Proverbs 6:24

KJV

To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

KJV (with Strong's)

To keep {H8104} thee from the evil {H7451} woman {H802}, from the flattery {H2513} of the tongue {H3956} of a strange woman {H5237}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They keep you from an evil woman, from a loose woman's seductive tongue.

Berean Standard Bible

to keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.

American Standard Version

To keep thee from the evil woman, From the flattery of the foreigner’s tongue.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 6:24 functions as a critical paternal warning, urging a son to embrace wisdom as a safeguard against the perilous enticements of the "evil woman" or "strange woman." The verse specifically highlights the insidious danger posed by her deceptive and alluring speech, characterized as "flattery of the tongue," which is designed to ensnare and lead individuals into moral and spiritual ruin. This admonition is a cornerstone within the broader wisdom literature of Proverbs, underscoring the protective power derived from adherence to divine instruction in navigating life's profound moral hazards.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 6 is situated within the initial collection of paternal instructions (Proverbs 1-9), where wisdom is personified as a virtuous guide, often contrasted with folly, frequently embodied by the "strange woman." This specific verse, [Proverbs 6:24](/proverbs/6-24 "Proverbs 6:24 - Warning Against the Strange Woman"), serves as a direct and urgent warning, building upon previous admonitions against various pitfalls such as surety, laziness, and malicious falsehood. It introduces the pervasive theme of sexual immorality, which is further elaborated upon in the subsequent verses of [Proverbs 6](/proverbs/6 "Proverbs 6 - Warnings Against Immorality and Other Vices") and extensively throughout [Proverbs 7](/proverbs/7 "Proverbs 7 - The Allure and Danger of the Adulteress"). The father's urgent tone and vivid imagery throughout these chapters underscore the severe, life-altering consequences of succumbing to such temptations, framing the "strange woman" as a primary antagonist to the pursuit of wisdom and righteousness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, the sanctity of the family unit, the purity of lineage, and the preservation of covenant integrity were paramount. Adultery was not merely a personal sin but a grave offense against the community, the family, and God's covenant, often punishable by death, as stipulated in the Mosaic Law (see [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery")). The "strange woman" (Hebrew: *nokriyah*) could literally refer to a foreign woman, but more profoundly, in the context of Proverbs, she signifies an outsider to the covenant community's moral and social norms, particularly an adulteress or prostitute. Her "flattery" was a common tactic of seduction, leveraging smooth words and promises of illicit pleasure to lure men away from their wives and responsibilities. The warnings in Proverbs reflect the very real dangers posed by such individuals to the social fabric and individual well-being within a patriarchal society where male sexual purity, though often less stringently enforced than female, was nonetheless expected.

* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 6:24 directly contributes to several overarching themes pervasive throughout the book. Firstly, it highlights the **danger of seductive speech**, emphasizing that sin often entices through deceptive words rather than overt force. This contrasts sharply with the "words of wisdom" that are presented as life-giving and protective throughout the book. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **moral discernment**, urging the recipient of wisdom to distinguish between divine truth and alluring falsehoods. Thirdly, it reinforces the **importance of sexual purity and marital fidelity**, presenting the "strange woman" as a direct and existential threat to the sanctity of marriage and the well-being of the individual. This theme is central to the book's practical ethics, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 5](/proverbs/5 "Proverbs 5 - Warnings Against Immorality") and [Proverbs 7](/proverbs/7 "Proverbs 7 - The Allure and Danger of the Adulteress"), which vividly depict the destructive path of immorality and its ultimate consequences.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** (H7451) This term denotes something bad or evil, encompassing both natural calamity and profound moral wickedness. In the context of "evil woman," it signifies her inherently corrupt character and the destructive nature of her influence. It speaks to a deep moral depravity that stands in stark opposition to the righteous path of wisdom and integrity.
* **flattery (Hebrew, _chelqâh'_):** (H2513) Derived from a root meaning "smoothness," this word refers to speech that is smooth, enticing, and often deceptive. It highlights the subtle, persuasive, and insincere nature of the "strange woman's" words, which are meticulously designed to disarm and lure her victim into sin rather than to convey truth or genuine affection.
* **strange woman (Hebrew, _nokrîy'_):** (H5237) Literally meaning "foreigner" or "outsider," this term takes on a specific moral connotation in Proverbs. While it can refer to a non-Israelite, its primary use here is to describe an adulteress or harlot—a woman who is outside the bounds of covenantal fidelity and proper social order. She is "strange" because she threatens the sacred institution of marriage and represents a profound departure from the path of righteousness and communal well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To keep thee from the evil woman":** This opening clause articulates the primary purpose of the wisdom imparted by the father: protection. The "evil woman" is explicitly identified as a profound source of moral danger, her character being inherently corrupt and her influence undeniably destructive. The wisdom of Proverbs is presented as an indispensable shield, guarding the individual from her harmful and ruinous ways.
* **"from the flattery of the tongue":** This phrase precisely specifies the primary method by which the "evil woman" operates. Her "flattery" refers to smooth, enticing, and deeply deceptive speech. It is not brute force or overt coercion, but rather cunning words and alluring promises that she employs to seduce. This highlights the insidious and subtle nature of temptation, which often appeals through deceptive promises and captivating, yet ultimately hollow, language.
* **"of a strange woman":** This phrase further identifies and reinforces the identity of the dangerous individual, providing a more specific descriptor. The "strange woman" is not necessarily a literal foreigner, but rather one who exists outside the bounds of proper, covenantal relationships—an adulteress or prostitute. She represents a moral and social anomaly, a direct threat to the sanctity of the family and the well-being of the community, whose alluring path inevitably leads to deviation from the path of righteousness and life.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 6:24 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its urgent and vital warning. **Parallelism** is prominently evident in the dual description of the dangerous individual as "the evil woman" and "a strange woman." This repetition, through synonymous or complementary terms, powerfully reinforces the pervasive and multifaceted nature of the threat. Furthermore, **Metonymy** is skillfully used with the phrase "flattery of the tongue," where "tongue" stands in for the speech itself, highlighting the specific instrument of deception. This device draws keen attention to the particular medium through which the seduction occurs. The verse also implicitly uses **Personification**, as wisdom (and by extension, the father's instruction) is presented as an active, vigilant guardian, capable of "keeping" the son from harm, while the "strange woman" is personified as an active, cunning, and destructive agent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse deeply connects with the broader biblical theology of wisdom as a protective force against moral corruption and spiritual compromise. It underscores the divine imperative for purity and fidelity, reflecting God's original design for human relationships and the sacred sanctity of marriage. The "strange woman" serves as a powerful archetype for all forms of temptation and spiritual idolatry that lure one away from God's path, emphasizing that true wisdom involves not only knowing what is right but actively and resolutely avoiding what is wrong. The warning against her "flattery" highlights the deceptive nature of sin, which often presents itself as appealing or beneficial, yet ultimately leads to profound destruction and spiritual death. This theme resonates profoundly with the call to spiritual discernment found throughout Scripture, urging believers to test spirits and words, ensuring they align unequivocally with divine truth.

