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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If you do, you will lose your honor and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />lest you concede your vigor to others, and your years to one who is cruel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Lest you give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel <i>one;</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Otherwise you will give your vigor to others, And your years to the cruel one;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Or you will give your vigor to others And your years to the cruel one;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Lest you give your vigor to others, And your years to the cruel one;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Lest you give your splendor to others And your years to the cruel one;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Or you will give your honor to others, And your years to the cruel one,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Otherwise, you will give up your vitality to others and your years to someone cruel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Otherwise, you will give up your vitality to others and your years to someone cruel; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Lest thou give thine honor unto others, And thy years unto the cruel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You will lose your self-respect and end up in debt to some cruel person for the rest of your life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Either you will surrender your reputation to others and [the rest of] your years to some cruel person,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If you do, others will gain the respect that you once had, and you will die young at the hands of merciless people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />so that you don't give your honor to others, and waste your best years; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />lest you concede your vigor to others, and your years to one who is cruel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />lest you give your vigor to others and your years to a cruel person, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the merciless;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Lest thou give thy honor to others, and thy years to the cruel:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel one; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Lest you give your splendor to others, "" And your years to the fierce,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Lest thou give to others thy honour, And thy years to the fierce,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Lest thou shalt give thy strength to others, and thy years to the cruel:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Give not thy honour to strangers, and thy years to the cruel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Do not give your honor to foreigners, and your years to the cruel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Lest you give your honor to others, and your years to a merciless one; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />or you will give your honor to others, and your years to the merciless,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Lest you give your strength to others, and your years to the cruel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Lest you give others your power and your years to those who are merciless<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Lest thou give thy vigour unto others, And thy years unto the cruel;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />lest thou give away thy life to others, and thy substance to the merciless:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/5-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=803" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/5.htm">Avoiding Immorality</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>Keep your path far from her; do not go near the door of her house, <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">lest</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tit·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">you concede</a> <a href="/hebrew/1935.htm" title="1935: hō·w·ḏe·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Splendor, majesty, vigor. From an unused root; grandeur.">your vigor</a> <a href="/hebrew/312.htm" title="312: la·’ă·ḥê·rîm (Prep-l:: Adj-mp) -- Another. From 'achar; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.">to others,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: ū·šə·nō·ṯe·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-fpc:: 2ms) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">and your years</a> <a href="/hebrew/394.htm" title="394: lə·’aḵ·zā·rî (Prep-l:: Adj-ms) -- Cruel. From 'akzar; terrible.">to one who is cruel;</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich the house of a foreigner.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-26.htm">Proverbs 6:26</a></span><br />For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/7-26.htm">Proverbs 7:26-27</a></span><br />For she has brought many down to death; her slain are many in number. / Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26</a></span><br />And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/2-18.htm">Proverbs 2:18-19</a></span><br />For her house sinks down to death, and her tracks to the departed spirits. / None who go to her return or negotiate the paths of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-27.htm">Proverbs 23:27-28</a></span><br />For a prostitute is a deep pit, and an adulteress is a narrow well. / Like a robber she lies in wait and multiplies the faithless among men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/9-18.htm">Proverbs 9:18</a></span><br />But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-14.htm">Proverbs 22:14</a></span><br />The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/7-22.htm">Proverbs 7:22-23</a></span><br />He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap, / until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare—not knowing it will cost him his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/7-6.htm">Proverbs 7:6-23</a></span><br />For at the window of my house I looked through the lattice. / I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment, / crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/9-13.htm">Proverbs 9:13-18</a></span><br />The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing. / She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city, / calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-18.htm">1 Corinthians 6:18</a></span><br />Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3-5</a></span><br />For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a></span><br />Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/5-9.htm">1 Corinthians 5:9-11</a></span><br />I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. / I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. / But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-3.htm">Ephesians 5:3-5</a></span><br />But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. / Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. / For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-29.htm">Proverbs 6:29-35</a></b></br> So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/38-23.htm">Genesis 38:23-26</a></b></br> And Judah said, Let her take <i>it</i> to her, lest we be shamed: behold, I sent this kid, and thou hast not found her… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/16-19.htm">Judges 16:19-21</a></b></br> And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/92-10.htm">Best</a> <a href="/psalms/144-11.