Proverbs 22:14

Proverbs 22:14, in plain English

An unfaithful woman—someone who lures men into adultery—is dangerous and destructive; if you're already under God's judgment, falling into that trap ensures your destruction.

Why it's here

Solomon is warning young men about a real danger in his society: the seductive woman who isn't bound by marriage covenant, who promises pleasure without consequences. The 'deep pit' isn't just about the act itself but about all it destroys—your integrity, your marriage, your standing, your soul. If you're already spiritually vulnerable—'under the wrath of the LORD'—this trap will finish you.

Who's speaking

Solomon, warning his students against a snare

Where it sits in the story

This connects to the entire narrative arc of how sin works. Temptation exploits existing weaknesses. Adultery isn't just about two people; it destroys families and communities. The book of Proverbs has already warned extensively about this in chapter 5 and 7—Solomon won't let his students forget the stakes.

The scholarly reading

The adulterer's seductive speech is dangerously deep and conceals a trap; those already under God's wrath are particularly vulnerable to such temptation and will fall.

Language and setting

The 'mouth of an adulteress' (פִּי זָרוֹת, pi zarot, literally 'mouth of a strange woman') is שׁוּחָה עֲמֻקָּה (shucha amukkah, 'a deep pit/well'). The image suggests that alluring words create a chasm of consequence—one descends gradually and finds escape difficult. The clause 'he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it' (יִגּוֹעַ בָּהּ קָדוּחַ, yigoa bah kadukach) indicates that those already morally compromised or estranged from God are especially susceptible. This is not simplistic but reflects that compromised judgment makes one vulnerable to further compromise.

Voice

The wisdom teacher, warning against sexual transgression and its cascading consequences.

Significance

The adulteress figure in Proverbs represents not only literal infidelity but idolatry and the seductive power of false wisdom. The sage is competing against voices that promise pleasure without consequence. This participates in the biblical tradition that sees sexual sin as particularly dangerous because it binds the entire person—body, will, and spirit—to destructive patterns. The principle extends: sin begets sin, and we are predisposed to further temptation once we've separated ourselves from God's instruction.

12The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.

13The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”

14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.

15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.

Read all of Proverbs 22 — A good name is more desirable than great riches. Train up a child in the way he should go. Proverbs that have shaped civilizations.