Proverbs - 2:18



18 for her house leads down to death, her paths to the dead.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Proverbs 2:18.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
And hath forgotten the covenant of her God: for her house inclineth unto death, and her paths to hell.
For her house hath inclined unto death, And unto Rephaim her paths.
For her house inclines to death, and her paths to the dead.
For her house is on the way down to death; her footsteps go down to the shades:
For her house sinketh down unto death, And her paths unto the shades;
and who has forgotten the covenant of her God. For her household inclines toward death, and her paths toward Hell.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

The house of the adulteress is as Hades, the realm of death, haunted by the spectral shadows of the dead (Rephaim, see the Psalm 88:10 note), who have perished there.

For her house inclineth unto death - It is generally in by and secret places that such women establish themselves. They go out of the high road to get a residence; and every step that is taken towards their house is a step towards death. The path of sin is the path of ruin: the path of duty is the way of safety. For her paths incline unto the dead, רפאים repheim, the inhabitants of the invisible world. The woman who abandons herself to prostitution soon contracts, and generally communicates, that disease, which, above all others, signs the speediest and most effectual passport to the invisible world. Therefore it is said,

For her (m) house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto (n) the dead.
(m) Her acquaintance with her spirits and they that haunt her.
(n) To them who are dead in body and soul.

For her house inclineth unto death,.... Bends, verges, and points that way; it lies in the way to death, and brings unto it, and sinks into it as into a ditch; or all that are in her house, that are familiar with her, live and dwell with her, and commit wickedness with her; these incline or are liable to lose, and do lose, their name, character, and reputation, which is a death upon them; and bring diseases upon their bodies, which issue in corporeal death; or are in danger of dying by the hand of the injured husband, or the civil magistrate; and also are exposed unto eternal death: or "she inclines to death, which is her house" (x), so Aben Ezra and Kimchi; and to which the Targum agrees,
"for in the pit of death is her house:''
that is, the house she at last comes to and must dwell in, and all that are ensnared by her; see Proverbs 5:5; and the second death will be the portion of the whore of Rome and all her followers, Revelation 14:10;
and her paths unto the dead; that is, her evil ways in which she walks, and into which she draws others to join with her; these lead both her and them to the "damned" (y) in hell, to keep company with them, and be punished as they are: the word "rephaim", here used, sometimes signifies "giants", and so the Targum renders it here; and may refer to the giants of the old world, who were cut off for their debauchery and uncleanness, Genesis 6:4; and with whom such persons shall be for ever.
(x) "ad mortem quoad domum suam", Cocceius; "ad mortem domum suam", Gejerus; "quod ad domum suam", Michaelis. (y) "ad damnatos", Tigurine version; "ad orcinos", Schultens.

inclineth--sinks down (compare Numbers 13:31).
the dead--or shades of the departed (Psalm 88:10).

For - Conversation with her (which was most usual in her own house) is the certain way to death, which it brings many ways, and undoubtedly, without repentance, to God's wrath and the second death.

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