The Explained Book of Proverbs Chapter 6

The Explained Book of Proverbs Chapter 6 by Anietie Hanson

 Study Bible: Proverbs Chapter 6 – Warnings Against Foolishness, Laziness, and Wickedness

Introduction

Proverbs Chapter 6 provides a collection of Solomon’s wisdom addressing practical life challenges, moral failings, and spiritual dangers. In this chapter, Solomon offers specific warnings against unwise financial commitments, laziness, and wickedness, culminating in a caution against adultery. Through vivid metaphors and practical advice, the chapter teaches the importance of personal responsibility, hard work, integrity, and moral purity. The overarching theme is that foolish choices, if uncorrected, lead to ruin, while wisdom safeguards one’s life.

This chapter has 35 verses and can be divided into four main sections:

1. The Danger of Surety and Financial Recklessness (verses 1–5)
2. A Call to Diligence: The Lesson from the Ant (verses 6–11)
3. The Wicked Man and the Seven Things God Hates (verses 12–19)
4. The Warning Against Adultery (verses 20–35)

Let’s carefully examine and explain each verse, delving into its profound spiritual and practical lessons.

Explanation

The Danger of Surety and Financial Recklessness (Verses 1–5)

Proverbs 6:1 "My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge with a stranger,"

• Explanation: Solomon begins with a warning about becoming financially liable for another person’s debts, symbolized by striking hands in a pledge. "Collateral" refers to guaranteeing another’s loan, a practice that often led to personal ruin. The verse reflects the biblical principle of prudence in financial dealings, as echoed in Proverbs 22:26-27, which warns against putting up security for debts you cannot repay.

Proverbs 6:2 "you are trapped by the words of your mouth; you are ensnared with the words of your mouth."

• Explanation: The imagery of being "trapped" and "ensnared" highlights the power of words, especially in making rash commitments. This verse underscores the consequences of impulsive promises, resonating with Ecclesiastes 5:5, which advises against making vows one cannot fulfill.

Proverbs 6:3 "Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, since you have come into the hand of your neighbor. Go, humble yourself. Press your plea with your neighbor."

• Explanation: Solomon urges immediate action to escape financial entanglements. "Humble yourself" conveys a posture of urgency and humility, as one must prioritize rectifying the situation. This principle aligns with Matthew 5:25, where Jesus advises settling matters quickly to avoid greater consequences.

Proverbs 6:4 "Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids."

• Explanation: This vivid command stresses the urgency of resolving financial obligations without delay. The metaphor of sacrificing sleep illustrates the importance of addressing such commitments with diligence and determination, reflecting Proverbs 22:3, which states that a prudent person foresees danger and acts.

Proverbs 6:5 "Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler."

• Explanation: The comparison to a gazelle and a bird captures the desperation and swiftness required to escape the trap of financial recklessness. This resonates with Psalm 124:7, where escaping the fowler’s snare symbolizes deliverance from peril.

A Call to Diligence: The Lesson from the Ant (Verses 6–11)

Proverbs 6:6 "Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise;"

• Explanation: Solomon uses the ant as a model of diligence and foresight. Despite its small size, the ant demonstrates wisdom by preparing for the future without external oversight. This lesson challenges the "sluggard" (lazy person) to emulate the ant’s industriousness and initiative.

Proverbs 6:7 "which having no chief, overseer, or ruler,"

• Explanation: The ant operates independently, requiring no external authority to guide its work. This highlights the value of self-discipline and personal responsibility, as seen in Colossians 3:23, where believers are called to work wholeheartedly as unto the Lord.

Proverbs 6:8 "provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest."

• Explanation: The ant’s preparation during summer and harvest underscores the importance of planning ahead and seizing opportunities. This mirrors Proverbs 30:25, which praises the ant for storing food in advance, reminding readers of the consequences of procrastination.

Proverbs 6:9 "How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep?"

• Explanation: Solomon rebukes laziness with rhetorical questions, urging the sluggard to awaken to the responsibilities of life. This connects with Ephesians 5:14, which calls believers to rise from spiritual slumber and live purposefully.

Proverbs 6:10 "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;"

• Explanation: This repetition illustrates the slippery slope of laziness, where small compromises lead to stagnation. "A little folding of the hands" symbolizes inaction, reflecting the warning in Proverbs 24:33-34 that such habits result in poverty.

Proverbs 6:11 "so your poverty will come as a robber and your scarcity as an armed man."

• Explanation: Laziness invites sudden and unavoidable poverty, likened to a robber or armed man. This vivid metaphor warns that neglecting diligence can lead to dire consequences, emphasizing the need for proactive effort to avoid scarcity.

The Wicked Man and the Seven Things God Hates (Verses 12–19)

Proverbs 6:12 "A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth;"

• Explanation: The "worthless person" refers to one whose life is characterized by moral corruption and deceitful speech. "Perverse mouth" symbolizes dishonesty and manipulation, which contrast starkly with the integrity called for in Proverbs 10:9.

