5:3

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

3a Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey

3b and her speech is smoother than oil,

5:3a–b

the lips of the forbidden woman…her speech: There are two ways to interpret the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as lips :

(1) “Lips” is a figure of speech (metonymy) that refers to the words of an adulteress. For example:

The words of another man’s wife may seem sweet as honey (New Century Version)

(2) “Lips” refers to the literal lips of an adulteress. For example:

The lips of another man’s wife may be as sweet as honey (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it better fits the parallel expression in 5:3b. It also better fits the preceding context, which deals with the father’s words and the son’s words.

drip honey…smoother than oil: These are parallel metaphors. The first metaphor compares the words of the unfaithful wife to honey that falls drop by drop from the honeycomb. The second metaphor compares her words to olive oil, which was used both for rubbing on the skin and in cooking.

The Contemporary English Version expresses the point of comparison of both of these figures of speech:

The words of an immoral woman may be as sweet as honey and as smooth as olive oil. (Contemporary English Version)

In the Hebrew language, these metaphors both refer to flattering, seductive words. In some languages, “sweet” and “smooth” are not used to describe words, or they may have the wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, you have several options:

• Make explicit a point of comparison that fits with words or speech. For example:

Her words are ⌊persuasive and flattering⌋ like the sweetest honey or like smooth oil.

• Use a different figure of speech from your language that emphasizes the nature of flattering words.

• State the meaning directly. For example:

The words of an adulteress are delightfully tempting and flattering.

5:3a

Though: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Though is translated as “For” in most English versions. This word introduces the reason that the young man should make careful decisions. It is because the words of the adulteress are enticing. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this connection more explicit. For example:

⌊You need to be careful⌋ because…

forbidden woman: See the note on 2:16a. This woman was “immoral” (Contemporary English Version), and she may have been a prostitute. But it is clear from the following verses that she was “another man’s wife” (Good News Translation).

drip honey: In some languages, it may be awkward to make explicit that this phrase refers to honey that drips from a honeycomb. If that is true in your language, you may use a more general expression. For example:

as sweet as honey (Good News Translation)

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