Proverbs 5:9
Proverbs 5:9 in Multiple Translations
lest you concede your vigor to others, and your years to one who is cruel;
Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
Lest thou give thine honor unto others, And thy years unto the cruel;
For fear that you may give your honour to others, and your wealth to strange men:
Otherwise you'll surrender your honor to others, and your character to cruel people.
Least thou giue thine honor vnto others, and thy yeeres to the cruell:
Lest thou give to others thy honour, And thy years to the fierce,
lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel one;
Lest thou give thy honor to others, and thy years to the cruel:
Give not thy honour to strangers, and thy years to the cruel.
If you enter the home of one of them, you will lose your ◄self-respect/good reputation► and that woman’s husband will not act mercifully toward you; he will kill you and take everything that you have acquired during your life!
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 5:9
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 5:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
פֶּן
תִּתֵּ֣ן
לַ/אֲחֵרִ֣ים
הוֹדֶ֑/ךָ
וּ֝/שְׁנֹתֶ֗י/ךָ
לְ/אַכְזָרִֽי
פֶּן
pên
H6435
lest
Conj
תִּתֵּ֣ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
לַ/אֲחֵרִ֣ים
ʼachêr
H312
another
Prep | Adj
הוֹדֶ֑/ךָ
hôwd
H1935
splendor
N-ms | Suff
וּ֝/שְׁנֹתֶ֗י/ךָ
shâneh
H8141
year
Conj | N-fp | Suff
לְ/אַכְזָרִֽי
ʼakzârîy
H394
cruel
Prep | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 5:9
פֶּן
pên
H6435
"lest"
Conj
This word is used to express caution or warning, similar to saying 'lest' or 'beware that'. It is often used in the Bible to advise against certain actions or to warn of potential consequences.
Definition: conj 1) lest, not, beware lest adv 2) lest
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: (lest) (peradventure), that...not. See also: Genesis 3:3; Judges 14:15; Psalms 2:12.
תִּתֵּ֣ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לַ/אֲחֵרִ֣ים
ʼachêr
H312
"another"
Prep | Adj
Means another or next in the original Hebrew, often referring to someone or something that follows or is different. It appears in various contexts, including descriptions of people and events in the Bible.
Definition: 1) another, other, following 1a) following, further 1b) other, different
Usage: Occurs in 161 OT verses. KJV: (an-) other man, following, next, strange. See also: Genesis 4:25; 1 Kings 13:10; Psalms 16:4.
הוֹדֶ֑/ךָ
hôwd
H1935
"splendor"
N-ms | Suff
This word describes something as glorious or majestic, like God's splendor in Psalm 138:5. It's about an impressive appearance or grandeur.
Definition: splendour, majesty, vigour
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honour, majesty. See also: Numbers 27:20; Psalms 111:3; Psalms 8:2.
וּ֝/שְׁנֹתֶ֗י/ךָ
shâneh
H8141
"year"
Conj | N-fp | Suff
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
לְ/אַכְזָרִֽי
ʼakzârîy
H394
"cruel"
Prep | Adj
This Hebrew word means cruel, describing someone who is harsh or unkind. It appears in the Bible to describe cruel people. The KJV translates it as cruel.
Definition: cruel
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: cruel (one). See also: Proverbs 5:9; Isaiah 13:9; Proverbs 11:17.
Study Notes — Proverbs 5:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 5:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 5:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 5:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 5:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 5:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 5:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 5:9
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 5:9
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 5:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 5:9
- Sermons on Proverbs 5:9
Context — Avoiding Immorality
7So now, my sons, listen to me, and do not turn aside from the words of my mouth.
8Keep your path far from her; do not go near the door of her house,
9lest you concede your vigor to others, and your years to one who is cruel;
10lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich the house of a foreigner. 11At the end of your life you will groan when your flesh and your body are spent,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nehemiah 13:26 | Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin. |
| 2 | Hosea 4:13–14 | They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin. |
| 3 | Genesis 38:23–26 | “Let her keep the items,” Judah replied. “Otherwise we will become a laughingstock. After all, I did send her this young goat, but you could not find her.” About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!” As she was being brought out, Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Please examine them. Whose seal and cord and staff are these?” Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again. |
| 4 | Judges 16:19–21 | 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. |
| 5 | Proverbs 6:29–35 | 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. |
Proverbs 5:9 Summary
[This verse is warning us about the dangers of getting involved with people who will drain our energy and vitality, and use us for their own selfish purposes, as seen in Proverbs 5:9. It's like giving away our precious time and strength to someone who doesn't care about us, which can lead to a life of regret and sorrow. We need to be careful about the company we keep and the relationships we pursue, and make sure they align with God's will for our lives, as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:33 and Ephesians 5:15-17. By being mindful of this, we can use our vigor and years to serve God and others, and live a life that is fulfilling and purposeful.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to concede our vigor to others?
To concede our vigor to others means to give away our strength, energy, and vitality to those who do not have our best interests at heart, as warned in Proverbs 5:9, which can lead to a life of regret and sorrow, as seen in Proverbs 23:20-21.
How can we avoid giving our years to one who is cruel?
