Proverbs 5:3

Proverbs 5:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
• New International Version (NIV)For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;
• English Standard Version (ESV)For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil,
• New Living Translation (NLT)For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil.

Context of Proverbs 5:3

1My son, pay attention to my wisdom; Lend your ear to my understanding, 2That you may preserve discretion, And your lips may keep knowledge. For the lips of an immoral woman drip 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 lay hold of hell.

Proverbs 5:3 word by word

כִּ֤י נֹ֣פֶת תִּ֭טֹּפְנָה שִׂפְתֵ֣י זָרָ֑ה וְחָלָ֖ק מִשֶּׁ֣מֶן חִכָּֽהּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• For the lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lipsH8193
• of a strange womanזוּרzûr · be a strangerH2114
• dropנָטַףnâţaph · to drip/prophesyH5197
• an honeycombנֹ֫פֶתnôpheth · honeyH5317
• and her mouthחֵךְchêk · palateH2441
• smootherחָלָקchâlâq · smoothH2509
• than oilשֶׁ֫מֶןshemen · oilH8081

Cross-references for Proverbs 5:3

• Proverbs 2:16To deliver you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words,
• Proverbs 6:24To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress.
• Proverbs 7:21With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, With her flattering lips she seduced him.
• Revelation 17:2with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”
• Psalms 55:21The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.

Commentaries on Proverbs 5:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3The lips of a strange woman - One that is not thy own, whether Jewess or heathen. Drop as a honey-comb - She uses the most deceitful, flattering, and alluring speeches: as the droppings of the honey out of the comb are the sweetest of all.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Smoother than oil - The same comparison is used in marginal reference to describe the treachery of a false friend.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4The lips of an immoral woman may seem sweet and tempting, but they are actually bitter and dangerous. Sexual activity often starts with a kiss, and flattering words can lure someone in.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. (Compare Pr 2:16). Her enticing promises are deceitful.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 5:3

• Adultery
• Flattery
• Harlot (Prostitute)
• Lasciviousness
• Women
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Strange Woman
• Cord
• Honey
• Mouth
• Education
• Hezekiah (2)
• Oil
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Purity

Commentaries on Proverbs 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings