lest you concede your vigor to othersThis phrase warns against the loss of strength and vitality, often associated with the consequences of immoral living. In biblical context, "vigor" can refer to one's physical, spiritual, and moral strength. The book of Proverbs frequently emphasizes the importance of wisdom and the dangers of folly, particularly in the context of sexual immorality (
Proverbs 5:3-8). The idea of conceding one's vigor to others suggests a transfer of power and energy that should be reserved for one's own family and God-given purpose. This aligns with the biblical principle of stewardship, where individuals are called to manage their resources, including their bodies, in a way that honors God (
1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
and your years to one who is cruel
The phrase "one who is cruel" can be interpreted as a metaphor for the destructive consequences of sin, particularly in the context of relationships that are not ordained by God. Historically, the ancient Near Eastern cultures often depicted foreign or pagan influences as cruel, leading the Israelites away from their covenant with God. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where Israel is warned against forming alliances with nations that do not follow Yahweh (Deuteronomy 7:1-4). The loss of "years" implies a significant portion of one's life being wasted or consumed by regret and suffering due to poor choices. This serves as a cautionary tale, urging believers to remain faithful and avoid entanglements that lead to spiritual and physical ruin. The concept of time being given to a cruel master can also be seen as a type of spiritual bondage, contrasting with the freedom found in Christ (Galatians 5:1).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Solomon- The author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom, who provides guidance on moral and ethical living.
2.
The Adulteress- While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of
Proverbs 5 warns against the temptations of an adulterous woman, symbolizing the dangers of infidelity and immorality.
3.
The Young Man- The primary audience of Solomon's warnings, representing anyone who might be tempted by immoral behavior.
4.
The Cruel One- A metaphorical figure representing the consequences and harsh realities that follow a life of sin and poor choices.
5.
Ancient Israel- The cultural and historical backdrop of the Proverbs, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.
Teaching Points
Guard Your StrengthThe term "vigor" in Hebrew can refer to strength or honor. Protect your physical, emotional, and spiritual strength by avoiding immoral relationships.
Value Your TimeThe "years" given to a cruel one symbolize wasted time and opportunities. Use your time wisely in pursuits that honor God.
Recognize ConsequencesUnderstand that sinful actions have real and often severe consequences, affecting not just the individual but also those around them.
Seek WisdomContinually seek God's wisdom through prayer and study of the Scriptures to make righteous choices.
Pursue HolinessStrive for a life of purity and holiness, recognizing that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 5:9?
2.How can Proverbs 5:9 guide us in avoiding immoral relationships today?
3.What does "lest you surrender your honor" mean in a modern context?
4.How does Proverbs 5:9 connect with 1 Corinthians 6:18 on purity?
5.What practical steps can protect our "years to the cruel" as warned?
6.How can Proverbs 5:9 influence our choices in friendships and partnerships?
7.What does Proverbs 5:9 mean by "lest you give your vigor to others"?
8.How does Proverbs 5:9 warn against the consequences of infidelity?
9.What historical context influenced the writing of Proverbs 5:9?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 5?
11.What does the Bible say about human cruelty?
12.In Joshua 14:10-11, how can an 85-year-old Caleb realistically maintain the same physical strength he had at 40?
13.Proverbs 16:31 declares that gray hair, or old age, is a crown of glory for the righteous--how do we reconcile this with the early deaths of many who lead faithful and moral lives?
14.Does the depiction of sudden destruction for the tempted (Proverbs 7:22-27) contradict a just and merciful God?What Does Proverbs 5:9 Mean
Concede your vigor to othersProverbs 5:9 opens with the warning, “lest you concede your vigor to others.” Scripture paints vigor as the God-given blend of energy, health, and influence entrusted to us for faithful stewardship.
• Physical and financial drain
– “Otherwise, strangers will feast on your wealth, and your labor will enrich the house of a foreigner” (Proverbs 5:10).
– Sexual sin is costly; it siphons resources that could bless family, church, and the needy.
• Emotional and spiritual erosion
– “Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to those who destroy kings” (Proverbs 31:3).
–1 Corinthians 6:18 urges believers to “flee from sexual immorality,” highlighting that unchecked desire empties the soul of resolve and joy.