Proverbs 6:13 "who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions with his fingers;"

·         Explanation: This verse describes the deceptive actions of the wicked, using body language to manipulate and conceal their intentions. "Winking with the eyes" and "signaling with the feet" symbolize covert schemes and deceitful behaviors. This aligns with Psalm 35:19, where malicious individuals are said to wink with their eyes while plotting evil.

Proverbs 6:14 "in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord."

·         Explanation: The heart of the wicked is filled with "perverseness," representing moral corruption and rebellion against God’s ways. "Devises evil continually" highlights the persistent nature of their schemes, while "sows discord" reflects their intent to disrupt peace and unity, contrasting with God’s call to reconciliation (Matthew 5:9).

Proverbs 6:15 "Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy."

·         Explanation: The wicked face sudden and irreversible judgment, described as being "broken without remedy." This highlights the consequences of unrepentant sin and echoes Proverbs 29:1, which warns that repeated rejection of correction leads to destruction.

Proverbs 6:16 "There are six things which God hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him:"

·         Explanation: This introduction to the list of seven abominations emphasizes their detestable nature in God’s sight. The structure ("six...seven") is a poetic device often used to highlight completeness or emphasis, as seen in Amos 1:3-4. These sins represent fundamental violations of God’s character and moral law.

Proverbs 6:17 "arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,"

·         Explanation: The first three abominations—"arrogant eyes," "lying tongue," and "hands that shed innocent blood"—reflect pride, deceit, and violence. "Arrogant eyes" symbolize haughtiness and self-exaltation, condemned in Proverbs 16:18. "Lying tongue" portrays dishonesty, a sin repeatedly condemned (Psalm 101:7). "Innocent blood" refers to acts of injustice and murder, echoing God’s command in Exodus 20:13.

Proverbs 6:18 "a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief,"

·         Explanation: The fourth and fifth abominations highlight intentional and active participation in evil. The "heart devising wicked schemes" reflects premeditated sin, while "feet swift to mischief" symbolizes eagerness to pursue wrongdoing, contrasting with the call to walk in righteousness (Psalm 1:1-2).

Proverbs 6:19 "a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers."

·         Explanation: The final two abominations emphasize relational sins. "False witness" refers to deceitful testimony that undermines justice and integrity (Exodus 20:16). "Sowing discord among brothers" highlights actions that disrupt community harmony, directly opposing God’s desire for unity (John 17:21).

The Warning Against Adultery (Verses 20–35)

Proverbs 6:20 "My son, keep your father’s commandment, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching."

·         Explanation: Solomon urges the reader to honor and adhere to parental guidance, recognizing the foundational role of family instruction in imparting wisdom. This aligns with Ephesians 6:1, which calls children to obey their parents in the Lord.

Proverbs 6:21 "Bind them continually on your heart. Tie them around your neck."

·         Explanation: The imagery of binding wisdom to the heart and neck highlights the importance of internalizing and outwardly displaying God’s commandments. This mirrors Deuteronomy 6:8, which encourages binding God’s Word as a sign on one’s body.

Proverbs 6:22 "When you walk, it will lead you. When you sleep, it will watch over you. When you awake, it will talk with you."

·         Explanation: Wisdom is portrayed as a constant companion, offering guidance, protection, and counsel in every aspect of life. This reflects Psalm 119:105, where God’s Word is described as a lamp to the feet and a light for the path.

Proverbs 6:23 "For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,"

·         Explanation: God’s commandments illuminate the path of righteousness, likened to a lamp and light. "Reproofs of instruction" emphasize correction as vital for growth, echoing Psalm 19:8, where God’s laws bring enlightenment.

Proverbs 6:24 "to keep you from the immoral woman, from the flattery of the wayward wife’s tongue."

·         Explanation: Wisdom acts as a safeguard against the seductive influence of immorality. "Immoral woman" and "wayward wife" symbolize temptations that lead to ruin, echoing Proverbs 5:3-5.

Proverbs 6:25 "Don’t lust after her beauty in your heart, neither let her captivate you with her eyelids."

·         Explanation: Solomon warns against being enticed by outward beauty, recognizing the dangers of lustful desires. "Captivate with her eyelids" symbolizes manipulative allure, contrasting with Job 31:1, where Job makes a covenant with his eyes to avoid sin.

Proverbs 6:26 "For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread. The adulteress hunts for your precious life."

·         Explanation: This verse illustrates the devastating cost of immorality. A "piece of bread" symbolizes destitution and loss of dignity, while the adulteress "hunting for your precious life" highlights the spiritual and physical dangers of adultery. This warning aligns with Proverbs 5:11, which describes the regret and ruin caused by sin.

Proverbs 6:27 "Can a man scoop fire into his lap, and his clothes not be burned?"

