Proverbs 5:9 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 5:9 mean?

Proverbs 5:9 warns that if someone makes foolish or immoral choices, they risk losing their honor and the best years of their life to people who do not care for them and may even treat them harshly. The verse highlights the real cost of unwise living: personal dignity and precious time can be handed over to others who are "cruel."

In Proverbs 5, a father is speaking to his son, urging him to avoid the temptations of an unfaithful relationship. The verse uses strong language to show that the consequences of ignoring wisdom are not just emotional or spiritual, but practical and lasting. The warning is about the danger of giving away what is most valuable—one’s reputation and years—to those who will not value or respect them.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 5:9

• "give" (נָתַן, natan): This word means to hand over or deliver something. In this context, it emphasizes a voluntary surrender, showing that the loss of honor and years is a direct result of one’s own actions.
• "honour" (הוֹד, hod): This word refers to splendor, dignity, or reputation. The verse is not just about losing material things, but about losing the respect and value that make life meaningful.
• "others" (אַחֵר, acher): This word means "others" or "strangers." It points to people outside one’s close circle, suggesting that the loss is to those who have no real connection or loyalty.
• "years" (שָׁנָה, shanah): This word simply means "years," but in this context, it underscores that what is lost is not just a moment, but significant portions of a person’s life.
• "cruel" (אַכְזָרִי, akhzari): This word means "cruel" or "merciless." It highlights that those who gain from these choices are not compassionate, but harsh and uncaring.

Why Proverbs 5:9 matters

• Proverbs 5:9 clarifies that the consequences of unwise choices are not just internal or spiritual, but can lead to real, lasting losses in reputation and time.
• The verse connects to the wider warning in Proverbs 5 about the dangers of unfaithfulness and the high price of ignoring wisdom.
• By naming "others" and "the cruel," the verse emphasizes that what is lost may end up in the hands of people who do not care for the person at all, making the warning more vivid and personal.