* [Proverbs 2:16-19](/proverbs/2-16-19 "Proverbs 2:16-19 - Wisdom Delivers from the Adulteress")
* [Proverbs 7:26-27](/proverbs/7-26-27 "Proverbs 7:26-27 - The Destructive Path of the Adulteress")
* [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Beware of False Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 6:24 offers timeless wisdom for navigating the profound moral complexities of life, urging us to cultivate a keen and unwavering spiritual discernment. In a world saturated with appealing but ultimately destructive messages, this verse calls us to diligently guard our hearts and minds against all forms of seductive influences, whether they manifest as illicit relationships, deceptive ideologies, or the subtle allure of worldly promises. It powerfully reminds us that temptation often comes cloaked in pleasant words and smooth proposals, making it imperative to filter all input through the unyielding lens of God's unchanging truth and moral standards. For individuals, it reinforces the crucial call to sexual purity and marital fidelity, recognizing the profound and far-reaching damage that immorality inflicts on one's soul, relationships, and standing before God. For communities and the church, it highlights the indispensable importance of upholding clear moral boundaries and teaching sound doctrine to protect against spiritual and social decay.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do "flattery of the tongue" and deceptive words manifest in our contemporary society, beyond just overt sexual temptation?**
* **What practical and spiritual steps can we take to cultivate the discernment necessary to identify and resist alluring but ultimately destructive influences in our lives?**
* **In what specific ways does embracing and living by God's wisdom serve as our ultimate protection against the "evil" or "strange" forces that relentlessly seek to lead us astray from His path?**

### FAQ
**What does "strange woman" mean in Proverbs?**

Answer: In the book of Proverbs, the term "strange woman" (Hebrew: *nokrîyâh*) primarily refers not necessarily to a woman from a foreign land, but to an adulteress, a harlot, or any woman who is outside the bounds of a man's legitimate marital relationship. She is "strange" because she represents a moral and social anomaly, a profound threat to the established covenant order, family integrity, and individual purity. She embodies folly and leads to destruction, contrasting sharply with the virtuous wife and personified Wisdom. The warnings against her are central to the father's counsel to his son to preserve his life and legacy, as vividly depicted in passages like [Proverbs 5:3-5](/proverbs/5-3-5 "Proverbs 5:3-5 - The Bitter End of the Adulteress").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Proverbs 6:24 directly warns against the literal "strange woman" and her seductive flattery, its deeper Christ-centered fulfillment lies in how Jesus Christ Himself protects His people from all forms of spiritual adultery and the deceptive allure of the world. The "evil woman" can be seen as a powerful type of the world system, false teachings, or spiritual idolatry that relentlessly entice believers away from their covenant fidelity to God. Just as the father's wisdom protects the son, Christ, as the very embodiment of divine wisdom and the power of God (see [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")), guards His church from the "flattery of the tongue" of false prophets and deceptive spirits (compare [2 Corinthians 11:3](/2_corinthians/11-3 "2 Corinthians 11:3 - Deceived by Cunning")). He is the true Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, ensuring they do not stray into destructive paths and that no one can snatch them out of His hand (see [John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - Christ's Protection of His Sheep")). Through His perfect sacrifice on the cross, He has purified a people for Himself, making them His holy and spotless bride, thereby fulfilling the ultimate protection from all "strange" and defiling influences that seek to draw us away from our spiritual fidelity and devotion to Him (as seen in [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")).

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 2:16

To deliver thee from the strange woman, [even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words;

Proverbs 5:3

For the lips of a strange woman drop [as] an honeycomb, and her mouth [is] smoother than oil:

Proverbs 7:5

That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words.

Ecclesiastes 7:26

And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart [is] snares and nets, [and] her hands [as] bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.