Proverbs 5:6

KJV

Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, [that] thou canst not know [them].

KJV (with Strong's)

Lest thou shouldest ponder {H6424} the path {H734} of life {H2416}, her ways {H4570} are moveable {H5128}, that thou canst not know {H3045} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

she doesn't walk the level path of life -her course wanders all over, but she doesn't know it.

Berean Standard Bible

She does not consider the path of life; she does not know that her ways are unstable.

American Standard Version

So that she findeth not the level path of life: Her ways are unstable, andshe knoweth it not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 5:6 serves as a stark warning within a father's instruction to his son, cautioning against the seductive and ultimately destructive influence of the adulterous woman. The verse reveals that her allure is so potent and her methods so deceptive that they prevent one from carefully considering the true "path of life." Her "ways" are characterized by instability and unpredictability, designed to obscure the dire consequences of following her, thus rendering the path to ruin unknowable until it is too late.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 5:6 is nestled within a larger discourse (Proverbs 5-7) where the father-teacher repeatedly warns his son against the "strange woman" or "adulteress." This section immediately follows a general exhortation to embrace wisdom and discernment (Proverbs 4). The preceding verses in [Proverbs 5](/proverbs/5 "Proverbs 5 - Warning Against Adultery") describe the initial sweetness of her words, which quickly turn to bitterness and a sharp sword, leading to death and Sheol (Proverbs 5:3-5). Verse 6 specifically details *how* her deceptive nature operates, making it impossible for her victim to perceive the true danger until they are ensnared. The subsequent verses continue to urge the son to keep far from her and to remain faithful to his own wife (Proverbs 5:7-23).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, fidelity within marriage was a cornerstone of societal and religious order, deeply rooted in the covenant relationship with God. Adultery was not merely a personal failing but a societal threat, undermining family structures, inheritance, and community stability. The "strange woman" (often a foreign woman or one who operates outside the established social norms and moral boundaries) represents a grave danger to the young man's future, reputation, and spiritual well-being. Her "ways" reflect a common ancient understanding of deceitful practices, where the path to destruction was often cloaked in temporary pleasure or false promises, making it difficult for the naive or undiscerning to recognize the true trajectory.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Proverbs. It highlights the stark contrast between **wisdom and folly**, where wisdom leads to the "path of life" and folly (embodied by the adulteress) leads to destruction. It underscores the critical importance of **discernment**; the inability to "ponder" or "know" her ways is a failure of wise judgment. The theme of **consequences** is central, as the verse implies that the hidden nature of her path ensures the victim walks unknowingly into ruin. Finally, the imagery of "path" or "way" is a pervasive metaphor in Proverbs, representing one's moral and spiritual journey, emphasizing that every choice has a direction and a destination, as seen in the [two ways presented in Psalm 1](/psalms/1 "Psalm 1 - The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked"). The father's urgent warnings throughout [Proverbs](/proverbs "The Book of Proverbs - Wisdom for Life") are designed to guide the son onto the path of righteousness and away from the destructive paths of sin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **ponder (Hebrew, _pâlaç'_):** H6424 - This primitive root means "to roll flat," "to prepare (a road)," or "to revolve, i.e., weigh (mentally)." In this context, it signifies a careful, deliberate consideration, a mental weighing of choices and consequences. The warning is that the seductress's influence prevents one from soberly evaluating the direction of their life.
* **life (Hebrew, _chay'_):** H2416 - Derived from the root "to live," this word encompasses not just physical existence but also vitality, well-being, prosperity, and the fullness of a flourishing existence. The "path of life" is the way that leads to true, abundant, and blessed living, in contrast to the path of the adulteress which leads to spiritual and physical death.
* **moveable (Hebrew, _nûwaʻ'_):** H5128 - A primitive root meaning "to waver," "to shake," "to wander," or "to reel." This term vividly describes the unstable, erratic, and treacherous nature of the adulteress's methods and the path she offers. Her ways are not fixed by moral principles but shift deceptively to ensnare, making them unreliable and dangerous.
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** H3045 - A primitive root meaning "to know" (properly, to ascertain by seeing), used in a wide variety of senses including observation, care, recognition, and comprehension. Here, it implies an inability to fully grasp or understand the true nature and ultimate destination of her ways due to their deceptive and shifting character.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life,"**: This opening clause sets up the negative consequence the father wishes to avert. The son is urged to maintain the capacity for careful, deliberate thought and evaluation concerning the "path of life"—the way of wisdom, righteousness, and true well-being. The implication is that without such pondering, one is vulnerable to deviation.
* **"her ways are moveable,"**: This is the core reason for the danger. The "her" refers to the adulterous woman. Her "ways" (her methods, her conduct, the path she leads one down) are characterized by instability, shifting tactics, and a lack of fixed moral direction. They are not straightforward or predictable, making them inherently deceptive.
* **"[that] thou canst not know [them]."**: This final clause states the direct result of her "moveable" ways. Because her path is unstable and deceptive, the one following her is unable to fully comprehend or discern its true nature and ultimate destination. This "unknowing" is not merely ignorance but a profound inability to perceive the hidden dangers and devastating consequences until it is too late.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 5:6 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its urgent warning. **Personification** is evident in the portrayal of "her ways," giving the abstract concept of the adulteress's conduct a tangible, almost living quality that actively works to deceive. The central **Metaphor** is that of the "path" or "way," representing one's life choices and moral trajectory. The "path of life" contrasts sharply with the "moveable ways" of the adulteress, which are implicitly a path to death. **Contrast** is thus a key device, highlighting the difference between the stable, knowable path of wisdom and the unstable, unknowable path of folly. The verse also functions as a powerful **Warning**, utilizing a conditional clause ("Lest thou shouldest...") to impress upon the listener the dire consequences of failing to heed the instruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the biblical principle that sin, particularly sexual immorality, is inherently deceptive and leads to unforeseen destruction. It underscores the vital role of discernment, a key aspect of biblical wisdom, in navigating life's moral landscape. The "path of life" is not merely a metaphor for physical existence but for a life lived in accordance with God's design, characterized by righteousness, peace, and flourishing. The inability to "know" the adulteress's ways speaks to the spiritual blindness that sin induces, preventing one from seeing the true nature of their choices and their ultimate destination. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that sin promises freedom but delivers slavery, promising pleasure but delivering pain and death.

* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - A Way That Seems Right")
* [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitful Heart")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 5:6 is a timeless reminder that not all paths that appear appealing lead to good destinations. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of constant discernment, to "ponder the path of life" with intentionality and wisdom. In a world saturated with fleeting pleasures and deceptive promises, this verse calls us to examine the true nature of the influences we allow into our lives, whether they be relationships, media, or ideologies. Are we carefully weighing the long-term consequences of our choices, or are we being swayed by "moveable ways" that obscure the truth? The warning extends beyond sexual sin to any area where a lack of fixed moral principles or a pursuit of immediate gratification blinds us to the ultimate, destructive outcome. It compels us to seek clarity, stability, and truth, anchoring our lives in principles that are unmoving, rather than being tossed about by every shifting current.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "moveable ways" or deceptive influences in my life might be preventing me from "pondering the path of life" God intends for me?**
* **How can I cultivate greater discernment to recognize paths that appear appealing but ultimately lead to ruin?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be unknowingly walking into consequences because I have not truly "known" the nature of the path I am on?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my "path of life" is firmly anchored in God's wisdom and truth?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to "ponder the path of life"?**

Answer: To "ponder the path of life" means to carefully and deliberately consider one's moral and spiritual direction. The Hebrew word `pâlaç` (H6424) suggests weighing, leveling, or making a path straight. It implies a thoughtful, intentional evaluation of choices and their long-term consequences, ensuring one's life aligns with wisdom and righteousness, which lead to true flourishing and well-being. This is in contrast to simply drifting or being led astray by external influences.

**Why are "her ways moveable, [that] thou canst not know [them]"?**

Answer: The "her" refers to the adulterous woman, personifying the dangers of sexual immorality and folly. Her "ways" are described as `nûwaʻ` (H5128), meaning unstable, wavering, or wandering. This signifies that her methods are not based on fixed moral principles but are deceptive, shifting, and unpredictable. Because they lack a consistent, truthful foundation, their true nature and ultimate destructive destination are obscured from the victim, making it impossible to `yâdaʻ` (H3045) or fully comprehend them until it is too late. This highlights the inherent deceitfulness of sin, which hides its true cost.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 5:6, with its warning against deceptive paths, finds profound fulfillment and illumination in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the proverb warns against the "moveable ways" of the adulteress, Christ presents Himself as the **unwavering and true "Path of Life."** He declared, "[I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")" (John 14:6). Unlike the shifting, unknowable ways of sin that lead to destruction, Jesus offers a clear, stable, and knowable path to eternal life and genuine flourishing. He is the embodiment of divine wisdom, through whom "[are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")" (Colossians 2:3). Where the adulteress blinds one to the true consequences, Christ brings light and revelation, enabling us to discern between good and evil, truth and deception. He liberates us from the slavery of sin and its hidden dangers, guiding us onto the "narrow gate" and the "[path that leads to life](/matthew/7-14 "Matthew 7:14 - The Narrow Gate")" (Matthew 7:14), a path fully known and secured by His perfect sacrifice and resurrection. In Him, we find not only the wisdom to ponder the true path but also the power to walk in it, free from the deceptive allure of 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 4:26

Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

Psalms 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

Proverbs 30:20

Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

Proverbs 5:21

For the ways of man [are] before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

Psalms 119:59

¶ I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

Proverbs 11:19

¶ As righteousness [tendeth] to life: so he that pursueth evil [pursueth it] to his own death.

2 Thessalonians 2:9

[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,