Proverbs 5:20

And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

Proverbs 5:20 (KJV)

Context

This verse sits within a father’s warning in Proverbs 5 about the dangers of adultery and the value of marital faithfulness. The book of Proverbs is wisdom literature, giving practical guidance for living rightly. Here a father, likely King Solomon, speaks directly to his son. The whole chapter urges the young man to stay far from the seductive woman and to find joy in his own wife.

Meaning

The question “why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman” exposes the foolishness of being captivated by someone outside marriage. The word “ravished” means to be led astray or intoxicated, as if the heart is carried away against good judgment. The “strange woman” and “stranger” refer to an adulteress or another man’s wife, someone outside the covenant of marriage. “Embrace the bosom of a stranger” pictures the intimate act of holding someone who is not one’s spouse. The rhetorical form implies there is no good reason to abandon the pure joys of marriage for a fleeting and destructive relationship.

Biblical connections

Proverbs 5:15-19 celebrates the wife of one’s youth, urging the husband to rejoice in her love and be satisfied with her. Verse 20 stands in direct contrast, asking why anyone would trade that blessing for the embrace of a stranger. Later in the same chapter, Proverbs 5:21 reminds the reader that the Lord sees all a person’s ways, so secret sin is never truly hidden. The chapter also warns that adultery leads to ruin and death, showing that the cost is far greater than the brief pleasure.

Application

This warning applies to every believer, not only to young men. Temptation often appears attractive, but it leads to loss of honour, damaged reputation, and broken trust. Faithfulness requires deliberate choices: guard your eyes, avoid compromising situations, and invest in your own marriage. If you are not married, honour God by keeping sexual intimacy for the marriage covenant. The verse calls you to see adultery as the foolish trade it truly is, and to cherish the spouse God has given you.

Reflection

Why would anyone exchange lasting joy for a moment of stolen pleasure? The question invites honest self-examination. Consider whether your heart is drawn toward what God forbids. Confess any wandering thoughts, and ask God to renew your love for your spouse or your commitment to purity. Let the wisdom of this fatherly instruction shape your daily choices, so that your life honours God and protects the sacred bond of marriage.