Proverbs 5:9
Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
Original Language Analysis
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
תִּתֵּ֣ן
Lest thou give
H5414
תִּתֵּ֣ן
Lest thou give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 6
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
הוֹדֶ֑ךָ
thine honour
H1935
הוֹדֶ֑ךָ
thine honour
Strong's:
H1935
Word #:
4 of 6
grandeur (i.e., an imposing form and appearance)
Historical Context
Ancient honor-shame cultures made sexual purity central to personal and family honor. Adultery brought public shame, destroyed reputation, forfeited inheritance rights. The 'cruel' could be the offended spouse, the seducer, or personified consequences. Proverbs repeatedly warns that sexual sin's costs vastly exceed its pleasures.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'honor' might you be surrendering through moral compromise?
- To whom or what are you giving your best years, and is it worthy of such investment?
- How can you recover honor lost through past failures?
Analysis & Commentary
Give not your honor to others nor your years to the cruel. Sexual immorality surrenders dignity and consumes life. The Hebrew 'hod' (honor/splendor) and 'akzari' (cruel/fierce) describe what's lost and who profits. Adultery degrades the adulterer while enriching exploitative partners. Sin robs us of what's valuable and delivers us to what's destructive. Folly is transaction where we lose everything valuable for nothing of worth.