1 My son, attend unto my wisdom; Incline thine ear to my understanding:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- My son H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- attend H7181 (קָשַׁב) — to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken
- unto my wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- bow H5186 (נָטָה) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
- thine ear H241 (אֹזֶן) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
- to my understanding H8394 (תָּבוּן) — intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
2 That thou mayest preserve discretion, And that thy lips may keep knowledge.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- That thou mayest regard H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- discretion H4209 (מְזִמָּה) — a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity)
- thy lips H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
- may keep H5341 (נָצַר) — to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
- knowledge H1847 (דַּעַת) — knowledge
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For the lips H8193 (שָׂפָה) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
- of a strange woman H2114 (זוּר) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
- drop H5197 (נָטַף) — to ooze, i.e. distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak by inspiration
- an honeycomb H5317 (נֹפֶת) — a dripping i.e. of honey (from the comb)
- and her mouth H2441 (חֵךְ) — properly, the palate or inside of the mouth; hence, the mouth itself (as the organ of speech, taste and kissing)
- smoother H2509 (חָלָק) — smooth (especially of tongue)
- than oil H8081 (שֶׁמֶן) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
4 But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- But her end H319 (אַחֲרִית) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
- is bitter H4751 (מַר) — bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly
- as wormwood H3939 (לַעֲנָה) — wormwood (regarded as poisonous, and therefore accursed)
- sharp H2299 (חַד) — sharp
- as a twoedged H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- sword H2719 (חֶרֶב) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
5 Her feet go down to death; Her steps take hold on Sheol;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Her feet H7272 (רֶגֶל) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
- go down H3381 (יָרַד) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively,…
- to death H4194 (מָוֶת) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
- her steps H6806 (צַעַד) — a pace or regular step
- take hold H8551 (תָּמַךְ) — to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close
- on hell H7585 (שְׁאוֹל) — hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
6 So that she findeth not the level path of life: Her ways are unstable, and she knoweth it not.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Lest thou shouldest ponder H6424 (פָּלַס) — properly, to roll flat, i.e. prepare (a road); also to revolve, i.e. weigh (mentally)
- the path H734 (אֹרַח) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
- of life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
- her ways H4570 (מַעְגָּל) — a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular)
- are moveable H5128 (נוּעַ) — to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined)
- thou canst not know H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
7 Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me, And depart not from the words of my mouth.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Hear H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
- me now therefore, O ye children H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- and depart H5493 (סוּר) — to turn off (literally or figuratively)
- not from the words H561 (אֵמֶר) — something said
- of my mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
8 Remove thy way far from her, And come not nigh the door of her house;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Remove H7368 (רָחַק) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
- thy way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- far H7368 (רָחַק) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
- from her, and come not nigh H7126 (קָרַב) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
- the door H6607 (פֶּתַח) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way
- of her house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
9 Lest thou give thine honor unto others, And thy years unto the cruel;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Lest thou give H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- thine honour H1935 (הוֹד) — grandeur (i.e. an imposing form and appearance)
- unto others H312 (אַחֵר) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.
- and thy years H8141 (שָׁנֶה) — a year (as a revolution of time)
- unto the cruel H394 (אַכְזָרִי) — terrible
10 Lest strangers be filled with thy strength, And thy labors be in the house of an alien,Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Lest strangers H2114 (זוּר) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
- be filled H7646 (שָׂבַע) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
- with thy wealth H3581 (כֹּחַ) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard
- and thy labours H6089 (עֶצֶב) — an earthen vessel; usually (painful) toil; also a pang (whether of body or mind)
- in the house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- of a stranger H5237 (נׇכְרִי) — strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
11 And thou mourn at thy latter end, When thy flesh and thy body are consumed,Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And thou mourn H5098 (נָהַם) — to growl
- at the last H319 (אַחֲרִית) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
- when thy flesh H1320 (בָּשָׂר) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
- and thy body H7607 (שְׁאֵר) — flesh (as swelling out), as living or for food; generally food of any kind; figuratively, kindred by blood
- are consumed H3615 (כָּלָה) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
12 And say, How have I hated instruction, And my heart despised reproof;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And say H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- How have I hated H8130 (שָׂנֵא) — to hate (personally)
- instruction H4148 (מוּסָר) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint
- and my heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- despised H5006 (נָאַץ) — to scorn; or (in Ecclesiastes 12:5), by interchange for 5132, to bloom
- reproof H8433 (תּוֹכֵחָה) — chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence)
