Proverbs 5:5

Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

Her feet {H7272} go down {H3381} to death {H4194}; her steps {H6806} take hold {H8551} on hell {H7585}.

Her feet go down to death, her steps lead straight to Sh'ol;

Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to Sheol.

Her feet go down to death; Her steps take hold on Sheol;

Context of Proverbs 5:5

Proverbs 5:5 is a solemn warning from a father to his son about the perils of sexual immorality, specifically concerning the "strange woman" or adulteress. The entire chapter of Proverbs 5 serves as a stark contrast between the fleeting allure of illicit pleasure and its devastating, long-term consequences. Verses 3-4 describe her smooth, flattering words and the bitter, sharp end that follows. Verse 5 intensifies this warning, detailing the fatal destination of those who fall prey to her seduction, emphasizing that her enticing path inevitably leads to ruin.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Destructive Path of Immorality: This verse vividly portrays the severe and inescapable outcomes of straying from God's wisdom in matters of purity. It highlights that the choices made in sin are not isolated incidents but steps on a path leading to ultimate destruction.
  • Spiritual and Physical Consequences: "Death" and "hell" (Sheol) here signify comprehensive ruin. This isn't just about physical demise, but also the death of relationships, reputation, spiritual vitality, and ultimately, a dreadful end in the grave or the realm of the dead. The smooth words of the adulteress belie the destructive path of the adulteress.
  • Inescapable Grip: The phrase "her steps take hold on hell" implies a firm, almost inescapable grip that the consequences of immorality exert. Once one embarks on this path, it becomes increasingly difficult to turn back, leading to a profound and lamentable end.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "go down to death" and "take hold on hell" uses powerful imagery. The Hebrew word for "death" is mavet (מָוֶת), signifying not just the cessation of life but also destruction and ruin. The term translated "hell" is Sheol (שְׁאוֹל), which in the Old Testament refers to the grave or the realm of the dead. It's often associated with gloom, silence, and separation from the living. While not always carrying the New Testament concept of eternal punishment (Gehenna), in this context, Sheol represents the ultimate, desolate consequence of a life lived apart from divine wisdom, leading to utter and irreversible ruin. The progression from "feet go down" to "steps take hold" emphasizes the deliberate and increasingly firm descent into destruction.

Practical Application

Proverbs 5:5 serves as a timeless warning for all generations. It underscores the importance of guarding one's heart and mind against temptations that promise fleeting pleasure but deliver lasting pain. This verse calls believers to:

  • Exercise Self-Control: Recognize that seemingly small deviations from purity can lead to significant, destructive consequences.
  • Seek Wisdom: Actively pursue and apply God's wisdom, which provides clear boundaries and guidance for a life of integrity and blessing. This wisdom is a stark contrast to the deceitful allure of sin.
  • Understand Consequences: Be mindful that sinful choices have real, often dire, repercussions, impacting not only the individual but also relationships and one's spiritual standing. This aligns with the ultimate consequences of sin, as highlighted in Romans 6:23.
  • Choose the Right Path: Deliberately choose the path of righteousness and obedience, which leads to life and peace, rather than the path of immorality that leads to death and ruin.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • Proverbs 7:27

    Her house [is] the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
  • Proverbs 2:18

    For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
  • Proverbs 2:19

    None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

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