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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Proverbs 22:14.
This is designed to warn all young men against the lusts of uncleanness. As they regard the welfare of their souls, let them take heed of strange women, lewd women, whom they ought to be strange to, of the mouth of strange women, of the kisses of their lips (Pro 7:13), of the words of their lips, their charms and enticements. Dread them; have nothing to do with them; for, 1. Those who abandon themselves to that sin give proof that they are abandoned of God: it is a deep pit, which those fall into that are abhorred of the Lord, who leaves them to themselves to enter into that temptation, and takes off the bridle of his restraining grace, to punish them for other sins. Value not thyself upon thy being in favour with such women, when it proclaims thee under the wrath of God. 2. It is seldom that they recover themselves, for it is a deep pit; it will be hard getting out of it, it so besots the mind and debauches the conscience, by pleasing the flesh.
Historical interpretation
Three Centuries of Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
The mouth of one speaking ill is a great pit, a steep precipice for the innocent, but steeper for one of ill will. An innocent person, though easily credulous, falls quickly, but when he has fallen rises again. The slanderer is thrown headlong by his own acts, from which he will never emerge or escape.
"A deep pit is the mouth of a strange woman," etc. He who willingly embraces the words or kisses of a harlot, as if he already knocks at the door of the infernal pit, will soon be drowned if he does not withdraw his foot cautiously, if he does not restrain his other members from vices of the penal pit, into which no one falls unless he is a son of wrath.
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Summary
Proverbs 22:14 issues a profound and sobering warning against the seductive and destructive influence of the "strange woman," depicting her enticements as an inescapable "deep pit." The verse asserts a critical spiritual principle: those who have incurred the Lord's displeasure through their unrighteousness and rebellion are particularly susceptible to falling into this spiritual and moral abyss. It underscores the severe consequences of straying from divine wisdom and highlights the intrinsic link between one's spiritual standing with God and their vulnerability to ruinous temptation.
Context
Literary Context
Proverbs 22:14 is nestled within a broader collection of wisdom sayings, specifically within the section often designated "The Sayings of the Wise" (Proverbs 22:17-24:34). This segment of Proverbs transitions from the more extended discourses of chapters 1-9 to more concise, yet equally potent, individual proverbs. The recurring motif of the "strange woman" or adulteress is a foundational theme throughout the book, serving as a stark antithesis to Lady Wisdom herself. Chapters 1-9, for instance, repeatedly warn against her deceptive allure, portraying her as a path to destruction, contrasted with the path of wisdom leading to life. This verse, therefore, reinforces a central message of Proverbs: the critical choice between two paths—one of wisdom and righteousness, leading to life and divine favor, and the other of folly and sin, leading to ruin and divine disfavor. The imagery of a "deep pit" echoes similar warnings against moral snares, such as the one found in Proverbs 23:27, emphasizing the perilous and often inescapable nature of such traps.
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Israelite society, the sanctity of the family unit and the purity of marital covenants were paramount, forming the bedrock of communal stability and covenant fidelity. Adultery was not merely a personal transgression but a grave offense against God, the marital partner, and the community, frequently incurring severe social ostracism and legal penalties, even death. The "strange woman" (Hebrew: zarah or nokriyah) could literally refer to a foreign woman, an outsider to the covenant community whose practices might include idolatry or promiscuity, but more broadly, she symbolized any woman who enticed a man away from his marital vows and the path of righteousness. Her "mouth" was understood as the primary instrument of her seduction—her flattering words, deceptive promises, and alluring speech were culturally recognized as powerful tools of temptation. Falling into her "pit" implied not only sexual sin but also profound social disgrace, financial destitution, and spiritual alienation, as her influence invariably led to a departure from the established moral and religious norms of the community.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes central to the book of Proverbs. Firstly, it vividly portrays the Peril of Seduction, not merely as a sexual temptation but as a broader spiritual danger. The "mouth of strange women" serves as a potent symbol for any enticing influence that promises immediate gratification but ultimately delivers moral decay and ruin, representing the deceptive and destructive nature of sin in its various manifestations. Secondly, the theme of Divine Justice and Spiritual Vulnerability is profoundly articulated. The phrase "he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein" suggests that succumbing to such temptations is not a random misfortune but often a direct consequence of a pre-existing spiritual condition. Those who have already incurred God's righteous displeasure through persistent rebellion or unrighteousness are left vulnerable and exposed to sin's destructive forces, underscoring God's righteous judgment and the natural consequences of spiritual estrangement. This principle resonates with the declaration in Psalm 1:6, "For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish." Finally, the verse implicitly highlights the overarching theme of Wisdom vs. Folly. The wise individual, attuned to God's commands and walking in His favor, discerns and avoids such pitfalls, while the foolish or rebellious individual, through their spiritual estrangement, becomes an easy prey for sin's destructive snares, ultimately choosing a path that leads away from life and into ruin, a contrast consistently drawn throughout Proverbs 9.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root means "to turn aside," "to be a foreigner," "strange," or "profane." In the context of Proverbs, particularly when referring to a "strange woman," it specifically denotes one who commits adultery or acts as a harlot. The term conveys not just a physical foreignness but a spiritual and moral deviation from the covenant community's norms and God's established order. It emphasizes that the woman's influence leads one astray from the righteous path and into profanity, highlighting the alien, dangerous, and destructive nature of her enticement.
