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Proverbs 5:20

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 5:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For why shouldest thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For why shouldest thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?
Proverbs 5:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17Let them be for thyself alone, And not for strangers with thee.
18Let thy fountain be blessed; And rejoice in the wife of thy youth.
19[As] a loving hind and a pleasant doe, Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; And be thou ravished always with her love.
20For why shouldest thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?
21For the ways of man are before the eyes of Jehovah; And he maketh level all his paths.
22His own iniquities shall take the wicked, And he shall be holden with the cords of his sin.
23He shall die for lack of instruction; And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
← Proverbs 5:19Proverbs 5:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, etc.] Or “err with her”f119; after all those inconveniences and miseries that follow upon a conversation with a harlot, and all those advantages of a marriage state set before thee; why wilt thou be, so foolish and mad as to have a fondness for an harlot and dote upon her, and neglect entering into a marriage state, or forsake the wife of youth? and yet though things are so clearly stated and aptly represented, and the expostulation made in the most tender and affectionate manner; it is suggested as if after all it would not be attended unto, but a harlot be preferred to a wife of youth, a filthy beast to a loving hind, and dirty…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Emphasis is laid (see the Proverbs 2:16 note) upon the origin of the beguiler. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“with: Pro 2:16-19, Pro 6:24, Pro 7:5, Pro 22:14, Pro 23:27, Pro 23:28, Pro 23:33; Kg1 11:1 Proverbs 5:21”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 5 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification