Proverbs 7:27

KJV

Her house [is] the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

KJV (with Strong's)

Her house {H1004} is the way {H1870} to hell {H7585}, going down {H3381} to the chambers {H2315} of death {H4194}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Her house is the way to Sh'ol; it leads down to the halls of death.

Berean Standard Bible

Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.

American Standard Version

Her house is the way to Sheol, Going down to the chambers of death.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 7:27 delivers a stark and climactic warning within a father's urgent discourse against the seductive and destructive influence of the "strange woman," personifying folly and sexual immorality. This verse unequivocally declares that the path offered by her alluring "house" is not one of pleasure or life, but a direct descent into the realm of the dead, leading to ultimate ruin and separation from God's blessings. It serves as a final, sobering pronouncement on the inevitable and comprehensive consequences of succumbing to such temptations, stripping away any deceptive facade of fleeting gratification to reveal the grim reality of spiritual and existential demise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 7:27 serves as the chilling conclusion to an extended didactic poem (Proverbs 7:6-27) in which a father vividly warns his son against the perils of the adulteress. The chapter meticulously details her cunning tactics, from her alluring attire and flattering words to her deceptive promises, painting a picture of a seemingly innocent encounter that swiftly entraps the naive. The preceding verses (Proverbs 7:22-23) depict the foolish young man, "void of understanding," being led "as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks," highlighting his blind progression towards destruction. Verse 27, therefore, functions as the climactic and sobering declaration of the inevitable destination of this ill-fated journey, leaving no ambiguity about the fatal outcome of embracing folly. It stands as the ultimate warning, underscoring the gravity of the choices presented throughout the book of Proverbs.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Proverbs, part of the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, was primarily designed to instruct young men in the principles of righteous living and societal success within the covenant community of Israel. In this cultural setting, the "strange woman" (often a foreign woman, a prostitute, or an adulteress) represented a significant threat to the social and spiritual fabric. Her "house" was not merely a physical dwelling but a symbol of her lifestyle, her values, and the sphere of influence she exerted—a counter-cultural force to the ordered, covenantal household. The concept of "the way" (Hebrew: _derek_) was a pervasive metaphor in ancient Israelite thought, signifying one's entire life course, moral conduct, or destiny. The stark contrast between the "way of the righteous" and the "way of the wicked" was a foundational ethical principle, making the warning in Proverbs 7:27 deeply resonant with the cultural understanding of moral pathways and their ultimate destinations.
* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 7:27 powerfully crystallizes several overarching themes found throughout the book of Proverbs. Firstly, it underscores the **Inevitable Consequences of Immorality**, emphasizing that engaging in sexual sin is not a trivial matter but has grave, life-altering, and ultimately fatal consequences. The "way" is a path with a definite, dreadful end, contrasting sharply with the [path of the righteous, which shines ever brighter](/proverbs/4-18 "Proverbs 4:18 - The Path of the Righteous"). Secondly, the verse highlights the reality of **Spiritual and Physical Death**. "Hell" (Sheol) and "chambers of death" signify not only physical demise but also spiritual separation, ruin, and exclusion from the blessings of God, a profound and comprehensive destruction that extends beyond the grave. This echoes warnings about the [bitter end of the strange woman's embrace](/proverbs/5-3 "Proverbs 5:3 - The Bitter End of the Strange Woman"). Finally, the verse exposes the **Deceptive Nature of Sin**. The "house" of the adulteress may appear inviting and pleasurable, but it is a cunning trap. Proverbs 7:27 strips away sin's pleasant facade, revealing its true, hidden nature and its devastating destination, serving as a stark reminder that [her guests are in the depths of Sheol](/proverbs/9-18 "Proverbs 9:18 - Folly's Guests in Sheol").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **House (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** This term (H1004) refers to a dwelling, but in this context, it extends beyond a mere physical structure. It symbolizes the entire sphere of influence, lifestyle, and moral environment associated with the "strange woman." It represents her domain, her values, and the destructive system she embodies. To enter her "house" is to adopt her way of life and embrace her corrupting influence, leading to the ruin of one's own "house" or lineage.
* **Way (Hebrew, _derek'_):** The word (H1870) signifies a road or path, but figuratively, it denotes a course of life, a mode of action, or one's destiny. The "way to hell" is not merely a direction but a chosen lifestyle and a series of actions that inevitably lead to a specific, dreadful outcome. It implies a progression and a definitive trajectory, emphasizing the active choice involved in following this destructive path.
* **Hell (Hebrew, _shᵉʼôwl'_):** This term (H7585), often translated as "Sheol," refers to the grave, the abode of the dead, or the underworld in the Old Testament. While not always synonymous with the New Testament concept of eternal punishment, in this context, it emphatically signifies utter destruction, finality, and separation from the living and from the blessings of God. It represents the ultimate consequence of a life lived apart from wisdom and righteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Her house [is] the way to hell":** This clause establishes a direct, causal link between the "house" (representing the lifestyle and influence) of the strange woman and "hell" (Sheol, the realm of the dead). The phrase "is the way" indicates that her domain is not merely adjacent to destruction but is the very path that leads directly into it. It implies that any engagement with her and her ways inherently sets one on a course toward spiritual and existential ruin, a journey from which there is no return.
* **"going down to the chambers of death":** This phrase intensifies the imagery of descent and comprehensive destruction. "Going down" (Hebrew: _yârad_) emphasizes a downward trajectory, a loss of status, vitality, and life itself. The "chambers of death" (Hebrew: _chadrei-mavet_) portrays death not as a single point but as a vast, inescapable dwelling with multiple rooms or compartments. This reinforces the idea of total engulfment and the inescapable nature of the ruin that awaits those who follow the strange woman, signifying a comprehensive and inescapable demise.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 7:27 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its urgent warning. **Metaphor** is central, as "her house" is not just a physical dwelling but a symbolic representation of the strange woman's entire sphere of influence, her seductive lifestyle, and the moral environment she creates. This "house" is then metaphorically equated with "the way to hell," directly linking her domain to ultimate destruction. **Symbolism** is also heavily at play, with "hell" (Sheol) and "chambers of death" symbolizing not only physical demise but also spiritual ruin, separation from God, and the comprehensive, inescapable nature of the consequences of sin. The phrase "going down" provides vivid **Imagery** of descent, emphasizing a downward spiral into a state of lifelessness and ruin. The cumulative effect of these devices is to create a stark, unvarnished portrayal of the finality and horror awaiting those who disregard wisdom's counsel, serving as a powerful deterrent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 7:27 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of sin and its inevitable consequences, echoing the biblical principle that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). It underscores that moral choices have eternal ramifications, presenting a binary worldview where paths lead either to life or to death. The "way to hell" signifies not merely physical cessation but a state of spiritual alienation and comprehensive ruin, a profound separation from the life and blessings that flow from God. This verse reminds us that sin, however alluring it may appear, is fundamentally destructive, leading to a profound loss of vitality, purpose, and ultimately, fellowship with the divine. It serves as a stark warning to pursue wisdom, which alone leads to true life and flourishing.

* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.")
* [Romans 6:21](/romans/6-21 "Romans 6:21 - The End of Those Things is Death")
* [Psalm 1:6](/psalm/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Wicked Shall Perish")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 7:27 serves as an enduring and vital warning for all generations, transcending its immediate context of sexual immorality to encompass any form of sin that promises pleasure but delivers destruction. It compels us to look beyond the immediate gratification or deceptive allure of temptation and to soberly consider its ultimate destination. For believers, this verse is a powerful call to cultivate radical discernment, recognizing that the enemy often disguises destructive paths with appealing facades. It reinforces the profound wisdom and protective nature of God's commands, particularly regarding purity and faithfulness, as they are designed to keep us from the "chambers of death"—spiritual, relational, and even physical ruin. Choosing the path of wisdom, which leads to life and peace, requires a steadfast commitment to biblical principles, a willingness to heed godly counsel, and a constant vigilance against the subtle snares of sin. Every choice, however small, contributes to a trajectory, and this verse reminds us that the path of sin, no matter how enticing, ultimately leads to a devastating and comprehensive end.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "houses" or alluring paths in contemporary society promise fulfillment but ultimately lead to spiritual or relational death?**
* **How does understanding the "inevitable consequences" of sin (as described in this verse) strengthen your resolve to pursue purity and wisdom?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be unknowingly "going down" a path that leads away from God's intended flourishing?**