This powerful primitive root means "to foam at the mouth," signifying intense rage, indignation, or fury. When applied to the LORD, it denotes divine wrath, severe displeasure, or condemnation. It is not a passive dislike but an active, righteous indignation against persistent rebellion, wickedness, or covenant disloyalty. This indicates that the individual's vulnerability to the "deep pit" is a direct consequence of their own actions that have provoked God's righteous anger and judgment.
A versatile primitive root meaning "to fall" in a wide variety of applications, including "to be cast down," "to cease," "to die," "to fail," "to perish," or "to be thrown down." In Proverbs 22:14, it vividly describes the inescapable and destructive consequence of succumbing to the "strange woman's" allure. It implies not just a stumble or a minor mistake, but a complete collapse into ruin, signifying profound spiritual, moral, and often physical or social destruction from which recovery is exceedingly difficult.
Verse Breakdown
"The mouth of strange women is a deep pit:"
This clause presents a vivid metaphor for the deceptive and destructive nature of illicit temptation. The "mouth" represents the words—the flattery, alluring promises, and deceptive enticements—that are used to lure and ensnare. The "strange women" symbolize any seductive influence that leads one away from God's truth and covenant faithfulness, often personifying the allure of sexual sin, idolatry, or any form of spiritual apostasy. This "mouth" is directly equated to a "deep pit," a chasm or snare from which escape is exceedingly difficult or impossible, signifying profound ruin, disgrace, and spiritual death. The descriptor "deep" emphasizes the severity, inescapability, and ultimate fatality of the trap.
"he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein."
This second clause reveals the spiritual prerequisite for succumbing to such perilous temptation. It is not arbitrary misfortune but a direct consequence of one's spiritual state. "He that is abhorred of the LORD" refers to an individual who has incurred God's righteous indignation or severe displeasure due to their persistent unrighteousness, rebellion, or deliberate turning away from His ways. Such a person, lacking divine favor, protection, and discernment, is left vulnerable and prone to falling into the very traps that wisdom warns against. This highlights the profound principle that spiritual estrangement from God leads directly to moral vulnerability and ultimately, to destructive consequences.
Literary Devices
Proverbs 22:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent warning with striking clarity. The most prominent is Metaphor, where "the mouth of strange women" is directly equated with "a deep pit." This vivid imagery transforms an abstract temptation into a tangible, dangerous snare, emphasizing its inescapable and destructive nature. The "pit" itself is a common biblical metaphor for ruin, death, or the grave, powerfully reinforcing the severity of the consequences. There is also an element of Personification in the "strange women," who are not merely individuals but a personified force of temptation, actively luring and trapping. The verse implicitly uses Contrast, setting the dire fate of the "abhorred of the LORD" against the implied safety and protection enjoyed by those who walk in His favor, a recurring theme throughout Proverbs. The concise, declarative statement also lends itself to Aphorism, a short, pithy saying containing a general truth or observation, a hallmark characteristic of wisdom literature.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Proverbs 22:14 profoundly connects to the biblical understanding of sin, divine justice, and the critical importance of spiritual discernment. It reveals that vulnerability to destructive temptations is often rooted in one's spiritual standing before God. When individuals persistently rebel against God's wisdom and commands, they incur His righteous displeasure, which can manifest as a withdrawal of divine protection, leaving them exposed to the natural and spiritual consequences of their choices. This is not arbitrary punishment but a just response to unrighteousness, underscoring God's holiness and His demand for covenant faithfulness. The "deep pit" symbolizes the comprehensive ruin—moral, social, and spiritual—that results from abandoning God's path. Ultimately, the verse serves as a stark reminder that true security and freedom from sin's snares are found only in a right relationship with the Lord, characterized by obedience, reverence, and a diligent pursuit of His wisdom.
