Sirach 9:3 - Go not to meet a woman that playeth the harlot, Lest haply you fall into her snares.
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What does "Sirach 9:3" mean?
Sirach 9:3, "Go not to meet a woman that playeth the harlot, Lest haply you fall into her snares," is a piece of advice cautioning against seeking out or associating with prostitutes or sexually promiscuous women. Let's break down the meaning:
"Go not to meet a woman that playeth the harlot...": This directly advises against actively seeking out or initiating contact with a woman known for prostitution or promiscuity. The phrase implies intentionality – you're not stumbling upon her, but deliberately going to meet her.
"Lest haply you fall into her snares.": This explains the reason for the warning. "Lest haply" means "lest by chance" or "for fear that." The "snares" refer to the temptations and dangers associated with engaging in sexual activity with such a woman. These "snares" can be interpreted in a few ways:
Sexual temptation: The obvious snare is the temptation to engage in illicit sexual activity, which was considered morally wrong within the religious context of Sirach (and still is in many faiths).
Moral corruption: Association with such women was thought to lead to a decline in one's own moral character.
Loss of reputation: Being seen with a prostitute could damage one's social standing and reputation.
Material loss: Prostitutes may be motivated by money, potentially leading to financial exploitation.
Disease: While not explicitly stated, the risks of sexually transmitted diseases would have been present.
Emotional turmoil: Involvement in such relationships could lead to emotional distress and instability.
In essence, the verse warns against the dangers of deliberately seeking out relationships with promiscuous women because of the potential for moral compromise, social disgrace, financial loss, and other negative consequences. It's a call for prudence and self-control to avoid such entanglements.
Sirach 9:3 - Go not to meet a woman that playeth the harlot, Lest haply you fall into her snares.
What does "Sirach 9:3" mean?
Sirach 9:3, "Go not to meet a woman that playeth the harlot, Lest haply you fall into her snares," is a piece of advice cautioning against seeking out or associating with prostitutes or sexually promiscuous women. Let's break down the meaning:
"Go not to meet a woman that playeth the harlot...": This directly advises against actively seeking out or initiating contact with a woman known for prostitution or promiscuity. The phrase implies intentionality – you're not stumbling upon her, but deliberately going to meet her.
"Lest haply you fall into her snares.": This explains the reason for the warning. "Lest haply" means "lest by chance" or "for fear that." The "snares" refer to the temptations and dangers associated with engaging in sexual activity with such a woman. These "snares" can be interpreted in a few ways:
Sexual temptation: The obvious snare is the temptation to engage in illicit sexual activity, which was considered morally wrong within the religious context of Sirach (and still is in many faiths).
Moral corruption: Association with such women was thought to lead to a decline in one's own moral character.
Loss of reputation: Being seen with a prostitute could damage one's social standing and reputation.
Material loss: Prostitutes may be motivated by money, potentially leading to financial exploitation.
Disease: While not explicitly stated, the risks of sexually transmitted diseases would have been present.
Emotional turmoil: Involvement in such relationships could lead to emotional distress and instability.
In essence, the verse warns against the dangers of deliberately seeking out relationships with promiscuous women because of the potential for moral compromise, social disgrace, financial loss, and other negative consequences. It's a call for prudence and self-control to avoid such entanglements.