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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 />For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For the lips of a strange woman drop <i>as</i> an honeycomb, and her mouth <i>is</i> smoother than oil:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth <i>is</i> smoother than oil;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, And her speech is smoother than oil;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For the lips of an adulteress drip honey And smoother than oil is her speech;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, And smoother than oil is her speech;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For the lips of a strange woman drip honey And smoother than oil is her speech;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey [like a honeycomb] And her speech is smoother than oil;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her words are smoother than oil,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her words are smoother than oil, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The words of an immoral woman may be as sweet as honey and as smooth as olive oil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The lips of an adulterous woman drip with honey. Her kiss is smoother than oil,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The lips of another man's wife may be as sweet as honey and her kisses as smooth as olive oil, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her seductive words are smoother than olive oil, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For the lips of a strange woman drop as a honey-comb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For the lips of an adulteress drip honey. Her mouth is smoother than oil, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, "" And her mouth [is] smoother than oil,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, And smoother than oil is her mouth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For the lips of the strange woman will drop droppings of the honeycomb, and her palate is smooth above oil:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For the lips of a harlot are like a honeycomb dropping, and her throat is smoother than oil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For the lips of a loose woman are like a dripping honeycomb, and her voice is smoother than oil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, the lips of the stranger drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For the lips of a loose woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For the lips of a strange woman drop as a honeycomb, and her words are smoother than oil;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because the lips of an estranged woman are dripping honey and her words are softer than oil.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />for honey drops from the lips of a harlot, who for a season pleases thy palate:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/5-3.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=765" 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">2</span>that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Though</a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: śip̄·ṯê (N-fdc) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin.">the lips</a> <a href="/hebrew/2114.htm" title="2114: zā·rāh (Adj-fs) -- A primitive root; to turn aside; hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically to commit adultery.">of the forbidden woman</a> <a href="/hebrew/5197.htm" title="5197: tiṭ·ṭō·p̄ə·nāh (V-Qal-Imperf-3fp) -- A primitive root; to ooze, i.e. Distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak by inspiration.">drip</a> <a href="/hebrew/5317.htm" title="5317: nō·p̄eṯ (N-ms) -- Flowing honey, honey from the comb. From nuwph in the sense of shaking to pieces; a dripping i.e. Of honey.">honey</a> <a href="/hebrew/2441.htm" title="2441: ḥik·kāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Probably from chanak in the sense of tasting; properly, the palate or inside of the mouth; hence, the mouth itself.">and her speech</a> <a href="/hebrew/2509.htm" title="2509: wə·ḥā·lāq (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Smooth. From chalaq; smooth.">is smoother</a> <a href="/hebrew/8081.htm" title="8081: miš·še·men (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Fat, oil. From shaman; grease, especially liquid; figuratively, richness.">than oil,</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a double-edged sword.…<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/7-21.htm">Proverbs 7:21-23</a></span><br />With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him. / 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/2-16.htm">Proverbs 2:16-19</a></span><br />It will rescue you from the forbidden woman, from the stranger with seductive words / who abandons the partner of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God. / For her house sinks down to death, and her tracks to the departed spirits. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-24.htm">Proverbs 6:24-29</a></span><br />to keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. / Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. / 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/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="/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/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/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/30-20.htm">Proverbs 30:20</a></span><br />This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-3.htm">Jeremiah 3:3</a></span><br />Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-11.htm">Hosea 4:11</a></span><br />to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28</a></span><br />But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.<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="/james/1-14.htm">James 1:14-15</a></span><br />But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.<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="/2_peter/2-14.htm">2 Peter 2:14</a></span><br />Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:</p><p class="hdg">the lips</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/2-16.htm">Proverbs 2:16</a></b></br> To deliver thee from the strange woman, <i>even</i> from the stranger <i>which</i> flattereth with her words;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-24.htm">Proverbs 6:24</a></b></br> To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/7-21.htm">Proverbs 7:21</a></b></br> With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.