Nothing is more spiritually hazardous than failing to guard the heart and mind against seductive voices.
King Solomon, who reigned over Israel from 970 to 931 BC, cautions that “The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; He who is cursed of the LORD will fall into it” (v.14). By describing the adulteress’s words as a “deep pit,” the writer emphasizes that enticing speech can trap those who underestimate its power. This pit is not merely a physical snare, but a moral and spiritual one, leading its victims into disgrace or ruin. The phrase “cursed of the LORD” suggests a fateful outcome for those who disregard God’s guidance and willingly walk into such enticements. In ancient Israel, adultery was not only a personal sin, but it also disrupted the entire social fabric by violating the sanctity of marriage and leading people away from godly wisdom (Leviticus 20:10).
The verse goes beyond physical unfaithfulness and points to any temptation that seduces a person away from God’s righteous standards. When it says “He who is cursed of the LORD will fall into it” (v.14), it portrays the sobering reality of turning one’s heart away from the Creator. This warning parallels the broader wisdom found throughout Proverbs, where foolish choices lead to self-destruction (Proverbs 1:32). The “deep pit” vividly illustrates how minor compromises can eventually become major downfalls when someone neglects divine counsel.
Moreover, the imagery of falling into a pit resonates with warnings found in the New Testament about the danger of being ensnared by one’s desires (James 1:14-15). Jesus taught that sin originates in the heart, and allowing it free reign ultimately brings harm not only to ourselves but to others as well (Mark 7:20-23). This verse reminds us to hold fast to wisdom and purity, resisting the allure of smooth words that promise quick pleasures but yield bitter consequences.
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Proverbs 22:14 meaning
King Solomon, who reigned over Israel from 970 to 931 BC, cautions that “The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; He who is cursed of the LORD will fall into it” (v.14). By describing the adulteress’s words as a “deep pit,” the writer emphasizes that enticing speech can trap those who underestimate its power. This pit is not merely a physical snare, but a moral and spiritual one, leading its victims into disgrace or ruin. The phrase “cursed of the LORD” suggests a fateful outcome for those who disregard God’s guidance and willingly walk into such enticements. In ancient Israel, adultery was not only a personal sin, but it also disrupted the entire social fabric by violating the sanctity of marriage and leading people away from godly wisdom (Leviticus 20:10).
The verse goes beyond physical unfaithfulness and points to any temptation that seduces a person away from God’s righteous standards. When it says “He who is cursed of the LORD will fall into it” (v.14), it portrays the sobering reality of turning one’s heart away from the Creator. This warning parallels the broader wisdom found throughout Proverbs, where foolish choices lead to self-destruction (Proverbs 1:32). The “deep pit” vividly illustrates how minor compromises can eventually become major downfalls when someone neglects divine counsel.
Moreover, the imagery of falling into a pit resonates with warnings found in the New Testament about the danger of being ensnared by one’s desires (James 1:14-15). Jesus taught that sin originates in the heart, and allowing it free reign ultimately brings harm not only to ourselves but to others as well (Mark 7:20-23). This verse reminds us to hold fast to wisdom and purity, resisting the allure of smooth words that promise quick pleasures but yield bitter consequences.