Proverbs 7:5
That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
Original Language Analysis
לִ֭שְׁמָרְךָ
That they may keep
H8104
לִ֭שְׁמָרְךָ
That they may keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
זָרָ֑ה
thee from the strange
H2114
זָרָ֑ה
thee from the strange
Strong's:
H2114
Word #:
3 of 6
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
מִ֝נָּכְרִיָּ֗ה
from the stranger
H5237
מִ֝נָּכְרִיָּ֗ה
from the stranger
Strong's:
H5237
Word #:
4 of 6
strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
Cross References
Proverbs 2:16To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;Proverbs 6:24To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.Proverbs 5:3For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
Historical Context
Adultery carried the death penalty in Mosaic Law (Leviticus 20:10). Solomon's warnings reflect not just moral concern but awareness of severe legal and social consequences in ancient Israelite society.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'strange' voices in contemporary culture use flattering words to lead people away from God?
- How does growing in wisdom and the fear of the Lord protect you from specific temptations you face?
- In what ways can you cultivate discernment to recognize destructive paths disguised as attractive options?
Analysis & Commentary
Wisdom serves as protection 'from the strange woman' (Hebrew 'zarah')—the adulteress who represents all forbidden and destructive paths. The parallel between 'keep thee' and 'preserve thee' emphasizes comprehensive protection. Reformed theology sees this strange woman as a type of all worldly seductions that promise pleasure but deliver death. Wisdom, rooted in the fear of the Lord, is our defense against temptation. This connects to 1 Corinthians 10:13—God provides a way of escape from temptation.