Proverbs 5:5
Proverbs 5:5 in Multiple Translations
Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to Sheol.
Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
Her feet go down to death; Her steps take hold on Sheol;
Her feet go down to death, and her steps to the underworld;
She leads you down to death; she takes you down to the grave.
Her feete goe downe to death, and her steps take holde on hell.
Her feet are going down to death, Sheol do her steps take hold of.
Her feet go down to death. Her steps lead straight to Sheol.
Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
Her feet go down into death, and her steps go in as far as hell.
If you go where she goes [MTY], you will go down to where the dead people are. Her steps will lead you straight to the grave.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 5:5
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 5:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
רַ֭גְלֶי/הָ
יֹרְד֣וֹת
מָ֑וֶת
שְׁ֝א֗וֹל
צְעָדֶ֥י/הָ
יִתְמֹֽכוּ
רַ֭גְלֶי/הָ
regel
H7272
foot
N-fd | Suff
יֹרְד֣וֹת
yârad
H3381
to go down
V-Qal
מָ֑וֶת
mâveth
H4194
death
N-ms
שְׁ֝א֗וֹל
shᵉʼôwl
H7585
hell
N-proper
צְעָדֶ֥י/הָ
tsaʻad
H6806
step
N-mp | Suff
יִתְמֹֽכוּ
tâmak
H8551
to grasp
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 5:5
רַ֭גְלֶי/הָ
regel
H7272
"foot"
N-fd | Suff
This word also means a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked in Malachi 4:3. It's used to describe human and animal feet, as well as the base of objects like tables or idols.
Definition: 1) foot 1a) foot, leg 1b) of God (anthropomorphic) 1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table 1d) according to the pace of (with prep) 1e) three times (feet, paces) Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
Usage: Occurs in 232 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time. See also: Genesis 8:9; 2 Samuel 22:39; Psalms 8:7.
יֹרְד֣וֹת
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
V-Qal
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
מָ֑וֶת
mâveth
H4194
"death"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to death, whether natural or violent, and is used in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It can also mean the place of the dead, or a state of ruin. This concept is seen in the story of Moses, where death is a punishment for disobedience.
Definition: 1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead 1a) death 1b) death by violence (as a penalty) 1c) state of death, place of death Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). See also: Genesis 21:16; Job 38:17; Psalms 6:6.
שְׁ֝א֗וֹל
shᵉʼôwl
H7585
"hell"
N-proper
Sheol refers to the underworld or grave, a place of no return where the dead reside, as seen in the Old Testament. It is often translated as hell or pit in the KJV. This concept is mentioned in various books, including Psalms and Isaiah.
Definition: Sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit 1a) the underworld 1b) Sheol-the OT designation for the abode of the dead 1b1) place of no return 1b2) without praise of God 1b3) wicked sent there for punishment 1b4) righteous not abandoned to it 1b5) of the place of exile (fig) 1b6) of extreme degradation in sin
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: grave, hell, pit. See also: Genesis 37:35; Psalms 139:8; Psalms 6:6.
צְעָדֶ֥י/הָ
tsaʻad
H6806
"step"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for step or pace, describing a regular stride or the path of life. It appears in various forms, such as pace or step, in the King James Version. In the Bible, it refers to a person's journey or walk.
Definition: 1) step, pace, stride 1a) step, pace 1b) step, steps (of course of life) (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: pace, step. See also: 2 Samuel 6:13; Psalms 18:37; Proverbs 4:12.
יִתְמֹֽכוּ
tâmak
H8551
"to grasp"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to grasp or hold something, like taking hold of a person or object. It is used in books like Genesis and Psalms to describe helping or supporting someone.
Definition: 1) to grasp, hold, support, attain, lay hold of, hold fast 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to grasp, lay hold of, attain 1a2) to hold up, support 1a3) to hold, keep 1a4) to take hold of each other 1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be held
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: (take, up-) hold (up), maintain, retain, stay (up). See also: Genesis 48:17; Proverbs 5:22; Psalms 16:5.
