Proverbs 6:32

[But] whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he [that] doeth it destroyeth his own soul.

But whoso committeth adultery {H5003} with a woman {H802} lacketh {H2638} understanding {H3820}: he that doeth {H6213} it destroyeth {H7843} his own soul {H5315}.

He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.

He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.

He that committeth adultery with a woman is void of understanding: He doeth it who would destroy his own soul.

Proverbs 6:32 delivers a stark warning against the destructive nature of adultery, emphasizing its profound negative impact on the one who commits it. This verse is part of a larger section in Proverbs (chapters 5-7) where a father instructs his son on the dangers of sexual immorality, portraying it as a path to ruin.

Context

This verse concludes a vivid and extended warning in Proverbs 6 against the allure and peril of the adulterous woman. The preceding verses detail how such an act threatens a man's livelihood, reputation, and even his life through the vengeance of an enraged husband (see Proverbs 6:34-35). The book of Proverbs, part of the Old Testament's wisdom literature, consistently presents a binary choice between wisdom (leading to life and prosperity) and folly (leading to destruction and death). Adultery is unequivocally placed in the category of folly, a direct contradiction to the path of wisdom advocated throughout the book.

Key Themes

  • Lack of Understanding: The phrase "lacketh understanding" highlights that committing adultery is not merely a moral transgression but a profound failure of judgment and discernment. It signifies a spiritual blindness that prevents one from seeing the inevitable, devastating consequences of such an act. True wisdom, according to Proverbs, guides one away from such destructive choices.
  • Self-Destruction: The core message is that the adulterer "destroyeth his own soul." This speaks to a comprehensive ruin that extends beyond immediate consequences. It encompasses damage to one's character, reputation, relationships, spiritual well-being, and future prospects. It implies a self-inflicted wound that undermines the very essence of one's being.
  • Consequences of Sin: The verse powerfully reinforces the biblical principle that sinful actions carry inherent, severe consequences. Adultery is not a victimless crime; it primarily harms the perpetrator in ways that may not be immediately apparent but are ultimately unavoidable.
  • Sanctity of Marriage: By strongly condemning adultery, the verse implicitly upholds the sanctity and importance of the marital covenant, which is foundational to societal order and individual well-being. The commandment against adultery (Exodus 20:14) is a cornerstone of God's moral law.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "lacketh understanding" is chaser lev (חסר לב), literally meaning "lacking a heart." In biblical Hebrew, the "heart" (lev) is not just the seat of emotions but also the center of one's intellect, will, and moral discernment. So, one who "lacks a heart" is deficient in sound judgment, moral insight, and the ability to foresee consequences. It's a profound spiritual and intellectual deficiency.

The phrase "destroyeth his own soul" comes from the Hebrew mashchit naphsho (משחית נפשו). Naphsho refers to the "soul," "life," "person," or "self." Mashchit means to ruin, corrupt, or destroy. This emphasizes that the destruction is comprehensive, affecting every aspect of the individual's life and being, not just external circumstances. It's a self-inflicted wound that corrupts one's very essence.

Practical Application

Proverbs 6:32 remains profoundly relevant today. In a world that often normalizes or trivializes sexual promiscuity, this verse serves as a timeless reminder of the devastating personal cost of infidelity. It calls believers to embrace sexual purity and to honor the covenant of marriage. Understanding that adultery is an act of profound foolishness, leading to self-destruction, should motivate individuals to guard their hearts and minds, choosing the path of wisdom and integrity. The warning here underscores the importance of self-control and the long-term consequences of choices, encouraging a life aligned with God's design for relationships and personal wholeness, as echoed in the New Testament warnings against fleeing sexual immorality.

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 7:7

    And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

  • Hebrews 13:4

    Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

  • Proverbs 7:22

    He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

  • Proverbs 7:23

    Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it [is] for his life.

  • Romans 1:22

    Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

  • Romans 1:24

    Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

  • Genesis 39:9

    [There is] none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou [art] his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back