Proverbs 5:10

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

• Financial Ruin from Immorality: The most direct message is that engaging in sexual sin leads to the squandering of wealth. "Strangers" here refers not just to literal foreigners, but to those outside the legitimate family or marital bond, often implying the adulteress and her associates who would consume one's assets.
• Loss of Labor's Fruit: The phrase "thy labours [be] in the house of a stranger" underscores the tragic irony of one's diligent work and effort benefiting those who did nothing to earn it. It speaks to the utter waste and futility of such a path.
• Long-Term Consequences: This verse, like many in Proverbs, emphasizes that seemingly private or fleeting sinful acts have far-reaching, tangible, and often irreversible negative impacts on one's life and legacy.

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.