Tyndale Open Study NotesProverbs 6

To secure someone else's debt means to use your own possessions as a guarantee. Whether you do this to gain a friend's goodwill or to profit from a stranger (see Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36–37; Deuteronomy 23:19–20), the risk is too high. It could lead to financial ruin. This warning is repeated in Proverbs 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; 22:26; 27:13.

free yourself: The risk of disaster is so high that escaping is a matter of life and death, like animals trapped.

• Lazy people sleep instead of preparing for what they need (see also Proverbs 24:33–34). They are the opposite of self-motivated and hardworking ants.

• Extra sleep and more slumber sarcastically describe a lazy person’s ambition.

Laziness leads to poverty. It will arrive quickly and harshly, like when a robber or bandit attacks and steals. See parallel passage Proverbs 24:33–34.

Eyes...feet...fingers...heart: These body parts describe a person's overall character, not just a single foolish act.

Winking...speaking...pointing: These were signals used to deceive innocent people.

Even if bad people seem to succeed, they will face sudden punishment.

The first line shows a number, and the second line increases it by one. This method, called number parallelism, introduces a list of items. It often highlights the most important final item (see also Proverbs 30:15–23).

A false witness distorts the truth in court or in daily conversation.

This passage highlights the serious danger of having a relationship with another man's wife (see also Proverbs 1:8, 23; 2:16–22; 5:1–23; 7:1–27).

The immoral woman uses flattering words and physical beauty to attract young men.

Sleeping with a prostitute has consequences, and sleeping with another man's wife can be dangerous. Her husband may seek revenge (Proverbs 6:34–35), and God observes and judges.

walk on hot coals: Yes, this will cause his feet to blister. The results are terrible.

Sevenfold likely means "a large amount" because the law did not require such high repayment (see Exodus 22:1, 4, 9).

A thief might face severe punishment, even if he had a reason for his actions. However, his punishment is less severe than that of an adulterer, who has no excuse for his crime. A jealous husband will demand the maximum punishment allowed by law, which is death (Deuteronomy 22:22).