Study Notes — Proverbs 5:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 5:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 5:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 5:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 5:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 5:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 5:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 5:5
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 5:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 5:5
Context — Avoiding Immorality
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. 7So now, my sons, listen to me, and do not turn aside from the words of my mouth.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 7:27 | Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death. |
| 2 | Proverbs 2:18–19 | 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. |
Proverbs 5:5 Summary
This verse is warning us about the dangers of following a path that leads to death and separation from God. The forbidden woman's feet go down to death, meaning that her choices and actions lead to destruction, as seen in Proverbs 5:5. We can learn from this verse by being mindful of the choices we make and the company we keep, and by seeking wisdom and following God's commandments, as encouraged in Proverbs 4:10-15 and Deuteronomy 30:19. By doing so, we can avoid the path that leads to death and instead follow the path of life, as described in Proverbs 5:6 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that her feet go down to death?
This phrase is a metaphorical expression meaning that the path of the forbidden woman leads to spiritual death and separation from God, as seen in Proverbs 5:5, and is a consequence of sin as described in Romans 6:23.
What is Sheol in the Bible?
Sheol is a term used in the Old Testament to describe the place of the dead, often associated with darkness and separation from God, as seen in Psalm 9:17 and Proverbs 5:5.
How can we avoid the path that leads to death?
We can avoid this path by following God's commandments and seeking wisdom, as encouraged in Proverbs 4:10-15 and Deuteronomy 30:19, and by being mindful of the company we keep, as warned in Proverbs 5:3-6.
Is this verse only talking about women who are forbidden or immoral?
While the context of Proverbs 5 is addressing the temptation of an immoral woman, the principle applies to anyone who is tempted to sin and follow a path that leads to destruction, as seen in Proverbs 5:5 and 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be tempted to follow a path that leads to death, and how can I resist those temptations?
- How can I prioritize seeking wisdom and following God's commandments in my daily life, as encouraged in Proverbs 4:10-15?
- What are some warning signs that I may be on a path that leads to destruction, and how can I get back on track?
- How can I use Proverbs 5:5 as a reminder to be mindful of the company I keep and the influences in my life, as warned in Proverbs 5:3-6 and 1 Corinthians 15:33?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 5:5
Her feet go down to death,.... The ways in which she walks, and in which she leads others, issue oftentimes in corporeal death; and always in eternal death, if grace prevent not; and unless men are
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 5:5
Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell - in awful contrast to "taking hold of the paths of life" (Proverbs 2:19).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 5:5
Her feet; her course or manner of life.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 5:5
Proverbs 5:5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.Ver. 5. Her feet go down to death.] The Romans were wont to have their funerals at the gates of Venus’ s temple, to signify that lust was the harbinger and hastener of death, saith Plutarch. As for whores, they were of old shut out of the city, and forced to seek places among the graves. Hence they were called Maechae bustuariae. De scortis dictum inter busta prostrantibus, saith Turnebus. Her steps take hold on hell.] Whither she is hastening, and hurrying with her all her stallions and paramours, and where, "by how much more deliciously they have lived, by so much more they shall have of sorrow and torment." Lib. advers, xiii. 19.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 5:5
(5) Take hold on hell.—They lead straight to it.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 5:5
Verse 5. Her feet go down to death] She first, like a serpent, infuses her poison, by which the whole constitution of her paramour is infected, which soon or late brings on death. Her steps take hold on hell.] First, the death of the body; and then the damnation of the soul. These are the tendencies of connections with such women.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 5:5
5. hell] Sheol, R.V. “which signifies the abode of departed spirits, and corresponds to the Greek Hades” (εἰςτὸνᾅδην, LXX., ad inferos, Vulg. here). See R.V. Preface.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 5:5
5. Down to death — Intercourse with her leads to certain destruction. Hell — ùׁ ?àåì, (sheol,) the under world, according to the conceptions of the ancients. The place of departed spirits.