Bible Strands
Proverbs 6:26
For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author of Proverbs addresses a student, issuing this warning immediately after instructing him not to lust in his heart or be captivated by a woman’s eyes.
The words — The phrase בְעַד־ זוֹנָה (ve.'ad- zo.nah) literally renders "the price of the prostitute," while אֵ֥שֶׁת (ve./'E.shet) translates directly to "wife" or "woman."
The thread — This theme of financial ruin from sexual immorality runs through Proverbs 29:3 and the prodigal son's squandering in Luke 15:30.
Why it lands — The text demands a clear-eyed assessment of consequences, framing illicit sexual pursuit as a transaction that costs both wealth and life.
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 by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
Cross-references
- Luke 15:30 But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
- Proverbs 29:3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
- Genesis 39:14 she called her household servants. “Look,” she said, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us. He came to me so he could sleep with me, but I screamed as loud as I could.
- 1 Samuel 2:36 And everyone left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver or a morsel of bread, pleading, “Please appoint me to some priestly office so that I can eat a piece of bread.”’”
- Proverbs 5:10 lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich the house of a foreigner.
- Proverbs 7:23 until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare—not knowing it will cost him his life.
- Proverbs 29:8 Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger.
- Ezekiel 13:8 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have uttered vain words and seen false visions, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD.
- Ezekiel 13:18 and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their wrists and make veils for the heads of people of every height, in order to ensnare their souls. Will you ensnare the souls of My people but preserve your own?
- Luke 15:13 After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living.