</p><p class="hdg">smoother</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/55-21.htm">Psalm 55:21</a></b></br> <i>The words</i> of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war <i>was</i> in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet <i>were</i> they drawn swords.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/2-16.htm">Adulteress</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-20.htm">Drip</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-20.htm">Drop</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-20.htm">Dropping</a> <a href="/psalms/119-103.htm">Honey</a> <a href="/psalms/19-10.htm">Honeycomb</a> <a href="/psalms/19-10.htm">Honey-Comb</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-2.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-24.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/psalms/147-3.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/psalms/55-21.htm">Smoother</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-24.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-16.htm">Strange</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/5-20.htm">Adulteress</a> <a href="/songs/4-11.htm">Drip</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm">Drop</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-2.htm">Dropping</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-24.htm">Honey</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-24.htm">Honeycomb</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-24.htm">Honey-Comb</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-2.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-7.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-17.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Smoother</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-9.htm">Strange</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>Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey</b><br>The imagery of lips dripping honey suggests sweetness and allure, a metaphor for temptation. In ancient Near Eastern culture, honey was a prized delicacy, symbolizing pleasure and abundance. The "forbidden woman" refers to an adulteress or a woman outside the bounds of lawful marriage, often representing temptation and sin. This phrase warns against the seductive nature of sin, which initially appears attractive and desirable. The allure of the forbidden woman can be compared to the deceitfulness of sin described in <a href="/james/1-14.htm">James 1:14-15</a>, where desire leads to sin and ultimately to death.<p><b>and her speech is smoother than oil</b><br>Oil in biblical times was used for anointing and as a symbol of prosperity and blessing. Here, it represents the persuasive and enticing nature of the forbidden woman's words. Her speech is described as "smoother than oil," indicating a deceptive charm that can easily lead one astray. This smoothness can be likened to the flattery and deceit warned against in <a href="/psalms/55-21.htm">Psalm 55:21</a>, where words are smoother than butter but harbor war. The passage serves as a caution against being swayed by eloquent but misleading words, emphasizing the need for discernment and wisdom, as highlighted in <a href="/proverbs/2-10.htm">Proverbs 2:10-12</a>, which speaks of wisdom entering the heart and delivering from the way of evil.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding, particularly to his son and to the people of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_forbidden_woman.htm">The Forbidden Woman</a></b><br>This figure represents temptation and immorality, often personified as an adulteress or seductress. She symbolizes the allure of sin and the dangers of straying from God's commandments.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context in which Proverbs was written. Understanding the societal norms and values of ancient Israel helps in comprehending the warnings against immorality.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_deceptive_nature_of_temptation.htm">The Deceptive Nature of Temptation</a></b><br>Temptation often appears attractive and harmless, much like honey and smooth oil. Recognize the deceitful nature of sin and be vigilant in discerning its true consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_the_heart.htm">Guarding the Heart</a></b><br>Proverbs frequently emphasizes the importance of guarding one's heart. Protect your heart by immersing yourself in God's Word and seeking His wisdom to resist temptation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_wisdom_and_discernment.htm">The Importance of Wisdom and Discernment</a></b><br>Seek wisdom and discernment from God to recognize and avoid the snares of temptation. Wisdom acts as a shield against the allure of sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>Understand that succumbing to temptation leads to destructive consequences. Reflect on the long-term impact of choices and strive to live a life that honors God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_and_community.htm">Accountability and Community</a></b><br>Surround yourself with a community of believers who can provide support and accountability. Engage in relationships that encourage spiritual growth and adherence to biblical principles.<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_to_verify_proverbs_5_3-4's_claim.htm">Proverbs 5:3–4: How can we verify the claim that enticing words inevitably lead to bitterness if there’s no tangible evidence for such moral cause-and-effect? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_fuels_prostitution's_essence.htm">What drives the essence of prostitution?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_sensuality.htm">What does the Bible say about sensuality?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_trust_an_unseen_god_amid_suffering.htm">Proverbs 3:5 urges total trust in God--why entrust ourselves to an unseen deity when much suffering and injustice seem unanswered?</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><span class= "bld">V.</span><p>(3) <span class= "bld">Her mouth is smoother than oil.