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-29.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/psalms/88-16.htm">Fierce</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-8.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-8.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/james/2-13.htm">Merciless</a> <a href="/psalms/112-5.htm">Others</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-3.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-22.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/psalms/105-36.htm">Vigor</a> <a href="/psalms/105-36.htm">Vigour</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-16.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/8-10.htm">Best</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-17.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-13.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-17.htm">Fierce</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-18.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-33.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-11.htm">Merciless</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-10.htm">Others</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-10.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-10.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-3.htm">Vigor</a> <a href="/genesis/49-3.htm">Vigour</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-10.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/5-1.htm">Solomon exhorts to wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/5-3.htm">He shows the mischief of unfaithfulness and riot</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/5-15.htm">He exhorts to contentedness, generosity, and chastity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/5-22.htm">The wicked are overtaken with their own sins</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>lest you concede your vigor to others</b><br>This phrase warns against the loss of strength and vitality, often associated with the consequences of immoral living. In biblical context, "vigor" can refer to one's physical, spiritual, and moral strength. The book of Proverbs frequently emphasizes the importance of wisdom and the dangers of folly, particularly in the context of sexual immorality (<a href="/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3-8</a>). The idea of conceding one's vigor to others suggests a transfer of power and energy that should be reserved for one's own family and God-given purpose. This aligns with the biblical principle of stewardship, where individuals are called to manage their resources, including their bodies, in a way that honors God (<a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</a>).<p><b>and your years to one who is cruel</b><br>The phrase "one who is cruel" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the destructive consequences of sin, particularly in the context of relationships that are not ordained by God. Historically, the ancient Near Eastern cultures often depicted foreign or pagan influences as cruel, leading the Israelites away from their covenant with God. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where Israel is warned against forming alliances with nations that do not follow Yahweh (<a href="/deuteronomy/7.htm">Deuteronomy 7:1-4</a>). The loss of "years" implies a significant portion of one's life being wasted or consumed by regret and suffering due to poor choices. This serves as a cautionary tale, urging believers to remain faithful and avoid entanglements that lead to spiritual and physical ruin. The concept of time being given to a cruel master can also be seen as a type of spiritual bondage, contrasting with the freedom found in Christ (<a href="/galatians/5.htm">Galatians 5:1</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>- The author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom, who provides guidance on moral and ethical living.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_adulteress.htm">The Adulteress</a></b><br>- While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of <a href="/bsb/proverbs/5.htm">Proverbs 5</a> warns against the temptations of an adulterous woman, symbolizing the dangers of infidelity and immorality.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_young_man.htm">The Young Man</a></b><br>- The primary audience of Solomon's warnings, representing anyone who might be tempted by immoral behavior.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_cruel_one.htm">The Cruel One</a></b><br>- A metaphorical figure representing the consequences and harsh realities that follow a life of sin and poor choices.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>- The cultural and historical backdrop of the Proverbs, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/guard_your_strength.htm">Guard Your Strength</a></b><br>The term "vigor" in Hebrew can refer to strength or honor. Protect your physical, emotional, and spiritual strength by avoiding immoral relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/value_your_time.htm">Value Your Time</a></b><br>The "years" given to a cruel one symbolize wasted time and opportunities. Use your time wisely in pursuits that honor God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/recognize_consequences.htm">Recognize Consequences</a></b><br>Understand that sinful actions have real and often severe consequences, affecting not just the individual but also those around them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seek_wisdom.htm">Seek Wisdom</a></b><br>Continually seek God's wisdom through prayer and study of the Scriptures to make righteous choices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pursue_holiness.htm">Pursue Holiness</a></b><br>Strive for a life of purity and holiness, recognizing that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_you_holding_fast_to_what_is_good.htm">What does the Bible say about human cruelty?