Reflection and Application
Proverbs 22:14 offers timeless wisdom that transcends a literal interpretation of sexual temptation, extending to encompass any alluring influence that promises immediate gratification but ultimately leads to spiritual, moral, or physical destruction. The "mouth of strange women" can represent deceitful ideologies, corrupting media, manipulative relationships, the allure of illicit gain, or even the subtle whispers of our own unredeemed desires. The primary application, therefore, is to cultivate profound spiritual discernment and to vigilantly guard one's heart and mind against all forms of ungodly enticement. More critically, the verse highlights that our vulnerability to such "pits" is often intrinsically tied to our spiritual condition. A life marked by rebellion, indifference, or a lack of devotion to God's will leaves one exposed and susceptible, whereas a close walk with the Lord, characterized by obedience, humility, and a fervent desire for His favor, provides a robust spiritual shield. This calls us to a diligent and consistent pursuit of righteousness, recognizing that our spiritual health directly impacts our resilience against temptation and our ability to navigate life's complex moral landscape with integrity.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who are the "strange women" referred to in Proverbs 22:14?
In the context of the book of Proverbs, "strange women" (Hebrew: zarah or nokriyah) primarily refers to an adulteress, a harlot, or any woman who entices a man away from his marital covenant and the path of righteousness. While the term can literally mean a "foreign woman," its deeper meaning in wisdom literature extends to anyone whose influence is alien to God's covenant and leads to moral or spiritual deviation. Her "mouth" symbolizes her seductive words, flattery, and deceptive promises that lure individuals into destructive behaviors and away from divine wisdom, as vividly detailed in the extended warnings of Proverbs 7. This figure often serves as a personification of folly and sin itself, contrasted with Lady Wisdom.
What does it mean to be "abhorred of the LORD" in this verse?
To be "abhorred of the LORD" (Hebrew: zâʻam Yᵉhôvâh) means to be under God's severe displeasure, righteous indignation, or condemnation. This is not an arbitrary dislike but a just and active response to persistent unrighteousness, rebellion, or a deliberate turning away from God's commands and covenant. It signifies a spiritual state where an individual has alienated themselves from God's favor and protection through their own choices and actions. The verse implies that those who are already in such a state of spiritual estrangement are left vulnerable to the "deep pit" of temptation and its destructive consequences, as God, in His justice, allows them to experience the natural and spiritual outcome of their ungodly path. This concept highlights the seriousness of living outside of God's will and the profound importance of seeking and maintaining His favor, as emphasized in passages like Psalm 5:4-5.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Proverbs 22:14, with its stark warning against the "deep pit" of the "strange woman" for those "abhorred of the LORD," finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in Jesus Christ. The "strange woman" can be understood as a type of sin itself, or the world system that continually entices humanity away from God. Humanity, apart from Christ, is inherently "abhorred of the LORD" due to its fallen nature and pervasive sin, living under divine wrath and perpetually vulnerable to every destructive "pit" of temptation and its eternal consequences, as powerfully articulated in Romans 3:23 and Ephesians 2:3. However, Jesus Christ, the very embodiment of divine Wisdom (as celebrated in 1 Corinthians 1:30), came precisely to rescue those trapped in sin's "pit." He Himself became "abhorred" and bore the full weight of God's righteous wrath on the cross, taking the place of the "abhorred" sinner (as prophesied in Isaiah 53:5-6 and definitively fulfilled in 2 Corinthians 5:21). Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, those who place their faith in Him are no longer "abhorred" but are reconciled to God, declared righteous, and granted His divine favor, empowering them to resist the seductive "mouths" of temptation. Christ delivers us from the "deep pit" of sin and death, offering a new life of purity, freedom, and spiritual integrity, transforming us into His pure and undefiled bride, the Church, in stark contrast to the harlot imagery of spiritual apostasy found in Revelation 17.