·         Explanation: Solomon uses the metaphor of fire to portray the destructive nature of adultery. Just as fire cannot be handled without harm, engaging in sin inevitably leads to damage and consequences. This aligns with Romans 6:23, which warns that the wages of sin is death.

Proverbs 6:28 "Or can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be scorched?"

·         Explanation: This rhetorical question reinforces the inevitability of harm caused by sin. Walking on "hot coals" symbolizes deliberate engagement with temptation, underscoring that sin leaves a lasting impact. This echoes Galatians 6:7, which warns that one reaps what they sow.

Proverbs 6:29 "So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife. Whoever touches her will not be unpunished."

·         Explanation: Adultery is unequivocally condemned, with the assurance that it will lead to divine judgment. The phrase "not be unpunished" underscores accountability and reflects Hebrews 13:4, which declares that God will judge the sexually immoral.

Proverbs 6:30 "Men don’t despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry;"

·         Explanation: Solomon acknowledges the humanity of a thief who steals out of desperation, contrasting this with the far more egregious sin of adultery. While theft has a context of survival, adultery reflects deliberate betrayal, highlighting its gravity.

Proverbs 6:31 "but if he is found, he shall restore seven times. He shall give all the wealth of his house."

·         Explanation: Even a thief must face consequences, repaying multiple times for what was stolen. The "seven times" symbolizes complete restitution, reflecting Exodus 22:1, where thieves are required to restore what was taken. This highlights the inevitability of accountability.

Proverbs 6:32 "He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who does it destroys his own soul."

·         Explanation: Adultery is described as a profound act of foolishness, causing irreparable harm to one’s soul and spiritual condition. "Void of understanding" underscores the moral blindness of such actions, while "destroys his own soul" reflects the eternal consequences of sin (1 Corinthians 6:18).

Proverbs 6:33 "He will get wounds and dishonor. His reproach will not be wiped away."

·         Explanation: Adultery leads to lasting consequences, including public shame ("dishonor") and irreversible damage ("reproach"). This verse aligns with Proverbs 5:9-14, which describes the regret and disgrace faced by those who stray into sin.

Proverbs 6:34 "For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won’t spare in the day of vengeance."

·         Explanation: The emotional and relational fallout of adultery is vividly portrayed here. The "fury of the husband" reflects the intensity of betrayal and the justice demanded in response. This parallels Song of Solomon 8:6, where love’s jealousy is described as unyielding and fierce.

Proverbs 6:35 "He won’t regard any ransom, neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts."

·         Explanation: Forgiveness for adultery cannot be bought or negotiated, emphasizing the irreparable harm caused by such betrayal. "Neither will he rest content" illustrates the enduring pain and anger resulting from infidelity, reminding readers of the value of integrity and faithfulness in relationships.

Questions and Answers on Proverbs Chapter 6

1.      What does Solomon warn about becoming collateral for another person in verses 1–5? He cautions against rash financial commitments that can lead to personal ruin.

2.      How does the ant serve as a model of diligence, as described in verses 6–8? The ant exemplifies self-discipline, hard work, and preparation without external oversight.

3.      What consequences result from laziness, according to verses 10–11? Laziness leads to sudden poverty and scarcity, likened to a robber or armed man.

4.      What characterizes the "worthless person" in verses 12–14? A worthless person is deceitful, divisive, and continually devises evil.

5.      How does Solomon describe the seven things God hates in verses 16–19? They include pride, dishonesty, violence, wicked schemes, eagerness for mischief, false testimony, and sowing discord.

6.      Why does Solomon urge readers to keep their parents’ commandments in verses 20–21? Parental guidance provides foundational wisdom and protection throughout life.

7.      How does wisdom act as a safeguard against immorality, as stated in verse 24? Wisdom helps resist the flattery and allure of the wayward woman, keeping one morally pure.

8.      What does Solomon mean by "scooping fire into his lap" in verse 27? He illustrates the inevitability of harm caused by engaging in sin.

9.      What does adultery destroy, according to verse 32? Adultery destroys the soul, bringing spiritual ruin and moral blindness.

10.  Why is the reproach of adultery described as lasting in verse 33? Adultery results in lasting shame and dishonor that cannot be erased.

11.  How does Solomon describe the emotional fallout of adultery in verses 34–35? Betrayal arouses jealousy and fury, leading to irreparable relational damage.

12.  What lesson does Solomon convey through the imagery of the ant and the sluggard? He emphasizes diligence, foresight, and taking personal responsibility for one’s life.

Final Thoughts

Proverbs Chapter 6 is a comprehensive guide to avoiding foolishness, laziness, wickedness, and moral failure. Solomon uses practical wisdom, vivid metaphors, and direct warnings to help readers recognize the importance of integrity, responsibility, and obedience to God’s commandments. From the diligence of the ant to the emotional and spiritual consequences of adultery, this chapter highlights the transformative power of wisdom and the dangers of straying into sin.

Total Number of Verses in Proverbs Chapter 6: 35.