Bible Strands
Proverbs 5:3
Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author of Proverbs addresses a young man, issuing this warning immediately after instructing him to maintain discretion and preserve knowledge with his lips. The statement opens a longer discourse warning against the consequences of illicit sexual relationships.
The words — The Hebrew נֹפֶת תִּטֹּפְנָה (nophet tittofnah) literally means "honey drips," describing the forbidden woman's lips. The phrase חָלָק מִשֶּׁמֶן (chalak misshemen) translates to "smoother than oil," emphasizing the deceptive attractiveness of her speech.
The thread — This motif of seductive but dangerous speech appears in Proverbs 2:16 and Proverbs 6:24, which warn against the stranger and adulteress with smooth tongues. The same imagery of butter-like speech masking violence is echoed in Psalms 55:21.
Why it lands — The text demands immediate vigilance against persuasive but destructive influences before their consequences become apparent. It requires the reader to recognize that appealing words often precede severe harm.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
Cross-references
- Proverbs 2:16 It will rescue you from the forbidden woman, from the stranger with seductive words
- Proverbs 6:24 to keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
- 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.
- Proverbs 7:5 that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.
- Proverbs 7:21 With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him.
- Revelation 17:2 The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.”