We can avoid giving our years to one who is cruel by being cautious in our relationships and not getting entangled with those who do not share our values or have a history of mistreating others, as advised in Proverbs 22:24-25 and 1 Corinthians 15:33.
What are the consequences of ignoring this warning?
Ignoring this warning can lead to a life of misery, shame, and regret, as our vigor and years are spent on fleeting pleasures and unfulfilling relationships, rather than being used for God's purposes, as seen in Ephesians 5:15-17 and 1 Peter 4:3.
How can we apply this verse to our modern lives?
We can apply this verse to our modern lives by being mindful of the company we keep, the relationships we pursue, and the habits we form, ensuring that they align with God's will and purposes for our lives, as stated in Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be conceding my vigor to others, and how can I take steps to reclaim it?
- How can I discern whether a relationship or habit is draining my energy and vitality, and what boundaries can I set to protect myself?
- In what ways can I use my vigor and years to serve God and others, rather than wasting them on selfish pursuits?
- What are some warning signs that I may be giving my years to one who is cruel, and how can I escape from such a situation?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 5:9
Lest thou give thine honour unto others,.... To strumpets, their children, attendants, servants, and friends; that is, either wealth or riches, which make men honourable; or their three, credit, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 5:9
Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: Lest thou give thine honour unto others. "Thine honour" - i:e., thy chastity and purity.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 5:9
Thine honour; thy dignity and reputation, the strength and rigour of thy body and mind, which is an honour to a man, and which are commonly wasted by adulterous practices. Unto others; unto whores, and their husbands, and children, and friends. Thy years; the flower of thine age, thy youthful years. Unto the cruel; to the harlot, who though she pretends ardent love and kindness to thee, yet in truth is one of the most cruel creatures in the world, wasting thy estate and, body without the least pity, and then casting thee off with scorn. and contempt; and when her interest requires it, taking away thy very life, of which there are innumerable examples, and damning thy soul for ever.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 5:9
Proverbs 5:9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:Ver. 9. Lest thou give thine honour,] i.e., Whatsoever within thee, or without thee, may make thee honourable or esteemed, as the flower of thine age, the comeliness of thy body, the excellency of thy wit, thy possibility of preferment, that good opinion that the better sort had of thee, &c. How was David slighted by his own children and servants after he had thus sinned! Compare 1 Samuel 2:30 with 2 Samuel 12:10. Chastity is a man’ s honour. And their years,] i.e., According to some, Thy wealth that thou hast been many years in gathering; πλουτος quasi πολυετος. To the cruel.] That is, To the harlot and her bastardly brood, whom thou must maintain. The Hebrews expound it of the devil. To the cruel - i.e., principi gehennae, saith Solomon; angelo morris, saith another; to the Prince of Hell, to this Angel of Death. Aczar, the Hebrew word, properly signifies, saith one, "the poison of the asp," which paineth not at first, but is deadly.
Castus; quasi καστος, ornatus, αγνος, ab αγος, venerabills.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 5:9
(9) Thine honour.—Rather, freshness, vigour. Thy years.—The best years of thy life. Unto the cruel.—That is the temptress herself, or her hangers-on and associates, whose sole idea is plunder.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 5:9
Verse 9. Lest thou give thine honour] The character of a debauchee is universally detested: by this, even those of noble blood lose their honour and respect. Thy years unto the cruel] Though all the blandishments of love dwell on the tongue, and the excess of fondness appear in the whole demeanour of the harlot and the prostitute; yet cruelty has its throne in their hearts; and they will rob and murder (when it appears to answer their ends) those who give their strength, their wealth, and their years to them. The unfaithful wife has often murdered her own husband for the sake of her paramour, and has given him over to justice in order to save herself. Murders have often taken place in brothels, as well as robberies; for the vice of prostitution is one of the parents of cruelty.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 5:9
9. others] instead of to thine own, Proverbs 5:15; Proverbs 5:17. Comp. Proverbs 5:10.the cruel] The Heb. noun is masc. sing. and is intended perhaps vividly to describe the sin with its cruel consequences (Proverbs 6:26; Proverbs 6:31-35; Proverbs 7:22-23; Proverbs 7:26) as a merciless personal Avenger. LXX. ἀνελεήμοσιν, taking the Heb. word apparently as a collective noun.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 5:9
Thine honor - i. e., “The grace and freshness of thy youth” (compare Hosea 14:6; Daniel 10:8). The thought of this is to guard the young man against the sins that stain and mar it.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 5:9
9. Thine honour — äåãêְ, thy vigour, bloom, strength; the glory of thy manhood.
Sermons on Proverbs 5:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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His Wives Turned Away His Heart. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer warns that every individual has a vulnerable point in their character, as exemplified by Solomon, whose heart was turned away from God by his foreign wives. Despite his |
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Be Strong and Do Exploits by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the current state of the Church of Jesus Christ, describing it as "sleeping through revolution." He emphasizes that while the world is consta |
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What Is the Secret of Your Strength - Part 2 (Alternative) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of studying and preaching the word of God. He shares various anecdotes and examples to illustrate his points. He encourages y |