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_caleb_as_strong_at_85_as_at_40.htm">In Joshua 14:10-11, how can an 85-year-old Caleb realistically maintain the same physical strength he had at 40?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_early_deaths_of_the_faithful.htm">Proverbs 16:31 declares that gray hair, or old age, is a crown of glory for the righteous--how do we reconcile this with the early deaths of many who lead faithful and moral lives?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_proverbs_7_22-27_unjust_or_unmerciful.htm">Does the depiction of sudden destruction for the tempted (Proverbs 7:22-27) contradict a just and merciful God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Thine honour.--</span>Rather, <span class= "ital">freshness, vigour.</span><p><span class= "bld">Thy years.--</span>The best years of thy life.<p><span class= "bld">Unto the cruel.--</span>That is the temptress herself, or her hangers-on and associates, whose sole idea is plunder.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - The reasons why the harlot is to be avoided follow in rapid succession. <span class="cmt_word">Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel.</span> The word rendered "honour" (Hebrew, <span class="accented">hod</span>) is not so much reputation, as the English implies, as "the <span class="accented">grace</span> and <span class="accented">freshness</span> of youth." It is so used in <a href="/hosea/14-6.htm">Hosea 14:6</a>; <a href="/daniel/10-8.htm">Daniel 10:8</a>. The Vulgate renders "honour," and the LXX., <span class="greek">ζώη</span>, "life." <span class="accented">Hod</span> is derived from the Arabic word signifying "to lift one's self up," and then "to be eminent, beautiful." <span class="accented">Thy years</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the best and most vigorous, and hence the most useful and valuable, years of life. <span class="accented">Unto the cruel</span> (Hebrew, <span class="accented">l'ak'zari</span>); literally, <span class="accented">to the cruel one</span>; but the adjective <span class="accented">akzari</span> is only found in the singular, and may be here used in a collective sense as designating the <span class="accented">entourage of</span> the harlot, her associates who prey pitilessly on the youth whom they bring within the range of her fascinations. So Delitzsch. It seems to be so understood by the LXX., which reads <span class="greek">ἀνελεήμοσιν</span>, <span class="accented">immitentibus</span>; but not so by the Vulgate, which adheres to the singular, <span class="accented">crudeli.</span> If we adhere to the gender of the adjective <span class="accented">akzari</span>, which is masculine, and to its number, it may designate the husband of the adulteress, who will deal mercilessly towards the paramour of his wife. So Zockler. Again, it may refer, notwithstanding the gender, to the harlot herself (so Vatablus and Holden). who is cruel, who has no love for the youth, and would see him perish without pity. The explanation of Stuart and others, including Ewald, that the "cruel one" is the purchaser of the punished adulterer, is without foundation or warrant, since there is no historical instance on record where the adulterer was reduced to slavery, and the punishment inflicted by the Mosaic code was not slavery, but death (<a href="/numbers/20-10.htm">Numbers 20:10</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/22-22.htm">Deuteronomy 22:22</a>), and, as it appears from <a href="/ezekiel/16-40.htm">Ezekiel 16:40</a> and <a href="/john/8-5.htm">John 8:5</a>, death from stoning. The adjective <span class="accented">akzari</span>, like its equivalent <span class="accented">akzar</span>, is derived from the verb <span class="accented">kazar</span>, "to break," and occurs again in <a href="/proverbs/11-17.htm">Proverbs 11:17</a>; <a href="/proverbs/12-10.htm">Proverbs 12:10</a>; <a href="/proverbs/17-11.htm">Proverbs 17:11</a>. The moral of the warning is a wasted life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/5-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">lest</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(pen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> </span><span class="str2">Removal, lest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you concede</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּתֵּ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(tit·tên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your vigor</span><br /><span class="heb">הוֹדֶ֑ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(hō·w·ḏe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1935.htm">Strong's 1935: </a> </span><span class="str2">Splendor, majesty, vigor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to others,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַאֲחֵרִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(la·’ă·ḥê·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_312.htm">Strong's 312: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hinder, next, other</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and your years</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝שְׁנֹתֶ֗יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·šə·nō·ṯe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> </span><span class="str2">A year</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to one who is cruel,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאַכְזָרִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’aḵ·zā·rî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_394.htm">Strong's 394: </a> </span><span class="str2">Terrible</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/5-9.htm">Proverbs 5:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/5-9.htm">Proverbs 5:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/5-9.htm">Proverbs 5:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/5-9.htm">Proverbs 5:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/5-9.htm">Proverbs 5:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/5-9.htm">Proverbs 5:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/5-9.htm">Proverbs 5:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/5-9.htm">Proverbs 5:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/5-9.htm">Proverbs 5:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/5-9.htm">Proverbs 5:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/5-9.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 5:9 Lest you give your honor to others (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/5-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 5:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 5:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/5-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 5:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 5:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>