• Loss of testimony and purpose
– Samson’s decline inJudges 16 shows how misplaced desire neutralizes God-given strength and influence.
– When purity is surrendered, credibility suffers, and opportunities for kingdom impact shrink.
Your years to one who is cruelThe verse continues, “and your years to one who is cruel,” describing the long-term consequences of entanglement with an unprincipled partner.
• A life consumed by exploitation
– “For the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your precious life” (Proverbs 6:26).
– Relationships outside God’s design often end with one party using the other’s time, resources, and health without mercy.
• Shortened longevity and lingering regret
–Proverbs 2:19 warns that none who go to the seductress “regain the paths of life.”
– Stress, disease, and guilt can literally cut life short, turning years that could have been fruitful into seasons of anguish.
• Divine discipline and earthly fallout
– “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, he will reap in return” (Galatians 6:7).
– The cruelty ultimately links back to sin’s own harsh master, as choices outside God’s will invite both temporal and eternal consequences.
summaryProverbs 5:9 is a gracious, loving warning: guard your strength and the prime years of your life by walking in purity. Sexual sin appears thrilling but ends up robbing vigor, squandering years, and placing one under cruel bondage. God’s design protects vitality and ensures that our days and strength remain instruments for His glory and for the blessing of those we love.
(9)
Thine honour.--Rather,
freshness, vigour.Thy years.--The best years of thy life.
Unto the cruel.--That is the temptress herself, or her hangers-on and associates, whose sole idea is plunder.
Verse 9. - The reasons why the harlot is to be avoided follow in rapid succession.
Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel. The word rendered "honour" (Hebrew,
hod) is not so much reputation, as the English implies, as "the
grace and
freshness of youth." It is so used in
Hosea 14:6;
Daniel 10:8. The Vulgate renders "honour," and the LXX.,
ζώη, "life."
Hod is derived from the Arabic word signifying "to lift one's self up," and then "to be eminent, beautiful."
Thy years;
i.e. the best and most vigorous, and hence the most useful and valuable, years of life.
Unto the cruel (Hebrew,
l'ak'zari); literally,
to the cruel one; but the adjective
akzari is only found in the singular, and may be here used in a collective sense as designating the
entourage of the harlot, her associates who prey pitilessly on the youth whom they bring within the range of her fascinations. So Delitzsch. It seems to be so understood by the LXX., which reads
ἀνελεήμοσιν,
immitentibus; but not so by the Vulgate, which adheres to the singular,
crudeli. If we adhere to the gender of the adjective
akzari, which is masculine, and to its number, it may designate the husband of the adulteress, who will deal mercilessly towards the paramour of his wife. So Zockler. Again, it may refer, notwithstanding the gender, to the harlot herself (so Vatablus and Holden). who is cruel, who has no love for the youth, and would see him perish without pity. The explanation of Stuart and others, including Ewald, that the "cruel one" is the purchaser of the punished adulterer, is without foundation or warrant, since there is no historical instance on record where the adulterer was reduced to slavery, and the punishment inflicted by the Mosaic code was not slavery, but death (
Numbers 20:10;
Deuteronomy 22:22), and, as it appears from
Ezekiel 16:40 and
John 8:5, death from stoning. The adjective
akzari, like its equivalent
akzar, is derived from the verb
kazar, "to break," and occurs again in
Proverbs 11:17;
Proverbs 12:10;
Proverbs 17:11. The moral of the warning is a wasted life.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
lestפֶּן־(pen-)Conjunction
Strong's 6435:Removal, lestyou concedeתִּתֵּ֣ן(tit·tên)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setyour vigorהוֹדֶ֑ךָ(hō·w·ḏe·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1935:Splendor, majesty, vigorto others,לַאֲחֵרִ֣ים(la·’ă·ḥê·rîm)Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 312:Hinder, next, otherand your yearsוּ֝שְׁנֹתֶ֗יךָ(ū·šə·nō·ṯe·ḵā)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8141:A yearto one who is cruel,לְאַכְזָרִֽי׃(lə·’aḵ·zā·rî)Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 394:Terrible
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 5:9 Lest you give your honor to others (Prov. Pro Pr) 
