Proverbs 5:22

KJV

His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

KJV (with Strong's)

His own iniquities {H5771} shall take {H3920} the wicked {H7563} himself, and he shall be holden {H8551} with the cords {H2256} of his sins {H2403}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A wicked person's own crimes will trap him, he will be held fast by the ropes of his sin.

Berean Standard Bible

The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him.

American Standard Version

His own iniquities shall take the wicked, And he shall be holden with the cords of his sin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 5:22 delivers a profound and sobering warning, asserting that a life characterized by wickedness inevitably leads to self-inflicted capture and spiritual bondage. The verse powerfully illustrates how an individual's own moral perversions and sinful actions become the very instruments of their entrapment, creating an inescapable state of entanglement from which true freedom is impossible without divine intervention. This foundational principle underscores that sin is not merely an external transgression but an internal, insidious force that ensnares and holds its perpetrator captive.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 5:22 is strategically placed within the larger instructional framework of Proverbs 1-9, which functions as a father's earnest appeal to his son to embrace wisdom and shun folly. More specifically, Proverbs 5 is a vivid and urgent admonition against the perils of sexual immorality, particularly adultery, personified by the "strange woman" or adulteress. The preceding verses (1-21) meticulously detail her deceptive allure, her smooth words, and the devastating, bitter consequences that inevitably follow her path, contrasting them sharply with the blessings of marital fidelity. Verse 22 serves as a climactic and universalizing summary, encapsulating the underlying principle that applies not only to sexual sin but to all forms of moral deviation: the wicked are ensnared by their own choices. It provides the theological rationale for the practical warnings that precede it, emphasizing the inherent, inescapable nature of sin's consequences.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Originating from ancient Israel, likely during the Solomonic era, the Book of Proverbs reflects a society deeply rooted in a burgeoning wisdom tradition. In this patriarchal culture, the diligent instruction of sons was paramount for the preservation of family lineage, societal order, and the transmission of covenantal values. The "strange woman" represented a profound threat to the integrity of the family unit, which formed the bedrock of Israelite society. Adultery was a severe transgression under the Mosaic Law, punishable by death, and was considered a grave breach of covenant faithfulness, both to one's spouse and to God. Wisdom literature, including Proverbs, sought to cultivate practical righteousness and moral discernment, frequently employing vivid imagery and pithy aphorisms to convey timeless truths. The concept of self-inflicted consequences was deeply ingrained in their understanding of divine justice, where actions had inherent repercussions, often perceived as God's natural ordering of the world.
* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 5:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes prevalent throughout the Book of Proverbs and biblical wisdom literature. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **self-inflicted consequences**, emphasizing that the downfall of the wicked is not merely an external punishment but a direct, inherent outcome of their own actions. Their "iniquities" become the very agents of their capture, a principle echoed in the broader biblical teaching that "whatever one sows, that will he also reap," as found in [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping"). Secondly, the verse highlights **spiritual bondage**, using the vivid imagery of being "holden with the cords of his sins." Sin, initially presented as a path to freedom or pleasure, ultimately enslaves the individual, restricting their true liberty and making them a captive to their own desires and habits. This concept resonates deeply with New Testament teachings on the slavery of sin, as articulated by Jesus in [John 8:34](/john/8-34 "John 8:34 - Sin as Slavery"). Thirdly, it underscores the **inevitable justice** woven into the moral fabric of the universe. While not always an immediate, overt divine judgment, the verse implies a natural, unavoidable consequence of moral transgression, where wickedness leads to its own entrapment. This aligns with the broader wisdom tradition that righteousness leads to life and flourishing, while folly leads to death and destruction, a foundational principle throughout [Proverbs](/proverbs/1 "Proverbs 1 - The Beginning of Knowledge").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **iniquities (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** This term (H5771) denotes perversity, moral evil, or guilt. It signifies not merely an accidental misstep but often implies a deliberate deviation from what is right, a "crookedness" of character. It carries the sense of the burden of guilt and the associated punishment or consequence that naturally flows from such moral distortion. The plural "iniquities" suggests an accumulation or multitude of such perverse acts.
* **take (Hebrew, _lâkad'_):** The verb (H3920) means to catch, capture, or ensnare, frequently used in the context of hunting, trapping, or seizing. In this verse, it vividly portrays the wicked person being caught unawares or falling into a trap that, ironically, their own actions have set. It implies an inescapable grasp, a sudden and decisive capture.
* **holden (Hebrew, _tâmak'_):** This root (H8551) generally means to sustain, support, or hold up. However, in this context, it takes on a negative connotation, indicating being held fast, restrained, or supported in a way that restricts freedom. It suggests an unyielding grip, where the individual is firmly bound by an external force, which the verse identifies as their own sins.
* **cords (Hebrew, _chebel'_):** This noun (H2256) refers to a rope, a measuring line, or, significantly, a noose or snare. The imagery of "cords" powerfully conveys entanglement, restriction, and the inability to escape. It paints a picture of being bound and constricted, unable to move freely, much like an animal caught in a trap.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself":** This initial clause establishes the profound principle of self-inflicted consequences. The subject, "his own iniquities," is personified as an active agent that "takes" or ensnares "the wicked himself." This highlights that the downfall of the morally perverse individual is not an arbitrary external punishment but an inherent, inescapable outcome of their character and actions. The very nature of their wrongdoing becomes the instrument of their capture, demonstrating an internal, inescapable logic to sin's destructive power.
* **"and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins."**: This second clause functions as a powerful synonymous parallelism, reiterating and intensifying the message of the first. The imagery shifts from being "taken" to being "holden" (held fast), and the instrument of capture becomes "the cords of his sins." This vivid metaphor emphasizes the binding, restrictive, and enslaving nature of sin. What might initially appear as freedom or pleasure ultimately becomes a set of bonds, a self-made prison from which the individual cannot easily break free, leading to a state of spiritual and moral captivity.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 5:22 is rich in **Imagery** and **Metaphor**, painting a vivid picture of entrapment and bondage. The phrase "cords of his sins" serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for the binding nature of habitual wrongdoing, likening sin to physical ropes or snares that restrict freedom and lead to captivity. This imagery is further enhanced by **Personification**, as "iniquities" are depicted as active agents that "take" or capture the wicked, giving abstract concepts a tangible, menacing quality. The verse also employs **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins") restates and reinforces the idea of the first clause ("His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself") using different but related imagery. This repetition deepens the impact and emphasizes the inevitability of the consequences, underscoring that the wicked are caught by their own doing and bound by their own choices.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 5:22 powerfully articulates the biblical principle of inherent consequences, where sin is not merely an isolated act but a pervasive force that binds and enslaves its perpetrator. It reveals a divinely ordered universe where moral actions have natural, inescapable repercussions, demonstrating that God's justice is often woven into the very fabric of creation. This verse highlights the deceptive nature of sin, which promises freedom and pleasure but ultimately delivers spiritual bondage and ruin. It underscores the profound personal responsibility each individual bears for their choices, showing how repeated transgression hardens the heart and creates habits that become like unbreakable chains, making repentance and escape increasingly difficult without divine intervention.

* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")
* [John 8:34](/john/8-34 "John 8:34 - Jesus on Sin as Slavery")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 5:22 serves as a timeless and profoundly sobering warning for all who contemplate or are entangled in sin. It compels us to recognize that sin is not a trivial matter or a harmless indulgence, but a deceptive and insidious force that, while promising pleasure or freedom, ultimately leads to a self-made prison. The vivid imagery of "the cords of his sins" powerfully illustrates how seemingly small transgressions, when repeated and unaddressed, weave together to form strong bonds of habit, addiction, and spiritual blindness, making escape increasingly difficult. This verse calls us to profound introspection, urging us to consider the long-term ramifications of our choices and to understand that our actions have inherent consequences that will inevitably "take" and "hold" us. True liberty is found not in indulging fleeting desires but in aligning our lives with God's wisdom, which leads to genuine freedom, flourishing, and life, rather than the spiritual bondage described here. It challenges us to cultivate a keen awareness of the insidious nature of sin and to proactively seek righteousness, breaking free from any entanglements before they become unbreakable chains that dictate our destiny.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be unknowingly weaving "cords" that could eventually bind me, making escape difficult?**
* **How does understanding sin as a self-inflicted trap change my perception of personal responsibility and the need for vigilance?**
* **What specific steps can I take today to break free from any habits or patterns that are creating spiritual bondage in my life?**
* **How does the warning in this proverb motivate me to pursue wisdom and righteousness more diligently, recognizing the ultimate consequences of folly?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that all suffering is a direct result of personal sin?**

Answer: While Proverbs 5:22 strongly emphasizes the self-inflicted consequences of wickedness, it does not imply that all suffering or hardship is a direct result of personal sin. The Bible presents a complex view of suffering, acknowledging that it can arise from various sources, including living in a fallen world ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Creation Groans")), the sins of others, or even as a means of divine testing or refinement ([Job 23:10](/job/23-10 "Job 23:10 - God Refines Through Trial")). This proverb specifically addresses the natural, inherent outcome of a life characterized by "iniquities" and "sins," where the very actions of the wicked become their undoing. It focuses on the internal logic of sin's destructive power, rather than providing a comprehensive theology of suffering that accounts for all its complexities.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 5:22, with its stark depiction of humanity ensnared by the "cords of his sins," powerfully foreshadows the profound and desperate need for a divine deliverer. The wicked are "holden" by their own iniquities, trapped in a self-made prison from which there is no escape through human effort or will. This universal human condition of spiritual bondage finds its ultimate solution and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb of God who came to "take away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), not merely to forgive but to break the very bonds that hold us captive. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus bore the "iniquities" of humanity, becoming sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). He is the one prophesied to "proclaim liberty to the captives" and "release from darkness for the prisoners" ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). Where the cords of sin lead to death and spiritual bondage, Christ offers true freedom and eternal life, inviting all who are weary and heavy-laden to find rest in Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). He is the only one capable of severing the destructive "cords" of our past and empowering us to walk in newness of life, no longer enslaved to sin but alive to God ([Romans 6:11-14](/romans/6-11 "Romans 6:11-14 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ")).

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

Proverbs 1:31

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

Proverbs 1:32

For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

Proverbs 11:5

¶ The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Proverbs 1:18

And they lay wait for their [own] blood; they lurk privily for their [own] lives.

Psalms 9:15

The heathen are sunk down in the pit [that] they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.

Hosea 4:11

Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.

Hosea 4:14

I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people [that] doth not understand shall fall.