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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 5:23 He dies for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/5-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/20_Pro_05_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 5:23 - Avoiding Immorality" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He dies for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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he will be lost because of his great foolishness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He dies for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He shall die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astray.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He will die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he will go astray. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He will die for lack of discipline, And in the abundance of his folly he will stumble in intoxication.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He will die for lack of instruction (discipline), And in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astray <i>and</i> be lost.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will die because there is no discipline, and be lost because of his great stupidity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He will die because there is no discipline, and be lost because of his great stupidity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He shall die for lack of instruction; And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He shall die for lack of instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He will die for his lack of discipline and stumble around because of his great stupidity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They die because they have no self-control. Their utter stupidity will send them to their graves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He will die for lack of discipline, and he goes astray because of his great folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He dies for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He will die because there was no discipline; because of the greatness of his folly he will reel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />He dies without instruction, "" And magnifies himself in the abundance of his folly!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> He dieth without instruction, And in the abundance of his folly magnifieth himself!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He shall die in not being instructed, and he shall wander in the multitude of his folly.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He shall die, because he hath not received instruction, and in the multitude of his folly he shall be deceived. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />He shall die, for he has not held to discipline. And by the multitude of his foolishness, he shall be deceived.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They will die from lack of discipline, lost because of their great folly. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They die for lack of discipline, and because of their great folly they are lost.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He will die without instruction and in the abundance of his error he will be led astray. <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He shall die for lack of instruction; And in the greatness of his folly he shall reel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Such a man dies with the uninstructed; and he is cast forth from the abundance of his own substance, and has perished through folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/5-23.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=897" 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">22</span>The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">He</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: yā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">dies</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: bə·’ên (Prep-b:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">for lack</a> <a href="/hebrew/4148.htm" title="4148: mū·sār (N-ms) -- Discipline, chastening, correction. From yacar; properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint.">of discipline,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7686.htm" title="7686: yiš·geh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to stray, usually to mistake, especially to transgress; by extension to reel, be enraptured.">led astray</a> <a href="/hebrew/7230.htm" title="7230: ū·ḇə·rōḇ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Multitude, abundance, greatness. From rabab; abundance.">by his own great</a> <a href="/hebrew/200.htm" title="200: ’iw·wal·tōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Folly. From the same as 'eviyl; silliness.">folly.</a> </span><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="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-21.htm">Proverbs 10:21</a></span><br />The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-10.htm">Proverbs 15:10</a></span><br />Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/29-1.htm">Proverbs 29:1</a></span><br />A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Isaiah 5:13</a></span><br />Therefore My people will go into exile for their lack of understanding; their dignitaries are starving and their masses are parched with thirst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Jeremiah 4:22</a></span><br />“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/8-7.htm">Jeremiah 8:7</a></span><br />Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons. The turtledove, the swift, and the thrush keep their time of migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18</a></span><br />They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/36-12.htm">Job 36:12</a></span><br />But if they do not obey, then they perish by the sword and die without knowledge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-26.htm">Matthew 7:26-27</a></span><br />But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-17.htm">Luke 15:17</a></span><br />Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Romans 1:28</a></span><br />Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a></span><br />For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">1 Corinthians 1:18</a></span><br />For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.</p><p class="hdg">shall die</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/10-21.htm">Proverbs 10:21</a></b></br> The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/14-32.htm">Proverbs 14:32</a></b></br> The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/4-21.htm">Job 4:21</a></b></br> Doth not their excellency <i>which is</i> in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.</p><p class="hdg">in the</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/14-14.htm">Proverbs 14:14</a></b></br> The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man <i>shall be satisfied</i> from himself.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12</a></b></br> So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: <i>and</i> they walked in their own counsels.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm">2 Peter 2:15-22</a></b></br> Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam <i>the son</i> of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/150-2.htm">Abundance</a> <a href="/psalms/119-176.htm">Astray</a> <a href="/psalms/118-17.htm">Die</a> <a href="/psalms/49-17.htm">Dies</a> <a href="/psalms/49-17.htm">Dieth</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-12.htm">Discipline</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-11.htm">End</a> <a href="/psalms/85-8.htm">Folly</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-35.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-13.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/150-2.htm">Greatness</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-12.htm">Instruction</a> <a href="/psalms/94-10.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/daniel/11-37.htm">Magnifieth</a> <a href="/psalms/146-7.htm">Need</a> <a href="/psalms/107-27.htm">Reel</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-27.htm">Right</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-12.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/psalms/139-23.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-25.htm">Want</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-20.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Abundance</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-21.htm">Astray</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-21.htm">Die</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-7.htm">Dies</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-7.htm">Dieth</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-23.htm">Discipline</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">End</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-6.htm">Folly</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-5.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-35.htm">Great</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-9.htm">Greatness</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-23.htm">Instruction</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-21.htm">Magnifieth</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-11.htm">Need</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-20.htm">Reel</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-6.htm">Right</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-20.