Proverbs 6 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

• Practical warnings (6:1–19)
• Advice on indebtedness (6:1–5)
• Warnings against laziness (6:6–11)
• Things that Yahweh hates (6:12–19)
• Adultery will be punished (6:20–35)

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

My son

Occasionally, Solomon addresses a series of proverbs to “my son” or “sons.” This does not mean that those proverbs only apply to males. Instead, these phrases are forms used to pass on advice from a father to his son, and the kind of advice in these proverbs is about common temptations of young men.

Adulterous women

This chapter repeatedly warns young men to avoid any adulterous woman, who is called “strange” and “foreign.” (See: adultery)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Rhetorical questions

In 6:9, 27, and 28, Solomon uses rhetorical questions to emphasize the importance of what he is saying. (See: figs-rquestion)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Animals used as examples

In this chapter, the gazelle, bird, and ant have certain characteristics which Solomon uses to teach about wisdom. If your language does not recognize those animals as being wise, you could add a footnote to explain or possibly substitute other animals from your culture that would help explain the same concept.