Proverbs 2:16

Strange woman. Heb. ’ishshah zarah. Either “strange” woman in the sense of belonging to another nation or in the sense of not being a legitimate wife. The next verse supports the latter interpretation. That immorality was a serious problem in the days of Solomon as well as in modern times is indicated by the fourfold repetition of this theme (see chs. 5:3; 6:24; 7:5).

Discretion and understanding (v. 11) will so guide a young man that they will deliver him from “strange women.” According to Paul a godly man will keep himself at a distance from temptation of this kind (1 Cor. 6:18). He will flee as did Joseph (Gen. 39:12), if such should be necessary. To stay and argue with a temptation that is reinforced by the inherited weaknesses of the human race is to lack true wisdom.