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-25.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-11.htm">Want</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Way</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>He dies for lack of discipline</b><br>The concept of discipline in the biblical context often refers to moral and spiritual self-control. In the wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, discipline is closely tied to the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>). The lack of discipline can lead to spiritual and physical demise, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Samson, whose lack of self-control led to his downfall (Judges 16). The Hebrew word for "discipline" can also imply correction or instruction, suggesting that ignoring divine guidance results in dire consequences. This phrase warns of the ultimate consequence of neglecting wisdom and instruction, which is death, both spiritually and sometimes physically.<p><b>led astray by his own great folly</b><br>Folly in the biblical sense is not merely foolishness but a moral failing, a rejection of wisdom and understanding. The phrase "led astray" indicates a deviation from the path of righteousness, often due to one's own decisions and desires. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that sin originates from within, as <a href="/james/1-14.htm">James 1:14-15</a> explains that each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire. The "great folly" here can be seen as a life lived in opposition to God's commandments, leading to ruin. This is a recurring theme in Proverbs, where wisdom is personified and calls out to those who are simple to turn from their ways (<a href="/proverbs/1-20.htm">Proverbs 1:20-33</a>). The phrase serves as a cautionary reminder of the consequences of ignoring divine wisdom and choosing one's own path over God's.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_foolish_man.htm">The Foolish Man</a></b><br>The primary subject of this verse, representing anyone who lacks discipline and is led astray by their own folly.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was known for his wisdom and is addressing his son or a young man in this chapter.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_path_of_folly.htm">The Path of Folly</a></b><br>A metaphorical path representing a life lived without wisdom or discipline, leading to destruction.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discipline.htm">The Importance of Discipline</a></b><br>Discipline is crucial for a righteous life. Without it, one is prone to making foolish decisions that lead to spiritual and sometimes physical death.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_folly.htm">Consequences of Folly</a></b><br>The verse warns of the severe consequences of living a life without wisdom and discipline. It serves as a reminder that our choices have real and lasting impacts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to examine their lives for areas lacking discipline and seek God's wisdom to correct their paths.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_wisdom.htm">Seeking Wisdom</a></b><br>The pursuit of wisdom and understanding is a lifelong journey that requires dedication and a willingness to learn from God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_deception.htm">Guarding Against Deception</a></b><br>The verse highlights the danger of being led astray by one's own desires and the importance of staying grounded in biblical truth.<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/how_does_your_home_show_your_beliefs.htm">How does discipline lead to wisdom and understanding?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_discipline_lead_to_wisdom.htm">How does discipline lead to wisdom and understanding?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_proverbs_20_1_align_with_alcohol_research.htm">Proverbs 20:1 labels wine as deceptive--how does this align with modern research suggesting moderate alcohol consumption can be beneficial?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_view_scientifically_impossible_proverbs.htm">Proverbs 23:5 depicts wealth sprouting wings and flying away; how should we view such statements that appear scientifically impossible?</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>(23) <span class= "bld">He shall die without instruction.--</span>Rather, <span class= "ital">for want of discipline, </span>because he would not control himself, "he shall die," and "for the greatness of his folly (self-will) he shall go astray," and "wander where there is no way" (<a href="/job/12-24.htm" title="He takes away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.">Job 12:24</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He shall die without instruction.</span> The phrase, "without instruction," is in the original <span class="accented">b'eyu musar</span>, literally, "in there not being instruction." The obvious meaning is, because he gave no heed to instruction. So Aben Ezra and Gersom. The Authorized Version is at least ambiguous, and seems to imply that the adulterer has been without instruction, without any to reprove or counsel him. But such is not the case. He has been admonished of the evil consequences of his sin, but to these warnings he has turned a deaf ear, and the teacher says therefore he shall die. The Vulgate supports this explanation, <span class="accented">quia non habuit disciplinam</span> "because he did not entertain or use instruction." In the LXX. the idea is enlarged, "He shall die together with these who have no instruction (<span class="greek">μετὰ</span> <span class="greek">ἀπαιδεύτων</span>)." The <span class="accented">b</span>' (<span class="hebrew">בְּ</span>) in <span class="accented">b'eyn</span> is causal, and equivalent to <span class="accented">propter</span>, as in <a href="/genesis/18-28.htm">Genesis 18:28</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/17-3.htm">Jeremiah 17:3</a>. A similar statement is found in <a href="/job/4-21.htm">Job 4:21</a>, "They die even without wisdom," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> because they have disregarded the lessons of wisdom; and <a href="/job/36-12.htm">Job 36:12</a>, "They shall die without knowledge." <span class="cmt_word">And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray;</span> better, as Delitzsch, "He shall stagger to ruin." The verb <span class="accented">shagah</span> is used as in vers. 19 and 20, but with a deeper and more dread significance. A climax is reached in the manner in which the end of the adulterer is portrayed. His end is without a gleam of hope or satisfaction. With an understanding darkened and rendered callous by unrestrained indulgence in lust, and by folly which has reached its utmost limits and cannot, as it were, be surpassed, in that it has persistently and wilfully set aside and scorned wisdom and true happiness, the adulterer, like the drunkard, who is oblivious of the danger before him, shall stagger to ruin. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/5-23.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">He</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֗וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will die</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֭מוּת</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for lack</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּאֵ֣ין</span> <span class="translit">(bə·’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of discipline,</span><br /><span class="heb">מוּסָ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(mū·sār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4148.htm">Strong's 4148: </a> </span><span class="str2">Chastisement, reproof, warning, instruction, restraint</span><br /><br /><span class="word">led astray</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁגֶּֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·geh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7686.htm">Strong's 7686: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stray, to mistake, to transgress, to reel, be enraptured</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by his own great</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְרֹ֖ב</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·rōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7230.htm">Strong's 7230: </a> </span><span class="str2">Multitude, abundance, greatness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">folly.</span><br /><span class="heb">אִוַּלְתּ֣וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’iw·wal·tōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_200.htm">Strong's 200: </a> </span><span class="str2">Silliness</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/5-23.htm">Proverbs 5:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/5-23.htm">Proverbs 5:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/5-23.htm">Proverbs 5:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/5-23.htm">Proverbs 5:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/5-23.htm">Proverbs 5:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/5-23.htm">Proverbs 5:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/5-23.htm">Proverbs 5:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/5-23.htm">Proverbs 5:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/5-23.htm">Proverbs 5:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/5-23.htm">Proverbs 5:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/5-23.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 5:23 He will die for lack of instruction (Prov. 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