs 5:23, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Solomon, and also Agur and King Lemuel, and notes that Hezekiah's men copied out further proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1Proverbs 25:1Proverbs 30:1Proverbs 31:1
Early traditionTradition credits Solomon as the principal author.
What is debatedThe book itself describes later collecting, so it reached its final form after Solomon.
Related passages
- For the ways of man are before the eyes o… Prov 15:3 2 Chr 16:9 Job 31:4 Job 34:21 Ps 11:4 Ps 17:3 Ps 139:1-12 Jer 16:17
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 5
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation The proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 10:1–22:16FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Further proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–29:27FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Connection to the wholeAgur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
interpretation The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter joins instruction concerning rulers with an ordered portrait of a woman's capable and generous work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.