Proverbs 5:22

Authorized King James Version

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His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

Original Language Analysis

עֲֽווֹנֹתָ֗יו His own iniquities H5771
עֲֽווֹנֹתָ֗יו His own iniquities
Strong's: H5771
Word #: 1 of 7
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
יִלְכְּדֻנ֥וֹ shall take H3920
יִלְכְּדֻנ֥וֹ shall take
Strong's: H3920
Word #: 2 of 7
to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 7
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָרָשָׁ֑ע the wicked H7563
הָרָשָׁ֑ע the wicked
Strong's: H7563
Word #: 4 of 7
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
וּבְחַבְלֵ֥י himself and he shall be holden H8551
וּבְחַבְלֵ֥י himself and he shall be holden
Strong's: H8551
Word #: 5 of 7
to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close
חַ֝טָּאת֗וֹ of his sins H2403
חַ֝טָּאת֗וֹ of his sins
Strong's: H2403
Word #: 6 of 7
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
יִתָּמֵֽךְ׃ with the cords H2256
יִתָּמֵֽךְ׃ with the cords
Strong's: H2256
Word #: 7 of 7
ruin

Analysis & Commentary

Sin enslaves through accumulated habit—cords binding ever tighter until escape seems impossible. Yet Reformed theology affirms God's sovereign grace can break any bondage. The sinner's self-deception ('his own iniquities shall take the wicked') shows sin's judicial dimension—we are imprisoned by our own choices while needing divine liberation.

Historical Context

Imprisonment by cords or ropes was standard practice for captives. Solomon's imagery made viscerally real the spiritual bondage produced by persistent sin and unrepentance.

Questions for Reflection