--</span>The experience of David also with Ahitophel (<a href="/psalms/55-21.htm" title="The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.">Psalm 55:21</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - The teacher enters upon the subject of his warning, and under two familiar figures - common alike to Oriental and Greek writers - describes the nature of the "strange woman's" allurements. <span class="cmt_word">For</span> <span class="cmt_word">the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb</span>. The conjunction "for" (Hebrew <span class="accented">ki</span>) here, like the LXX. <span class="greek">γὰρ</span>, states the reason why the preceding exhortation is worthy of attention. Some commentators render "although," "albeit," as corresponding with the antithetical "but" in ver. 4. <span class="accented">The lips</span>; <span class="accented">siphthey</span>, the construct case of <span class="accented">saphah</span> in ver. 2. The organ of speech is here used for the speech itself, like the parallel "mouth." <span class="accented">A strange woman</span> (<span class="accented">zarah</span>); <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the harlot. The word occurs before in <a href="/proverbs/2-16.htm">Proverbs 2:16</a>, and again inch. 5:20; 7:5; 22:14; 23. 33. She is <span class="accented">extranea</span>, a stranger with respect to the youth whom she would beguile, either as being of foreign extraction, or as being the wife of another man, in which capacity she is so represented in <a href="/proverbs/7-19.htm">Proverbs 7:19</a>. In this sense she would be an adulteress. St. Jerome, in <a href="/ezekiel/6.htm">Ezekiel 6</a>, takes her as the representative of the allurements from sound doctrine, and of corrupt worship (Wordsworth). <span class="accented">Drop as an honeycomb</span> (<span class="accented">nopheth tithoph</span> <span class="accented">nah</span>); rather, <span class="accented">distil honey.</span> The Hebrew <span class="accented">nophteth</span> is properly a "dropping," <span class="accented">distillatio</span>, and so the honey flowing from the honeycombs (<span class="accented">tsuphim</span>). Kimchi explains it as the honey flowing from the cells before they are broken, and hence it is the <span class="accented">pure fine virgin honey.</span> Exactly the same phrase occurs in <a href="/songs/4-11.htm">Song of Solomon 4:11</a>, "Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as an honeycomb (<span class="accented">nopheth tithoph'nah</span>)." The only other places where we meet with the word <span class="accented">nopheth</span> are <a href="/psalms/24-10.htm">Psalm 24:10</a> (11) (there combined with <span class="accented">tsuphim</span>, which helps to determine its meaning) and <a href="/proverbs/24-13.htm">Proverbs 24:13</a>; <a href="/proverbs/27-7.htm">Proverbs 27:7</a>. The meaning is the same as she "flattereth with her words" of <a href="/proverbs/7-5.htm">Proverbs 7:5</a>, in which chapter the teacher gives an example of the alluring words which the strange woman uses (<a href="/proverbs/7-14.htm">Proverbs 7:14-20</a>). As honey is sweet and attractive to the taste, so in a higher degree are her words pleasant to the senses. <span class="cmt_word">Her mouth is smoother than oil;</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> her words are most plausible and persuasive. The Hebrew <span class="accented">khik</span> is properly "the palate," though it also included the corresponding lower part of the mouth (Gesenius). It is used as the instrument or organ of speech in <a href="/proverbs/8-7.htm">Proverbs 8:7</a>, "For my mouth (<span class="accented">khik</span>) shall speak truth;" and in <a href="/job/31-30.htm">Job 31:30</a>, "I have not suffered my mouth (<span class="accented">khik</span>) to sin." Under the same figure David describes the treachery of his friend in <a href="/psalms/55-22.htm">Psalm 55:22</a>, "His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/5-3.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">Though</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the lips</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׂפְתֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(śip̄·ṯê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8193.htm">Strong's 8193: </a> </span><span class="str2">The lip, language, a margin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the forbidden woman</span><br /><span class="heb">זָרָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(zā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2114.htm">Strong's 2114: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn aside, to be a, foreigner, strange, profane, to commit adultery</span><br /><br /><span class="word">drip</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּ֭טֹּפְנָה</span> <span class="translit">(tiṭ·ṭō·p̄ə·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5197.htm">Strong's 5197: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ooze, distil gradually, to fall in drops, to speak by inspiration</span><br /><br /><span class="word">honey</span><br /><span class="heb">נֹ֣פֶת</span> <span class="translit">(nō·p̄eṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5317.htm">Strong's 5317: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flowing honey, honey from the comb</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and her speech</span><br /><span class="heb">חִכָּֽהּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥik·kāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2441.htm">Strong's 2441: </a> </span><span class="str2">Palate, roof of the mouth, gums</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] smoother</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחָלָ֖ק</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥā·lāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2509.htm">Strong's 2509: </a> </span><span class="str2">Smooth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than oil,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשֶּׁ֣מֶן</span> <span class="translit">(miš·še·men)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8081.htm">Strong's 8081: </a> </span><span class="str2">Grease, liquid, richness</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/5-3.htm">Proverbs 5:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/5-3.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 5:3 For the lips of an adulteress drip (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/5-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 5:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 5:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/5-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 5:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 5:4" /></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>