13 Neither have I obeyed the voice of my teachers, Nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And have not obeyed H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
- the voice H6963 (קוֹל) — a voice or sound
- of my teachers H3384 (יָרָה) — properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the f…
- nor inclined H5186 (נָטָה) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
- mine ear H241 (אֹזֶן) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
- to them that instructed H3925 (לָמַד) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive)
14 I was well-nigh in all evil In the midst of the assembly and congregation.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I was almost H4592 (מְעַט) — a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
- in all evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- in the midst H8432 (תָּוֶךְ) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre
- of the congregation H6951 (קָהָל) — assemblage (usually concretely)
- and assembly H5712 (עֵדָה) — a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, And running waters out of thine own well.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Drink H8354 (שָׁתָה) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
- waters H4325 (מַיִם) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
- out of thine own cistern H953 (בּוֹר) — a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)
- and running waters H5140 (נָזַל) — to drip, or shed by trickling
- out of H8432 (תָּוֶךְ) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre
- thine own well H875 (בְּאֵר) — a pit; especially a well
16 Should thy springs be dispersed abroad, And streams of water in the streets?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Let thy fountains H4599 (מַעְיָן) — a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)
- be dispersed H6327 (פּוּץ) — to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
- abroad H2351 (חוּץ) — properly, separate by a wall, i.e. outside, outdoors
- rivers H6388 (פֶּלֶג) — a rill (i.e. small channel of water, as in irrigation)
- of waters H4325 (מַיִם) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
- in the streets H7339 (רְחֹב) — a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area
17 Let them be for thyself alone, And not for strangers with thee.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ H2114 (זוּר) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
18 Let thy fountain be blessed; And rejoice in the wife of thy youth.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Let thy fountain H4726 (מָקוֹר) — properly, something dug, i.e. a (general) source (of water, even when naturally flowing; also of tears, blood (by euphemism, of the female pudenda); figurativel…
- be blessed H1288 (בָּרַךְ) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason)
- and rejoice H8055 (שָׂמַח) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
- with the wife H802 (אִשָּׁה) — a woman
- of thy youth H5271 (נָעוּר) — (only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)
19 As a loving hind and a pleasant doe, Let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; And be thou ravished always with her love.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- the loving H158 (אַהַב) — affection (in a good or a bad sense)
- hind H365 (אַיֶּלֶת) — a doe
- and pleasant H2580 (חֵן) — graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
- roe H3280 (יַעֲלָה)
- let her breasts H1717 (דַּד) — the breast (as the seat of love, or from its shape)
- satisfy H7301 (רָוָה) — to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites)
- thee at all times H6256 (עֵת) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.
- and be thou ravished H7686 (שָׁגָה) — to stray (causatively, mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress; by extension (through the idea of intoxication) to reel,…
- always H8548 (תָּמִיד) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the regular (dai…
- with her love H160 (אַהֲבָה)
20 For why shouldest thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And why wilt thou, my son H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- be ravished H7686 (שָׁגָה) — to stray (causatively, mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress; by extension (through the idea of intoxication) to reel,…
- with a strange woman H2114 (זוּר) — to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
- and embrace H2263 (חָבַק) — to clasp (the hands or in embrace)
- the bosom H2436 (חֵיק) — the bosom (literally or figuratively)
- of a stranger H5237 (נׇכְרִי) — strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of Jehovah; And he maketh level all his paths.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For the ways H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- of man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- before H5227 (נֹכַח) — properly, the front part; used adverbially (especially with preposition), opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of
- the eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- of Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
- and he pondereth H6424 (פָּלַס) — properly, to roll flat, i.e. prepare (a road); also to revolve, i.e. weigh (mentally)
- all his goings H4570 (מַעְגָּל) — a track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as circular)
22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked, And he shall be holden with the cords of his sin.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- His own iniquities H5771 (עָוֺן) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil
- shall take H3920 (לָכַד) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
- the wicked H7563 (רָשָׁע) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
- himself, and he shall be holden H8551 (תָּמַךְ) — to sustain; by implication, to obtain, keep fast; figuratively, to help, follow close
- with the cords H2256 (חֶבֶל) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or inheritance (as measured); or a noose (as of cords); figuratively, a company (as…
- of his sins H2403 (חַטָּאָה) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
23 He shall die for lack of instruction; And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He shall die H4191 (מוּת) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
- without instruction H4148 (מוּסָר) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint
- and in the greatness H7230 (רֹב) — abundance (in any respect)
- of his folly H200 (אִוֶּלֶת) — silliness
- he shall go astray H7686 (שָׁגָה) — to stray (causatively, mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake, especially (morally) to transgress; by extension (through the idea of intoxication) to reel,…