Proverbs 5:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 5:5 delivers a profound and stark warning within a father's instruction to his son, vividly illustrating the inevitable and dire consequences of succumbing to the allure of sexual immorality, particularly with the "strange woman" or adulteress. The verse powerfully depicts that the seemingly enticing path of illicit pleasure is, in reality, a deceptive descent into comprehensive destruction, culminating in spiritual, relational, and existential ruin. It underscores the insidious nature of sin, which promises fleeting delight but delivers pervasive death and separation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 5:5 is an integral and climactic statement within a larger, urgent discourse (Proverbs 5:1-23) where the father passionately warns his son against the "strange woman" (or adulteress). The preceding verses (Proverbs 5:3-4) establish her deceptive charm—"her lips drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil"—only to immediately contrast it with her ultimate, bitter outcome: "but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword." Verse 5 then directly follows, detailing the fatal trajectory of her path and, by extension, the path of anyone who follows her. The entire chapter functions as a sharp antithesis to the wisdom extolled elsewhere in Proverbs, presenting the destructive alternative to a life of purity, fidelity, and adherence to divine instruction. The warnings in this chapter are echoed throughout the book, particularly in [Proverbs 7](/proverbs/7 "Proverbs 7 - The Seduction of the Adulteress"), which provides an even more detailed narrative of seduction and its devastating consequences.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, fidelity within marriage was not merely a social custom but a cornerstone of societal and religious life, deeply rooted in the covenant relationship between God and His people. Adultery was considered a profound breach of this covenant, a grave sin often punishable by death (e.g., [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery")). The "strange woman" (Hebrew: *zarah* or *nokriyah*) often referred to an adulteress, prostitute, or a foreign woman whose practices might lead one astray from the Mosaic Law and the covenant community. The wisdom literature, like Proverbs, aimed to transmit practical and theological truths to young men entering society, preparing them for the moral challenges of life. The emphasis on avoiding such women was not only for personal purity but also for the preservation of family lineage, property, and the community's spiritual health. The patriarchal society placed an exceptionally high value on the integrity and purity of the family unit, and sexual immorality threatened its very foundation and the well-being of the entire community.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Proverbs. Firstly, it highlights the **consequences of choices**, emphasizing that actions, especially sinful ones, have inevitable and often severe repercussions. The path of the adulteress is explicitly shown to lead to ruin, contrasting sharply with the life-giving path of wisdom (e.g., [Proverbs 3:18](/proverbs/3-18 "Proverbs 3:18 - Wisdom as a Tree of Life")). Secondly, it underscores the **deceptive nature of sin**, which initially appears attractive ("smoother than oil") but ultimately delivers bitterness and death. This theme is pervasive throughout wisdom literature, warning against the subtle snares of temptation that promise freedom but lead to bondage. Thirdly, the verse speaks to the **importance of sexual purity and fidelity**, presenting them as foundational to a life of blessing, integrity, and flourishing, while immorality leads to a comprehensive "death"—not just physical, but also social, spiritual, and relational. This aligns with the broader call to guard one's heart above all else, as it is the wellspring of life ([Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **go down (Hebrew, _yârad'_):** This primitive root (H3381) means "to descend," "to go downwards," or "to fall." It powerfully portrays a downward trajectory, a decline or descent. When coupled with "death," it paints a vivid picture of an inevitable, irreversible movement towards a lower, more desolate state. It signifies not a mere stumble, but a directed, albeit destructive, progression.
* **death (Hebrew, _mâveth'_):** From the root "to die," this word (H4194) encompasses not just the physical cessation of life but also destruction, ruin, and the state of being dead. In Proverbs, "death" often signifies a comprehensive ruin—spiritual, social, relational, and ultimately, physical—as opposed to the "life" offered by wisdom. It implies a state of utter desolation and separation from blessing and flourishing.
* **hell (Hebrew, _shᵉʼôwl'_):** This term (H7585), often transliterated as "Sheol," refers to the grave or the realm of the dead in the Old Testament. It is a place of gloom, silence, and separation from the living. While not always equivalent to the New Testament concept of eternal punishment (Gehenna), in this context, it represents the ultimate, desolate consequence of a life lived apart from divine wisdom, leading to utter and irreversible ruin and separation from God's favor and blessing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Her feet go down to death":** This clause establishes the direction and inevitable destination of the "strange woman's" path. Her very movements, her chosen way of life, and her habitual actions are oriented towards "death," which here signifies comprehensive ruin—spiritual, moral, relational, and ultimately existential. It implies that her way of life is inherently destructive, leading not to flourishing but to decay and demise for herself and those who follow her.
* **"her steps take hold on hell":** This second clause intensifies the warning, emphasizing the certainty and firm grasp of the destructive outcome. "Her steps" (her deliberate actions, choices, and progression) are not merely approaching "hell" (Sheol, the realm of the dead or utter ruin) but are actively "taking hold" of it. This imagery suggests an increasing, almost irreversible entanglement, where the consequences become firmly fixed and difficult to escape, leading to a profound and lamentable end that is inescapable once fully embraced.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 5:5 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its urgent warning. **Personification** is evident in the portrayal of "death" and "hell" as destinations that one's "feet" and "steps" can actively "go down to" and "take hold on." This imbues abstract concepts with agency, making the consequences feel more tangible, immediate, and inescapable. The verse also utilizes **parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where the second line reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first ("Her feet go down to death" // "her steps take hold on hell"). This repetition reinforces the message of inevitable doom and the certainty of the destructive outcome. Furthermore, the language is rich in **metaphor**, using physical movement ("feet," "steps," "go down," "take hold") to describe a moral and spiritual trajectory. The "path" of the adulteress is a metaphor for a destructive lifestyle, and "death" and "hell" are metaphors for the ultimate, comprehensive ruin that results from such a life. The progression from "go down" to "take hold" also suggests a deepening, increasingly firm descent, adding to the chilling sense of inescapable doom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 5:5 profoundly connects to the broader biblical understanding of sin's consequences, particularly the concept that sin, while offering fleeting pleasure, ultimately leads to separation from God and spiritual death. It underscores the foundational principle that moral choices have eternal implications, echoing the pervasive biblical truth that there are two paths set before humanity: the way of wisdom leading to life, and the way of folly leading to destruction. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the deceptive nature of evil, which consistently masks its bitter end with attractive beginnings. The "death" and "hell" described are not merely physical but encompass a holistic ruin that impacts every dimension of human existence, mirroring the spiritual alienation and comprehensive brokenness that results from rebellion against divine wisdom and the covenant relationship with God.

* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin")
* [James 1:14-15](/james/1-14-15 "The Progression of Sin")
* [Matthew 7:13-14](/matthew/7-13-14 "The Narrow and Wide Gates")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 5:5 stands as a timeless and urgent call to vigilance, reminding us that the choices we make, especially in matters of purity, integrity, and sexual ethics, have profound and lasting consequences. It challenges us to look beyond the immediate, superficial allure of temptation and to soberly consider the ultimate, destructive destination of any path that deviates from God's wisdom and moral design. This verse compels us to cultivate self-control, to guard our hearts and minds against the seductive whispers of sin, and to actively pursue righteousness and fidelity in all areas of life. It teaches us that true freedom is found not in indulging every fleeting desire, but in adhering to the wise boundaries set by divine instruction, which alone leads to genuine life, flourishing, and lasting peace. For believers, it is a powerful impetus to live circumspectly, recognizing that even seemingly small compromises can set one on a dangerous trajectory towards spiritual, relational, and existential ruin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "smooth words" or deceptive promises does sin offer in our contemporary context, and how can we discern their true, destructive end?**
* **In what areas of my life am I most susceptible to taking "steps" that might lead me down a path of "death" or "hell" (i.e., comprehensive ruin or separation from God's best)?**
* **How can I proactively "take hold" of wisdom and righteousness, rather than allowing destructive patterns to take hold of me?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to "guard my heart" (Proverbs 4:23) against the subtle encroachments of temptation and the allure of destructive paths?**

### FAQ
**Does "hell" in Proverbs 5:5 refer to eternal conscious torment?**

Answer: In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word *Sheol* (H7585), translated as "hell" in the KJV, generally refers to the grave or the realm of the dead—a shadowy, silent place where all people, righteous and unrighteous, eventually go (e.g., [Job 14:13](/job/14-13 "Longing for Sheol")). It does not typically carry the full New Testament concept of Gehenna, which refers to a place of eternal conscious punishment for the wicked. However, in contexts like Proverbs 5:5, *Sheol* is used metaphorically and hyperbolically to signify utter ruin, destruction, and the complete desolation that results from a life of folly and sin. It represents a state of comprehensive demise—spiritual, social, and existential—which is the antithesis of the "life" offered by wisdom. While not explicitly defining eternal torment in the New Testament sense, it certainly points to a dreadful and irreversible end for those who persist in such a destructive path, signifying a complete loss of well-being and blessing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 5:5, with its stark warning against the path leading to "death" and "hell," finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "death" described in Proverbs is the comprehensive ruin and separation from God that is the universal wages of sin ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin")). Humanity, by its very nature, walks a path that "takes hold on hell," being born into spiritual deadness and destined for ultimate separation from God due to trespasses and sins ([Ephesians 2:1](/ephesians/2-1 "Dead in Trespasses and Sins")). However, Jesus Christ, the very embodiment of divine wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")), entered this world precisely to redirect humanity's fatal trajectory. He did not merely warn of death but courageously confronted and conquered it, descending into the realm of the dead (Sheol/Hades) and triumphing decisively over its power through His resurrection ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")). Through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Jesus offers a new path—the path of life—to all who believe in Him. He declares Himself to be "the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus the Way, Truth, and Life")), providing complete deliverance from the "death" and "hell" that Proverbs warns against, and leading His followers into abundant and eternal life in communion with God ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

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 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.