Study notes

Proverbs 6

Introducing ProverbsWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

1:8–9:18 Section

In this section of the book of Proverbs, a father speaks to his son. The father and the mother have taught the son how to live well. They have taught him with their words and with the example of how they live. The father urges the son to live according to what they have taught him.

The advice from the parents is about many things. It’s about being humble and trusting God completely. It’s about the son guarding his heart. The son’s heart is where he makes decisions. The advice is about the son saying no when he is tempted to do evil. This includes stealing and getting rich in ways that aren’t honest. It includes refusing to share with others. It includes lying, being jealous and having sex with another man’s wife.

The advice is also about becoming wise. People begin to be wise when they respect God. Wisdom is something that God gives. He wants all human beings to have it. God gives wisdom freely to those who ask for it. This is made clear in the poems about wisdom and in James 1:5.

Wisdom is described as a woman who calls out to everyone in public. She invites everyone to come to her house and share in a feast. This means that people listen to wisdom and obey wise teachings. That is how people get wisdom. Obeying wise instructions leads to health, riches, success and honour. That is the pattern of life that the parents have noticed. That is the pattern they want their son’s life to follow.

Wisdom is also described as the first thing that God created. Wisdom was with God when he created the world. Wisdom was full of joy and delight as God created the world and all people. This shows that wisdom can also be learnt by studying creation.

The poems about wisdom talk about foolishness being the opposite of wisdom. Foolishness is described as a woman who knows nothing and is full of pride. She treats others badly. Like wisdom, foolishness also calls out to everyone and invites them to a feast. But obeying her instructions leads to danger, suffering, trouble, shame and death.

6:1–5

To secure someone else's debt means to use your own possessions as a guarantee. Whether you do this to gain a friend's goodwill or to profit from a stranger (see Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36–37; Deuteronomy 23:19–20), the risk is too high. It could lead to financial ruin. This warning is repeated in Proverbs 11:15; 17:18; 20:16; 22:26; 27:13.

6:3–5

free yourself: The risk of disaster is so high that escaping is a matter of life and death, like animals trapped.

6:6–11

Lazy people sleep instead of preparing for what they need (see also Proverbs 24:33–34). They are the opposite of self-motivated and hardworking ants.
Extra sleep and more slumber sarcastically describe a lazy person’s ambition.

6:10–11

Laziness leads to poverty. It will arrive quickly and harshly, like when a robber or bandit attacks and steals. See parallel passage Proverbs 24:33–34.

6:12–15

Eyes...feet...fingers...heart: These body parts describe a person's overall character, not just a single foolish act.

6:13

Winking...speaking...pointing: These were signals used to deceive innocent people.

6:15

Even if bad people seem to succeed, they will face sudden punishment.

6:16–19

The first line shows a number, and the second line increases it by one. This method, called number parallelism, introduces a list of items. It often highlights the most important final item (see also Proverbs 30:15–23).

6:19

A false witness distorts the truth in court or in daily conversation.

6:20–35

This passage highlights the serious danger of having a relationship with another man's wife (see also Proverbs 1:8, 23; 2:16–22; 5:1–23; 7:1–27).

6:24–25

The immoral woman uses flattering words and physical beauty to attract young men.

6:26

Sleeping with a prostitute has consequences, and sleeping with another man's wife can be dangerous. Her husband may seek revenge (Proverbs 6:34–35), and God observes and judges.

6:27–29

walk on hot coals: Yes, this will cause his feet to blister. The results are terrible.

6:30–31

Sevenfold likely means "a large amount" because the law did not require such high repayment (see Exodus 22:1, 4, 9).

6:32–35

A thief might face severe punishment, even if he had a reason for his actions. However, his punishment is less severe than that of an adulterer, who has no excuse for his crime. A jealous husband will demand the maximum punishment allowed by law, which is death (Deuteronomy 22:22).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources