Proverbs 22:14

Analysis & Commentary

This proverb warns against sexual immorality using vivid imagery. 'Strange women' (זָרוֹת/zarot) refers to adulteresses or prostitutes—women outside covenant marriage. The 'deep pit' (שׁוּחָה עֲמֻקָּה/shuchah amuqqah) evokes inescapable danger, like Joseph's pit (Genesis 37:24) or the grave (Psalm 55:23). Once a man falls into sexual sin, escape becomes extraordinarily difficult. The second half reveals God's active judgment: 'he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein' (זְעוּם יְהוָה/ze'um YHWH, one under God's wrath). This doesn't mean God tempts (James 1:13) but that divine judgment includes giving people over to their sinful desires (Romans 1:24-28). Sexual sin particularly destroys because it sins 'against his own body' (1 Corinthians 6:18). Paul warned that persistent immorality evidences non-salvation: 'no whoremonger... hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ' (Ephesians 5:5). Yet Christ came to save sexual sinners—the woman at the well, the adulterous woman, prostitutes who believed. The gospel offers cleansing: 'such were some of you: but ye are washed' (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Historical Context

Ancient Israel was surrounded by cultures practicing ritual prostitution as worship. Canaanite religion centered on fertility cults with temple prostitutes (Deuteronomy 23:17). Israel repeatedly fell into this idolatry—even Solomon's foreign wives led him into sexual and spiritual unfaithfulness (1 Kings 11:1-8). The law prescribed death for adultery (Leviticus 20:10), underscoring its severity. Proverbs repeatedly warns against the 'strange woman' (2:16-19; 5:3-14; 6:24-35; 7:6-27), indicating this was a pervasive temptation. The imagery of a 'pit' or 'snare' appears throughout: sexual sin destroys families, reputations, health, and spiritual vitality. In the Greco-Roman world of the early church, sexual immorality was ubiquitous and culturally accepted. Christians' sexual purity made them stand out radically. Paul's letters repeatedly address sexual ethics (1 Corinthians 5-7; Ephesians 5:3-12; Colossians 3:5), calling believers to holiness in a sexually corrupt culture.

Questions for Reflection

• What 'guardrails' have you established to protect yourself from sexual temptation in a pornographic culture?
• How does understanding sexual sin as a 'deep pit' change your view of seemingly small compromises?
• If you have fallen into sexual sin, do you understand that Christ came to save sinners and offers complete forgiveness and transformation?