Proverbs 5:20 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 5:20 mean?

Proverbs 5:20 warns against being captivated by a woman who is not your wife, asking why someone would seek intimacy with a stranger instead of remaining faithful. The verse uses vivid language to highlight the danger and folly of pursuing relationships outside of marriage.

In this verse, a father is speaking to his son, urging him to avoid the allure of a "strange woman"—a term often used in Proverbs for someone outside the bounds of a faithful relationship. The context is a larger warning about the consequences of adultery and the importance of loyalty within marriage. The language is direct and personal, aiming to persuade the son to make wise choices about intimacy.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 5:20

• "ravished" (שָׁגָה, shagah): This word often means to go astray, wander, or be led away, sometimes with the sense of being intoxicated or infatuated. Here, it emphasizes being swept away by desire in a way that leads to poor judgment.
• "woman" (זוּר, zur): This term refers to someone who is foreign or outside the accepted community, not just in nationality but in relationship or values. In Proverbs, it often points to a woman who is not the man's wife.
• "embrace" (חָבַק, chabaq): This word means to hug or hold closely, especially in an intimate or affectionate way. The verse uses it to highlight the physical closeness that belongs within marriage.
• "bosom" (חֵיק, cheq): This refers to the chest or lap, symbolizing intimacy and closeness. The verse asks why someone would seek this intimacy with a stranger.
• "stranger" (נָכְרִי, nokhri): This word means someone who is foreign or unfamiliar, reinforcing the idea of a relationship that is outside the proper boundaries.

Why Proverbs 5:20 matters

• Proverbs 5:20 clarifies that the warning is not just about physical acts, but about the deeper issue of being emotionally and mentally captivated by someone outside of marriage.
• The verse highlights the personal and relational cost of unfaithfulness, connecting it to the broader theme in Proverbs of wisdom versus folly.
• By using terms like "ravished" and "embrace," the verse makes clear that the temptation is powerful and personal, not just a matter of rules or social expectations.