Proverbs 5:4
Proverbs 5:4 in Multiple Translations
in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a double-edged sword.
But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.
But her end is bitter as wormwood, and sharp as a two-edged sword;
but in the end what you get from her is the bitterness of wormwood and the sharp pain of being cut with a two-edged sword.
But the end of her is bitter as wormewood, and sharpe as a two edged sworde.
And her latter end [is] bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a sword [with] mouths.
but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as a two-edged sword.
But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
But her end is bitter as wormwood, and sharp as a two-edged sword.
but the result of being with her will be bitter like gall and injure you as badly, like being cut with a sharp two-edged sword.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 5:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 5:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְֽ֭/אַחֲרִיתָ/הּ
מָרָ֣ה
כַֽ/לַּעֲנָ֑ה
חַ֝דָּ֗ה
כְּ/חֶ֣רֶב
פִּיּֽוֹת
וְֽ֭/אַחֲרִיתָ/הּ
ʼachărîyth
H319
end
Conj | N-fs | Suff
מָרָ֣ה
mar
H4751
bitter
Adj
כַֽ/לַּעֲנָ֑ה
laʻănâh
H3939
wormwood
Prep | N-fs
חַ֝דָּ֗ה
chad
H2299
sharp
Adj
כְּ/חֶ֣רֶב
chereb
H2719
sword
Prep | N-fs
פִּיּֽוֹת
peh
H6310
lip
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 5:4
וְֽ֭/אַחֲרִיתָ/הּ
ʼachărîyth
H319
"end"
Conj | N-fs | Suff
End refers to the last or final part of something, including time or events. It can also mean the future or what comes after. In the Bible, it is often used to describe the latter time or posterity.
Definition: 1) after part, end 1a) end, issue, event 1b) latter time (prophetic for future time) 1c) posterity 1d) last, hindermost Aramaic equivalent: a.cha.rit (אַחֲרִית "latter" H0320)
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: (last, latter) end (time), hinder (utter) -most, length, posterity, remnant, residue, reward. See also: Genesis 49:1; Ecclesiastes 7:8; Psalms 37:37.
מָרָ֣ה
mar
H4751
"bitter"
Adj
Mar means bitter, describing something that tastes bad or is unpleasant. It can also describe emotional pain or discontent, like being angry or chafed.
Definition: adj 1) bitter, bitterness 1a) of water or food 1b) of harlot's end, end of wickedness, cry (fig.) 1c) of pain (subst) adv 2) bitterly
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] angry, bitter(-ly, -ness), chafed, discontented, [idiom] great, heavy. See also: Genesis 27:34; Psalms 64:4; Proverbs 5:4.
כַֽ/לַּעֲנָ֑ה
laʻănâh
H3939
"wormwood"
Prep | N-fs
Wormwood is a poisonous plant, often used to symbolize bitterness. It is mentioned in the Bible as a metaphor for something accursed or evil, and is sometimes translated as hemlock or wormwood.
Definition: 1) wormwood 1a) bitterness (metaph.)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: hemlock, wormwood. See also: Deuteronomy 29:17; Lamentations 3:15; Proverbs 5:4.
חַ֝דָּ֗ה
chad
H2299
"sharp"
Adj
This word means sharp, like a sharp object or a sharp mind. It is not commonly used in the Bible, but it appears in a few places, like in descriptions of sharp tools.
Definition: sharp
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: sharp. See also: Psalms 57:5; Isaiah 49:2; Proverbs 5:4.
כְּ/חֶ֣רֶב
chereb
H2719
"sword"
Prep | N-fs
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Definition: 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone
Usage: Occurs in 372 OT verses. KJV: axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Samuel 2:16; Psalms 7:13.
פִּיּֽוֹת
peh
H6310
"lip"
N-mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
Study Notes — Proverbs 5:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 5:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 5:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 5:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 5:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 5:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 5:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 5:4
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 5:4
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 5:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 5:4
- Sermons on Proverbs 5:4
Context — Avoiding Immorality
2that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
3Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil,
4in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a double-edged sword.
5Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to Sheol. 6She does not consider the path of life; she does not know that her ways are unstable.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecclesiastes 7:26 | 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. |
| 2 | Psalms 57:4 | My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. |
| 3 | Psalms 55:21 | His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed. |
| 4 | Hebrews 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. |
| 5 | Proverbs 9:18 | But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. |
| 6 | Proverbs 7:22–23 | 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. |
| 7 | Proverbs 6:24–35 | 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. Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished. Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger. Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house. He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away. For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance. He will not be appeased by any ransom, or persuaded by lavish gifts. |
| 8 | Judges 16:4–6 | Some time later, Samson fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. The lords of the Philistines went to her and said, “Entice him and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him to tie him up and subdue him. Then each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver. ” So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me the source of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.” |
| 9 | Proverbs 23:27–28 | 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. |
| 10 | Judges 16:15–21 | “How can you say, ‘I love you,’” she asked, “when your heart is not with me? This is the third time you have mocked me and failed to reveal to me the source of your great strength!” Finally, after she had pressed him daily with her words and pleaded until he was sick to death, Samson told her all that was in his heart: “My hair has never been cut, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man.” When Delilah realized that he had revealed to her all that was in his heart, she sent this message to the lords of the Philistines: “Come up once more, for he has revealed to me all that is in his heart.” Then the lords of the Philistines came to her, bringing the money in their hands. And having lulled him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his head. In this way she began to subdue him, and his strength left him. Then she called out, “Samson, the Philistines are here!” When Samson awoke from his sleep, he thought, “I will escape as I did before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him. Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze shackles and forced to grind grain in the prison. |
Proverbs 5:4 Summary
This verse is warning us about the dangers of being deceived by someone who seems charming or attractive on the surface, but may have ulterior motives. Just like wormwood is bitter and unpleasant, the forbidden woman's ways will ultimately lead to harm and suffering. Her words may seem sweet and smooth at first, but they will ultimately cut deep and cause pain, like a double-edged sword (as seen in Hebrews 4:12). We need to be careful and discerning in our relationships, and seek out people who are honest and kind, as described in Proverbs 27:9 and Ephesians 4:25-32.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for something to be 'bitter as wormwood'?
In the Bible, wormwood is often used to describe something that is unpleasant or harmful, as seen in Deuteronomy 29:18 and Jeremiah 9:15, so in Proverbs 5:4, it's saying that the forbidden woman's ways will ultimately lead to harm and suffering.
How can someone's words be 'sharp as a double-edged sword'?
This phrase, also found in Hebrews 4:12, means that the forbidden woman's words have the power to deeply hurt and wound others, much like a sharp sword can cause physical harm.
Is this verse saying that all women are dangerous or deceitful?
No, Proverbs 5:4 is specifically warning against the 'forbidden woman', who is someone that uses their charm and beauty to lead others into sin, as seen in Proverbs 5:3, and is not a reflection on all women, as seen in Proverbs 31:10-31 which describes a virtuous woman.
How can I apply this verse to my life?
This verse can serve as a warning to be cautious of people who may seem charming or attractive on the surface, but may have ulterior motives, as seen in 1 John 4:1-3, and to instead seek out relationships that are built on honesty and integrity, as seen in Ephesians 4:25-32.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be tempted to compromise my values or morals, and how can I resist those temptations?
- How can I discern whether someone's words or actions are genuinely kind and loving, or if they are just trying to manipulate me?
- What are some 'sharp' or hurtful words that I may have spoken to others, and how can I make amends and speak more kindly in the future?
