Proverbs 6:24
To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
Original Language Analysis
לִ֭שְׁמָרְךָ
To keep
H8104
לִ֭שְׁמָרְךָ
To keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מֵֽ֝חֶלְקַ֗ת
from the flattery
H2513
מֵֽ֝חֶלְקַ֗ת
from the flattery
Strong's:
H2513
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery
Cross References
Proverbs 2:16To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;Proverbs 7:5That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.Proverbs 5:3For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:Ecclesiastes 7:26And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
Historical Context
Proverbs 5-7's extended adultery warnings addressed both literal sexual temptation and spiritual adultery (idolatry). Foreign women often introduced foreign gods (Solomon's downfall - 1 Kings 11:1-8). Flattering speech characterized both sexual seducers and false prophets. Wisdom exposes both. Ezra-Nehemiah's post-exilic concern about intermarriage reflected this ongoing danger.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'flattering tongue' currently tempts you away from godly commitments?
- How does wisdom help you resist temptations that seem irresistibly appealing?
- What foreign influences (non-biblical worldviews) need to be recognized as seductive dangers?
Analysis & Commentary
Wisdom keeps you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the foreign tongue. The Hebrew 'shamar' (keep/preserve) and 'chelqah' (flattery/smoothness) describe protective function and seductive danger. The 'strange woman' represents both literal sexual temptation and metaphorical enticement away from covenant faithfulness. Wisdom provides moral immunity against seduction's power. What seems irresistibly attractive loses appeal when wisdom reveals true cost.