Proverbs 5:10

KJV

Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours [be] in the house of a stranger;

KJV (with Strong's)

Lest strangers {H2114} be filled {H7646} with thy wealth {H3581}; and thy labours {H6089} be in the house {H1004} of a stranger {H5237};

Complete Jewish Bible

so strangers won't be filled with your strength and what you worked for go to a foreign house.

Berean Standard Bible

lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich the house of a foreigner.

American Standard Version

Lest strangers be filled with thy strength, And thy labors be in the house of an alien,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 5:10 issues a stern and practical warning against the devastating financial and material consequences of sexual immorality, specifically the allure of the "strange woman" or adulteress. It vividly portrays how one's hard-earned wealth and diligent labor can be squandered, benefiting outsiders who have no legitimate claim, leading to personal ruin and the forfeiture of one's legacy. This verse underscores the profound and far-reaching material cost of choices that deviate from the path of wisdom and fidelity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 5 is a direct and urgent paternal admonition, forming part of a larger section (Proverbs 1-9) where wisdom personified calls out, contrasting herself with the seductive "strange woman" or adulteress. The chapter begins with a call to heed wisdom's words ([Proverbs 5:1-2](/proverbs/5-1 "Proverbs 5:1-2 - Listen to Wisdom")) before immediately plunging into a graphic description of the adulteress's deceptive charm and the bitter end of her path ([Proverbs 5:3-6](/proverbs/5-3 "Proverbs 5:3-6 - The Deceptive Allure of the Adulteress")). Verse 10 is nestled within a litany of dire consequences that follow succumbing to her, including loss of honor, years, health, and ultimately, bitter regret and public shame ([Proverbs 5:7-14](/proverbs/5-7 "Proverbs 5:7-14 - The Bitter Consequences of Folly")). This specific verse highlights the material dimension of this ruin, serving as a powerful deterrent by focusing on the squandering of tangible assets.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, family and lineage were paramount, and economic stability was often tied to land ownership and the fruit of one's labor, passed down through generations. Wealth was not merely personal accumulation but a means of securing the family's future and reputation. The concept of "stranger" (Hebrew: _nokriy_) could refer to a literal foreigner, but in Proverbs, it often carries the connotation of an outsider to the covenant community or, more specifically, one who is not part of the legitimate family unit, such as an adulterous partner. The "house of a stranger" would therefore be a place where one's resources are consumed without legitimate return, often implying the dwelling of the harlot or her associates. The warning reflects a society where financial ruin could lead to social disgrace, debt-slavery, and the irreversible loss of one's inheritance and standing.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Proverbs. Firstly, it emphasizes the theme of **Consequences of Folly**, illustrating that seemingly private or fleeting sinful acts, particularly sexual immorality, have tangible, long-term, and often irreversible negative impacts, not just spiritually but materially. Secondly, it highlights **Stewardship of Resources**, teaching that one's wealth and labor are precious assets that must be guarded and used wisely, not squandered on destructive pursuits. The idea that "strangers" consume one's "wealth" and "labours" underscores the theme of **Loss and Futility**, portraying a life path that yields no lasting fruit for the individual or their legitimate family, but instead benefits those who have no rightful claim. This contrasts sharply with the blessings promised to those who follow wisdom's path, which include prosperity and security ([Proverbs 3:9-10](/proverbs/3-9 "Proverbs 3:9-10 - Honor God with Your Wealth")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **strangers (Hebrew, _nokrîy'_):** From the root meaning "to be strange," this term denotes someone foreign, an outsider, or non-relative. In the context of Proverbs, particularly concerning sexual sin, _nokriy_ often refers to the "strange woman" (adulteress) or those associated with her, implying individuals outside the legitimate bounds of family and covenant. The verse warns that one's resources will be consumed by those who are not rightfully part of one's household or legacy.
* **filled (Hebrew, _sâbaʻ'_):** This primitive root means "to sate" or "fill to satisfaction," whether literally or figuratively. Here, it conveys the idea that the "strangers" will be completely satisfied, even glutted, with the wealth that rightfully belongs to the one who has strayed. It emphasizes the complete and utter consumption of resources, leaving nothing for the rightful owner.
* **wealth (Hebrew, _kôach'_):** While often meaning "vigor" or "strength," in this context, _kôach_ refers to one's material substance, capacity, or means—effectively, one's financial resources and assets. The warning is that this vital "substance" or "wealth," which represents one's accumulated power and security, will be entirely consumed by illicit relationships.
* **labours (Hebrew, _ʻetseb'_):** This word is derived from a root meaning "to be painful" or "to toil." It signifies the painful effort, toil, or sorrow expended to acquire one's assets. The inclusion of "labours" alongside "wealth" highlights the tragic irony: not only are the fruits of one's work lost, but the very effort and pain involved in earning it are rendered futile, benefiting those who did nothing to earn it.
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** A very broad term meaning "house" in various applications, including family, household, or dwelling. In this verse, "the house of a stranger" signifies the place or sphere of influence where one's resources are illicitly consumed. It is a place outside the legitimate, God-ordained family structure, emphasizing the profound displacement and misdirection of one's life and assets.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth":** This clause presents the primary negative consequence: the squandering of one's financial resources. The "strangers" are those who have no legitimate claim to the individual's assets, often implying the adulteress and her associates. The verb "filled" (sated) emphasizes the complete and satisfying consumption of the individual's wealth by these outsiders, leaving the original owner impoverished.
* **"and thy labours [be] in the house of a stranger":** This second clause reinforces the first, focusing on the futility of one's diligent work. "Labours" refers to the painful effort and toil expended to accumulate wealth. This clause warns that the fruit of all that effort will not benefit the individual or their legitimate family, but will instead be consumed within the "house of a stranger"—a place or sphere of influence outside the bounds of proper, God-ordained relationships, often the dwelling of the adulteress. It highlights the tragic misdirection and ultimate waste of one's life's work.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 5:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its warning. It functions as a **Consequence** statement, explicitly outlining the negative outcomes of straying from wisdom's path, particularly in the realm of sexual purity. The phrase "Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the complete and utter consumption of one's resources, suggesting not just a loss, but an excessive, satisfying gain for the undeserving. The imagery of "thy labours [be] in the house of a stranger" is a powerful **Metonymy**, where "house of a stranger" stands for the entire illicit relationship and its destructive sphere of influence. It also employs **Irony**, as the very effort and pain (labours) expended to build a life are redirected to benefit those who seek to tear it down. The verse serves as a direct **Warning**, designed to deter the listener by presenting a vivid and undesirable future.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 5:10 is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of wisdom, stewardship, and the sanctity of covenant relationships. Theologically, it underscores that sin is not a private matter but has tangible, often devastating, consequences that extend to one's material well-being and legacy. It reflects the principle that God's design for human flourishing includes responsible management of resources and fidelity in relationships, and deviation from this design inevitably leads to loss. The verse implicitly connects to the broader theme of divine justice, where actions bear their natural fruit, and the path of folly leads to ruin, while wisdom promises security and prosperity. It serves as a stark reminder that true wealth is not merely accumulated but wisely stewarded and protected within the bounds of God's righteous order.

* [Proverbs 6:26](/proverbs/6-26 "Proverbs 6:26 - The Cost of Adultery")
* [Proverbs 23:27-28](/proverbs/23-27 "Proverbs 23:27-28 - The Pit of the Strange Woman")
* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage Should Be Honored")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 5:10 offers a timeless and piercing insight into the hidden costs of destructive choices, particularly those related to sexual immorality. While directly addressing the dangers of the adulteress, its principle extends to any behavior that causes us to squander our most valuable resources—our time, energy, reputation, and finances—on pursuits that yield no lasting benefit and ultimately lead to regret and emptiness. This verse calls us to a profound level of stewardship, not just over our money, but over our entire lives, recognizing that our "wealth" and "labours" are precious gifts to be invested wisely, for God's glory and for the benefit of our legitimate families and communities, not for "strangers" who would exploit and consume. It challenges us to consider the long-term consequences of our actions, urging proactive wisdom and fidelity in all areas of life, ensuring that our efforts build a lasting legacy rather than being dissipated in fleeting, illicit pleasures.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "squandering" my valuable resources (time, energy, finances, relationships) on pursuits that do not build lasting value or contribute to my true well-being?**
* **How does the warning about "strangers" taking one's "wealth" and "labours" challenge my understanding of stewardship and responsibility?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to protect my "wealth" and "labours" from being consumed by destructive influences or illicit desires?**
* **How does a commitment to fidelity, not just sexually but in all areas of life, safeguard my future and legacy?**

### FAQ

**Who are the "strangers" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: In the context of Proverbs 5, the "strangers" (Hebrew: _nokriy_) primarily refer to those outside the legitimate family and covenant relationship, most notably the "strange woman" or adulteress, and any associates who benefit from her illicit activities. It signifies individuals who have no rightful claim to one's wealth or the fruit of one's labor, but who would exploit and consume it through immoral means. The term emphasizes the foreignness and illegitimacy of the relationship that leads to such financial ruin.

**Is this verse only about sexual sin, or does it have broader application?**

Answer: While Proverbs 5:10 is specifically situated within a discourse on the dangers of sexual immorality and the adulteress, the principle it conveys—that destructive choices lead to the squandering of resources and the benefiting of undeserving outsiders—has broader application. It teaches a universal truth about the consequences of folly. Any behavior that causes one to misdirect or waste valuable assets (financial, emotional, relational, or spiritual) on pursuits that do not align with God's wisdom can result in a similar sense of loss, where one's efforts ultimately serve "strangers" (i.e., unproductive or harmful ends) rather than building a lasting, God-honoring legacy. For example, excessive gambling, substance abuse, or reckless financial decisions could all lead to similar outcomes as described in this verse, where one's "wealth" and "labours" are consumed by destructive forces.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of financial stewardship today?**

Answer: Proverbs 5:10 profoundly impacts modern financial stewardship by highlighting the hidden costs of immoral or unwise choices. It warns that poor decisions, especially those driven by illicit desires, can lead to the dissipation of one's financial resources and the futility of one's work. For believers, this verse underscores the importance of stewarding God's provisions faithfully, recognizing that our "wealth" and "labours" are not solely our own but are entrusted to us. It encourages financial discipline, integrity, and a commitment to using resources in ways that honor God and build up our families and communities, rather than allowing them to be consumed by destructive habits or relationships that ultimately yield regret and emptiness. The call to "drink water from your own cistern" ([Proverbs 5:15](/proverbs/5-15 "Proverbs 5:15 - Be Faithful to Your Spouse")) is a powerful metaphor for finding satisfaction and security within legitimate, God-ordained boundaries, which includes financial prudence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 5:10, with its stark warning against the squandering of wealth and labor on "strangers" through folly, finds its ultimate fulfillment and counterpoint in Christ. Humanity, in its fallen state, has indeed squandered its spiritual inheritance and "labours" on "strange" gods and sinful pursuits, leaving us spiritually bankrupt and enslaved. However, Jesus Christ, the embodiment of true Wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")), came not to squander, but to redeem. He did not allow His "wealth" (His divine glory and life) to be consumed by strangers, but rather poured it out as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Through His sacrifice, He reclaims us from being "strangers and aliens" ([Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - No Longer Strangers")) and brings us into His own household, making us heirs of an imperishable inheritance ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance That Is Imperishable")). The warning of Proverbs 5:10 against losing one's substance to destructive external forces is overcome in Christ, who offers true and lasting "wealth" in the form of eternal life and spiritual abundance ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Life Abundant")). In Him, our "labours" are no longer futilely spent in the "house of a stranger" (sin), but are now invested in His Kingdom, yielding eternal fruit and a secure inheritance that no "stranger" can ever consume ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hosea 7:9

Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth [it] not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.

Proverbs 6:35

He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

Proverbs 31:3

Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

Luke 15:30

But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.