Proverbs 6:26
For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְעַד
For by means of
H1157
בְעַד
For by means of
Strong's:
H1157
Word #:
2 of 12
in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc
זוֹנָ֗ה
a whorish
H2181
זוֹנָ֗ה
a whorish
Strong's:
H2181
Word #:
4 of 12
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
עַֽד
H5704
עַֽד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
5 of 12
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
כִּכַּ֫ר
a man is brought to a piece
H3603
כִּכַּ֫ר
a man is brought to a piece
Strong's:
H3603
Word #:
6 of 12
a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l
לָ֥חֶם
of bread
H3899
לָ֥חֶם
of bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
7 of 12
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
אִ֑ישׁ
H376
אִ֑ישׁ
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 12
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
life
H5315
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
life
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Cross References
Proverbs 29:3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.Proverbs 5:10Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;Luke 15:30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.1 Samuel 2:36And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
Historical Context
Ancient prostitution involved both economic transaction and cultic practice (temple prostitution). Both degraded human dignity - persons became commodities. Prophets consistently condemned Israel's spiritual prostitution (idolatry) using marital metaphor. Hosea's marriage to Gomer illustrated this vividly. Sexual sin's degradation mirrors spiritual adultery's devastation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does pornography reduce persons to commodities, and how does this parallel prostitution's degradation?
- What 'precious life' is being hunted/destroyed by sexual temptation you're entertaining?
- How does understanding persons as image-bearers create moral resistance to sexual exploitation?
Analysis & Commentary
A prostitute reduces a man to a loaf of bread, while an adulteress preys on precious life. The Hebrew imagery of becoming 'a loaf of bread' ('kikkar lechem') indicates reduction to mere object or commodity - total degradation. The adulteress 'hunts' ('tsu wd') precious life like predator pursuing prey. Sexual sin commodifies persons and destroys life. What God designed for mutual blessing becomes mutual exploitation and destruction.