Question 1

What does Proverbs 2:16 mean?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 2:16 says that wisdom will protect you from a woman who is considered “strange” or foreign, especially one who uses flattering words to entice. The verse warns that being wise helps a person avoid falling for seductive speech from someone outside their community or moral boundaries. In this part of Proverbs, a father is teaching his son about the value of wisdom. The “strange woman” refers to someone who is not part of the family or faith community, often seen as a symbol for temptation or unfaithfulness. The focus is on how wisdom acts as a safeguard against being misled by persuasive or deceptive words.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 2:16

Accepted Answer

“Deliver” (נָצַל, natsal, H5337) means to rescue or snatch away. The verse uses this word to show that wisdom actively saves a person from danger, not just warns. “Strange” (זָר, zar, H2114) and “stranger” (נָכְרִי, nokhri, H5237) both describe someone foreign or outside the community, but “zar” often carries the sense of being alien or different in a moral or relational way. “Flattereth” (חָלַק, chalak, H2505) means to make smooth or slippery, and in this context, it refers to persuasive, seductive speech that can lead someone astray. “Words” (אֵמֶר, emer, H561) simply means spoken things, but here it highlights the power of speech to influence choices.

Question 3

Why Proverbs 2:16 matters

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 2:16 clarifies that wisdom is not just about knowledge, but about protection from real-life dangers, including moral and relational traps. The verse highlights the power of words—especially flattery—to mislead, showing that wisdom helps a person see through attractive but harmful speech. This warning connects to the larger theme of Proverbs 2, where wisdom is portrayed as a shield against various forms of temptation and trouble, not just the obvious ones.

Proverbs 2:16 (KJV)