### FAQ
**What does "hell" mean in Proverbs 7:27?**

Answer: In Proverbs 7:27, "hell" translates the Hebrew word _Sheol_ (H7585). In the Old Testament, Sheol generally refers to the grave or the abode of the dead, a subterranean realm to which all departed souls go. It is a place of silence and inactivity, a point of no return from the earthly realm. While it doesn't carry the full New Testament concept of eternal conscious torment (Gehenna), in this context, it emphatically signifies utter destruction, finality, and separation from the living and from the blessings of God. It emphasizes the complete and irreversible ruin that awaits those who follow the path of folly and immorality. The "way to Sheol" is a path to the cessation of true life and flourishing.

**What are the "chambers of death"?**

Answer: The phrase "chambers of death" (Hebrew: _chadrei-mavet_, H2315 and H4194) intensifies the imagery of destruction and finality. "Chambers" (Hebrew: _cheder_) refers to inner rooms or private apartments, suggesting an inescapable, enclosed space. When combined with "death" (Hebrew: _maveth_), it portrays death not as a single, quick event but as a vast, inescapable dwelling with many rooms, into which one descends. This emphasizes the comprehensive, pervasive, and inescapable nature of the ruin that awaits those who choose the path of the strange woman. It signifies a complete engulfment by death, affecting every aspect of one's being and future, leaving no escape or reprieve. It underlines the severity of the warning that the [wages of sin is death](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death").

**Is this warning only about sexual immorality?**

Answer: While Proverbs 7 specifically focuses on the perils of sexual immorality personified by the "strange woman," the wisdom literature often uses specific examples to illustrate broader principles. The "way to hell" and "chambers of death" can be understood as the ultimate outcome of any path of folly, disobedience, or rejection of God's wisdom. The book of Proverbs frequently contrasts the "way of wisdom" with the "way of folly," and all forms of sin ultimately lead to a destructive end, whether it be through pride, greed, laziness, or injustice. Therefore, while the immediate context is sexual sin, the underlying principle applies to any choice that leads one away from God's life-giving truth and into spiritual ruin. The [path of the wicked leads to destruction](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - The Way of Death").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 7:27, with its stark warning of a "way to hell, going down to the chambers of death," finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's "way to death" is ultimately the path of sin and separation from God, a path that all humanity walks apart from divine intervention, for [all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned"). Jesus, however, declares Himself to be [the Way, the Truth, and the Life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life"), offering the only escape from the downward spiral into the "chambers of death." Where the strange woman's house leads to ruin, Christ's invitation leads to abundant and eternal life. His sacrifice on the cross conquered the power of sin and death, breaking the chains that bind humanity to the "chambers of death." Through faith in Him, believers are delivered from the dominion of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of His beloved Son, where there is [no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus"). He is the ultimate wisdom who rescues us from folly's deadly embrace, offering not a deceptive house of pleasure but a secure dwelling place in His eternal kingdom, where death has lost its sting and [the last enemy to be destroyed is death](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - Death, the Last Enemy").

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 5:5

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

Proverbs 9:18

But he knoweth not that the dead [are] there; [and that] her guests [are] in the depths of hell.

Revelation 22:15

For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

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.

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.