Proverbs 7:27
Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
Original Language Analysis
דַּרְכֵ֣י
is the way
H1870
דַּרְכֵ֣י
is the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
1 of 7
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
שְׁא֣וֹל
to hell
H7585
שְׁא֣וֹל
to hell
Strong's:
H7585
Word #:
2 of 7
hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
בֵּיתָ֑הּ
Her house
H1004
בֵּיתָ֑הּ
Her house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 7
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יֹ֝רְד֗וֹת
going down
H3381
יֹ֝רְד֗וֹת
going down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
4 of 7
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
Cross References
Proverbs 5:5Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.Proverbs 9:18But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.Revelation 22:15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.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
Sheol in Old Testament represents death, grave, underworld - place of departed dead. While theological understanding developed through Scripture, Proverbs uses Sheol to indicate death and destruction. Sexual sin's endpoint is comprehensive death - spiritual, relational, potentially physical. Sixteenth-century syphilis epidemics and modern STDs demonstrate literal death consequences. Spiritual and relational death remain constant.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing sexual temptation as path to 'death' affect your evaluation of its appeal?
- What progressive descent into destruction have you witnessed from seemingly innocent first steps?
- What immediate exit from descending paths does wisdom require before reaching death's chambers?
Analysis & Commentary
Her house is the way to Sheol, descending to chambers of death. The Hebrew 'sheowl' (grave/death/underworld) and 'maweth' (death) describe final destination. Sexual sin's path descends progressively deeper into destruction. It's not lateral movement but downward spiral. Each step leads lower until arriving at death's chambers. The path seems pleasurable but terminates in destruction. Proverbs 5:5 similarly warns: 'Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.'