- In what ways can I seek out and cultivate relationships that are built on honesty, integrity, and mutual respect, as described in Proverbs 27:9 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-3?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 5:4
But her end is bitter as wormwood,.... Which is opposed to the honeycomb her lips are said to drop; so that, as Juvenal says (g), "plus aloes quam mellis habet": the end which she brings persons to,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 5:4
But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. But her end is bitter as wormwood - (Ecclesiastes 7:26). The flesh promises every delight, but it leaves bitter dregs (Mercer).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 5:4
Her design, and the effect of that lewdness to which she enticeth men, is the sinner’ s destruction.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 5:4
Proverbs 5:4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.Ver. 4. But her end is bitter as wormwood.] The pleasure passeth, the sting remaineth; for in the froth of this filthy pleasure is bred that hell worm of guilt that never dieth. “ Principium dulce est, sed finis amoris amarus: Laeta venire Venus, tristis abire solet. ” Diana of the Ephesians was so artificially portrayed, that she seemed to smile most pleasantly upon such as came into her temple, but to frown at those that went out. So doth sensual pleasure. Heus tu scholastiae, dulce et amarum gustulum carpis, &c., said the harlot to Apuleius; hark, scholar, it is but a bitter sweet that you are so fond of. Plus aloes quam mellis habet; knowest thou not that there will be bitterness in the end? The chroniclers have observed of our Edward III that he had always fair weather at his passage into France, and foul upon his return. Such is the way of the harlot; the sin committed with her is as the poison of asps. When an asp stings a man, it doth first tickle him so as it makes him laugh, till the poison by little and little get to the heart, and then it pains him more than ever before it delighted him. See Luke 6:25; Luke 16:25 Hebrews 12:15-16 Job 13:26 Ecclesiastes 7:27-28. In amore multum est amari.
Dulcis acerbitas amarissima voluptas. - Tertul. Plutarch. Speed, Walsing.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 5:4
(4) Bitter as wormwood.—The absinthium of Rev 8:11, where, apparently, it is considered as a poison. So God’s message to St. John (Revelation 10:10) was in his mouth sweet as honey (comp. Psalms 19:10), but made his belly bitter: that is, he met with much sorrow and trouble in making it known to men, but through this “much tribulation” (Acts 14:22) he “entered into the kingdom of heaven.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 5:4
Verse 4. Bitter as wormwood] כלענה Kelanah, like the detestable herb wormwood, or something analogous to it: something as excessive in its bitterness, as honey is in its sweetness.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 5:4
4. wormwood] The reference is perhaps not merely to the bitterness, but to the noxiousness of this herb. See Deuteronomy 29:18, and Revelation 8:10-11, where “many men died of the waters” into which the star named “wormwood” had fallen.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 5:4
Wormwood - In Eastern medicine this herb, the absinthium of Greek and Latin botanists, was looked upon as poisonous rather than medicinal. Compare Revelation 8:11.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 5:4
4. Bitter as wormwood — As the accursed or poisonous herb or root. The ancients regarded this herb, whatever it was, as poisonous. There are sundry passages referring to it as noxious.
Sermons on Proverbs 5:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Backslidings of Balaam by Charles Banna | This sermon emphasizes the dangers of falling into covetousness and pride, using the example of Balaam who was led astray by these sins. It highlights the importance of fleeing fro |
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The New Quest and Law of Life. 7:1-29 by W.J. Erdman | In this sermon by W.J. Erdman, the Preacher embarks on a new quest to discover 'the Good' in a high law for life under the sun, possibly found in the fear of God. He seeks wisdom a |
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The Secret of Victory by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of fully dedicating oneself to God. He shares the story of a preacher who chose to retire and move away when he was diagnosed |
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My Heart Is Fixed by Hans R. Waldvogel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of praising God and the importance of having a fixed heart. He shares a personal testimony of being healed through praising the Lo |
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Secret Faults and Presumptuous Sins by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the human tendency to be both praising and accusing God at the same time. He emphasizes the importance of surrendering our unsatisfied desire |
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Are You Keeping Well by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of the body as a means of communication with the outside world. He explains that while we can recognize others based on their phys |
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"a.w. Tozer on Judgment" by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon delves into the importance of examining our motives behind our actions, emphasizing that we will be judged not just for what we have done but for the reasons and motive |