Proverbs 7:5

Pro 7:5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words.

Ver. 5. That they may keep thee.] The "wisdom from above" can and will preserve a man from hankering after strange flesh. The world’s wizards have been most of them tacked and tainted with this vice, and that by a just hand of God upon them, for the contempt of religion, {Rom 1:28} which is indeed the most excellent preservative. Hence, when the apostle had said, {1Ti 4:7} "exercise godliness," he adds, as a motive, "Godliness is profitable to all things," Pro 7:8. See further for this, Pro 23:26-27; Pro 2:16; Pro 6:23-24. {See Trapp on "Pro 23:26"} {See Trapp on "Pro 23:27"} {See Trapp on "Pro 2:16" {See Trapp on "Pro 6:23"} {See Trapp on "Pro 6:24"}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Pro_7:5

That they may keep thee from the strange woman.

Heavenly wisdom protective

I. Knowledge is a special means to keep us from wantonness.

1. By way of excellency. Wisdom is far more beautiful than the fairest strumpet in the world.

2. By her good counsel. Wisdom will advise thee for thy good.

3. By sweet and pleasant discourse far more pleasant to a pious heart than all the wanton songs in the world.

4. By arming thee against all objections. Keep in with knowledge, and thou shalt be sure to keep out of harlots paws.

II. The false woman is a stranger. Possibly in the sense of being a foreigner, and not considering herself in the control of our moral laws.

1. A stranger in regard to marriage. Then thou hast no right to her.

2. A stranger in regard to carriage. Thou canst not look for any good respect from her.

III. The false woman is a flatterer.

1. The difference between her words and her deeds prove it. She speaks like a friend, and acts like an enemy.

2. The difference between her first and her last words proves it. She will surely turn against thee when thy money is spent. She will sink thee with fair words. (Francis Taylor, B. D.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Pro 7:5. That they may keep thee from the strange woman — One reason why Solomon so often cautions his disciple in this manner, and inculcates upon him the important duty of shunning all acquaintance with lewd women, probably was because he observed those vices to abound more than they had formerly done in his time, in which peace and prosperity had made way for luxury and uncleanness.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

7:5 Loving wisdom will leave no room for a promiscuous woman, whose arsenal includes flattery that appeals to a young man’s vanity.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

The design of the teaching (compare Pro 2:16; Pro 6:24).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 5. The strange woman] The prostitute, the adulteress.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

5. strange woman … stranger] See Pro_2:16, note.

flattereth with] “Heb. maketh smooth her words,” R.V. marg.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That they may keep thee from the strange woman,.... Nothing has a greater tendency than Christ and his Gospel, and an intimate acquaintance with them, and a retention of them, to keep from all sin, from all fleshly lusts, from the sin of uncleanness; and also from all the errors, heresies, idolatry, superstition, and will worship, of the whore of Rome; a stranger to God and true godliness, to Christ and his truths, the Spirit and his operations;

from the stranger which flattereth with her words; See Gill on Pro 2:16; see Gill on Pro 5:3, and see Gill on Pro 6:24.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Thine. But another’s, ver. 19. Give thy heart to wisdom, that it may be guarded against impure love.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

This privilege Solomon doth so oft inculcate, either because he found in himself the great power and besotting nature of lustful inclinations: or because he observed these vices to abound more in his time, in which peace and prosperity made way for luxury and uncleanness.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

5. Keep (or guard) thee — This is the special reason why so much attention should be paid to wisdom and discernment.

Strange woman — The vile or voluptuous woman.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That they may keep thee from the strange woman. (see on Pro_2:16 Pro_6:24) When the heart is filled with the love of what is good, it is armed against the seductions of evil pleasure or whatever may entice the soul from God and duty. Septuagint, "That she (Wisdom) may keep thee from the strange and evil woman, if she should assail thee with gracious words."

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.