King James Version

What Does Proverbs 6:26 Mean?

Proverbs 6:26 in the King James Version says “For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life...” — study this verse from Proverbs chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. the adulteress: Heb. the woman of a man, or, a man's wife”

Proverbs 6:26 · KJV

Context

24

To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. of the: or, of the strange tongue

25

Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

26

For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. the adulteress: Heb. the woman of a man, or, a man's wife

27

Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

28

Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

Read Proverbs 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
A prostitute reduces a man to a loaf of bread, while an adulteress preys on precious life. The Hebrew imagery of becoming 'a loaf of bread' ('kikkar lechem') indicates reduction to mere object or commodity - total degradation. The adulteress 'hunts' ('tsu wd') precious life like predator pursuing prey. Sexual sin commodifies persons and destroys life. What God designed for mutual blessing becomes mutual exploitation and destruction.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient prostitution involved both economic transaction and cultic practice (temple prostitution). Both degraded human dignity - persons became commodities. Prophets consistently condemned Israel's spiritual prostitution (idolatry) using marital metaphor. Hosea's marriage to Gomer illustrated this vividly. Sexual sin's degradation mirrors spiritual adultery's devastation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does pornography reduce persons to commodities, and how does this parallel prostitution's degradation?
  2. What 'precious life' is being hunted/destroyed by sexual temptation you're entertaining?
  3. How does understanding persons as image-bearers create moral resistance to sexual exploitation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
כִּ֤י1 of 12
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְעַד2 of 12

“For by means of”

H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

וְאֵ֥שֶׁת3 of 12

“and the adulteress”

H802

a woman

זוֹנָ֗ה4 of 12

“a whorish”

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

עַֽד5 of 12
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

כִּכַּ֫ר6 of 12

“a man is brought to a piece”

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

לָ֥חֶם7 of 12

“of bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

וְאֵ֥שֶׁת8 of 12

“and the adulteress”

H802

a woman

אִ֑ישׁ9 of 12
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

נֶ֖פֶשׁ10 of 12

“life”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

יְקָרָ֣ה11 of 12

“for the precious”

H3368

valuable (objectively or subjectively)

תָצֽוּד׃12 of 12

“will hunt”

H6679

to victual (for a journey)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Proverbs. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Proverbs 6:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Proverbs 6:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 15:30Proverbs 29:3Genesis 39:141 Samuel 2:36Ezekiel 13:8Luke 15:13-15

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