Proverbs 2:18

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 2:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For her house inclineth unto death, And her paths unto the dead;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For her house inclineth unto death, And her paths unto the dead;
Proverbs 2:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18For her house inclineth unto death, And her paths unto the dead;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For her house inclineth unto death, etc.] Bends, verges, and points that way; it lies in the way to death, and brings unto it, and sinks into it as into a ditch; or all that are in her house, that are familiar with her, live and dwell with her, and commit wickedness with her; these incline or are liable to lose, and do lose, their name, character, and reputation, which is a death upon them; and bring diseases upon their bodies, which issue in corporeal death; or are in danger of dying by the hand of the injured husband, or the civil magistrate; and also are exposed unto eternal death: or “she inclines to death, which is her house”f46, so Aben Ezra and Kimchi; and to which the Targum agrees,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“inclineth--sinks down (compare Num 13:31). the dead--or shades of the departed (Psa 88:10).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The house of the adulteress is as Hades, the realm of death, haunted by the spectral shadows of the dead (Rephaim, see the Psalms 88:10 note), who have perished there. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For - Conversation with her (which was most usual in her own house) is the certain way to death, which it brings many ways, and undoubtedly, without repentance, to God's wrath and the second death. Proverbs 2:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:18-19 leads . . . to the grave: Adultery betrays a fundamental covenant with one’s spouse and with God (see also Gen 39:2-9; Mal 2:14).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Pro 5:4-14, Pro 6:26-35, Pro 7:22-27, Pro 9:18; Co1 6:9-11; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:5; Rev 21:8, Rev 22:15 Proverbs 2:19”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification