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Proverbs 5:4

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 5:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.
Proverbs 5:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1My son, attend unto my wisdom; Incline thine ear to my understanding:
2That thou mayest preserve discretion, And that thy lips may keep knowledge.
3For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil:
4But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.
5Her feet go down to death; Her steps take hold on Sheol;
6So that she findeth not the level path of life: Her ways are unstable, [and] she knoweth [it] not.
7Now therefore, [my] sons, hearken unto me, And depart not from the words of my mouth.
← Proverbs 5:3Proverbs 5:5 →
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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
“But her end is bitter as wormwood, etc.] Which is opposed to the honeycomb her lips are said to drop; so that, as Juvenal saysf103, “plus aloes quam mellis habet”: the end which she brings persons to, or the issue of complying with her, is bitterness; such as loss of credit, substance, and health, remorse of conscience, and fear of death, corporeal and eternal; (see <210726>Ecclesiastes 7:26); sharp as a twoedged sword; which cuts every way; as committing sin with an harlot hurts both soul and body; and the reflection upon it is very cutting and distressing, and destroys all comfort and happiness. This is the reverse of her soothing and softening speech, which is as oil. Such also will be…”
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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
“her end--literally, "her future," in sense of reward, what follows (compare Psa 37:37; Psa 73:17). Its nature is evinced by the use of figures, opposite those of Pro 5:3. The physical and moral suffering of the deluded profligate are notoriously terrible.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Wormwood - In Eastern medicine this herb, the absinthium of Greek and Latin botanists, was looked upon as poisonous rather than medicinal. Compare Revelation 8:11. 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
“But - The effect of that to which she entices men, is destruction. Proverbs 5:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“her: Pro 6:24-35, Pro 7:22, Pro 7:23, Pro 9:18, Pro 23:27, Pro 23:28; Ecc 7:26; Heb 12:15, Heb 12:16 sharp: Jdg 16:4-6, Jdg 16:15-21; Psa 55:21; Heb 4:12 Proverbs 5:5”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification