TRV
Proverbs 5:10
Bible Versions
Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours [be] in the house of a stranger;
so strangers won't be filled with your strength and what you worked for go to a foreign house.
lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich the house of a foreigner.
Lest strangers be filled with thy strength, And thy labors be in the house of an alien,
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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.
Proverbs 5:10 serves as a stark warning within a broader discourse on the dangers of sexual immorality, specifically against the "strange woman" or adulteress. This verse highlights the severe financial and material consequences of such destructive choices, emphasizing the loss of one's hard-earned resources to outsiders.
Context
Chapter 5 of Proverbs is a direct admonition from a father to his son, urging him to listen to wisdom's instruction to avoid the lure of the adulteress (Proverbs 5:1-6). The verses preceding and following verse 10 enumerate the devastating outcomes of succumbing to her, including loss of health, honor, years, and eventual bitter regret (Proverbs 5:7-14). Verse 10 specifically addresses the material ruin, showing that the fruit of one's labor can be squandered on those who have no rightful claim to it.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The term "strangers" (Hebrew: נָכְרִים, nakrim) in this context frequently refers to outsiders or foreigners, but in Proverbs, it is often a euphemism for the "strange woman" or harlot and those associated with her. Her house is the "house of a stranger," indicating a place where one's resources are consumed without legitimate return. The word "wealth" (הוֹן, hon) denotes one's substance or riches, while "labours" (עָמָל, amal) signifies the painful effort or toil expended to acquire those assets, making the loss even more poignant.
Practical Application
Proverbs 5:10 serves as a timeless warning about the high cost of destructive choices. While primarily addressing sexual immorality, its principle extends to any behavior that causes one to squander valuable resources—be it time, energy, reputation, or finances—on pursuits that yield no lasting benefit and ultimately lead to regret. It encourages responsible stewardship of one's resources and a commitment to fidelity in all areas of life. The wisdom here calls us to consider the long-term consequences of our actions and to protect our future by making choices aligned with God's design for life and relationships, such as remaining faithful to one's spouse as encouraged in Proverbs 5:15-20.