Proverbs 6:25
Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 7
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
5 of 7
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
Historical Context
Job 31:1 records: 'I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?' Job recognized the eye-to-heart-to-action progression and intercepted it at entry point. Ancient and modern alike struggle with visual temptation, but biblical wisdom teaches that covenant faithfulness begins with thought life discipline, not merely behavioral compliance.
Questions for Reflection
- What visual or mental inputs are you allowing that cultivate lustful desires?
- How can you make a 'covenant with your eyes' to guard your heart?
- What does it reveal about sin's nature that internal desire constitutes real violation before external action?
Analysis & Commentary
Don't lust after her beauty in your heart, nor let her capture you with her eyelids. The Hebrew 'chamad' (desire/covet) and 'laqach' (take/capture) warn against both internal desire and external seduction. Lust begins in the heart before manifesting in action. Jesus later intensifies this: 'Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart' (Matthew 5:28). Heart-guarding precedes behavioral purity.