Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does Proverbs Chapter 7 mean?

As in his previous lessons, Solomon begins Proverbs 7 with a plea to his “son,” which may also be a reference to students. His request is that they pay close attention to his instruction and value his counsel highly. He commends valuing wisdom the way a man ought to cherish his own sister. This parallels other depictions of wisdom as a woman in this book (Proverbs 1:20–21; 4:7–9; 8:1–3). The passage makes yet another reference to adultery, and warns about “the adulteress.” While the literal language cautions a man about a predatory woman, the principles apply to both sexes. Adultery is a common metaphor for all sin, as something which is tempting but leads to ruin (Proverbs 7:1–5).

Solomon’s wisdom was based not only in God-given insights, but also in experience. The tale he relates in the rest of this chapter is one he claims to have seen from his own window. Most likely, this is a summation of many such events which Solomon observed during his lifetime. Those who lack sense are more easily led astray; likewise, those who fall to temptation often do so because they make unwise decisions (Proverbs 7:6–7).

The woman depicted here is aggressive and stalks the young man like a predator. She applies seductive clothing, surprise, flattery, boldness, and the promise of consequence-free sex. Using deliberate tactics, she wins the young man over and convinces him to engage in sin. These strategies are not only literal, when it comes to sexual temptation, they also echo the various ways other temptations present themselves. Being warned of such dangers helps us recognize and avoid them (Proverbs 7:8–21).

By succumbing to the adulteress’ tricks, the reckless youth falls into a trap, like livestock being led to slaughter or a wild animal being snared by a hunter. Solomon warns his son—and, by extension, all men and women—that yielding to evil’s temptation leads inevitably to death (Proverbs 7:22–27).

Chapter Context
In Proverbs 5 and 6 Solomon warns his son against adultery. He describes the evil woman, the adulteress, as deceptive and dangerous. While this is valid in a literal sense, it also serves as a general warning about the seductive nature of sin. In this chapter he continues his counsel about adultery, stressing the tactics used in temptation and how falling to them leads to death. The following chapter will return to the personification of wisdom as a woman, begging to be honored.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. My son, keep my wordsand treasure up my commandments with you;

As in previous chapters of Proverbs, Solomon urges his son to live according to his teaching. Like something expensive and worth protecting, these instructions should be valued.

Solomon’s counsel to his son follows the pattern God established in the early history of Israel. Before the nation entered Canaan, it was urgent for that generation to be familiar with God’s law. Therefore, the Lord instructed fathers to faithfully teach the laws to their children; they were to do this when at home, and when travelling, and when resting, and when working (Deuteronomy 6:7).

Like Solomon’s son, we, too, should treat God’s Word like a treasure. These teachings are more valuable than gold or silver. The psalmist testified: “The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (Psalm 119:72). The apostle Paul counsels us to let Christ’s teachings dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16).

Context Summary
Proverbs 7:1–9 echoes the warnings given in Proverbs chapters 5 and 6. This section emphasizes the value of carefully heeding Solomon’s instruction. Such attention to Solomon’s teaching equips Solomon’s son to avoid falling victim to an adulteress. While the statements here are specifically directed to a man, the principles apply to men and women, alike. The principles can also be more broadly applied to temptation to sin in general, not just temptation to adultery. Godly wisdom is the best defense against falling into temptation.

Verse 2. keep my commandments and live;keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;

Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4). Solomon connected his commandments to life. His son would experience a significant life if he obeyed Solomon’s commandments. As with other statements in the book of Proverbs, this is a statement of general truth, not an absolute guarantee. This is similar to how a doctor might say, “eat healthier and you will live longer.”

Sinners receive eternal life by responding in faith to what God’s Word says about Jesus: that He is the Son of God and the only Savior (John 3:36; Romans 10:9–10; 1 Timothy 1:15). Also, abundant life is offered to all who believe on Jesus (John 10:10).

Solomon also urges his son to guard these teachings as the “apple of [his] eye.” This comes from the Hebrew term i’son, referring to the pupil: the center of the eye. This is a highly sensitive and an extremely valuable part of the body. When a threatening object approaches the eyes, the eyelids close quickly to protect the pupils. Guarding our lives from evil by keeping God’s Word is essential.

Verse 3. bind them on your fingers;write them on the tablet of your heart.

In this verse Solomon exhorts his son to keep the lessons he is learning close to his heart and close to his mind. This is compared to wearing rings or a symbolic writing surface on the heart. At one point in western culture, it was common to tell people to “tie a string around your finger,” as a reminder of something. Since that would be easily noticed, and seen, it would keep whatever was to be remembered at the front of the person’s mind. This is the same spirit in which Solomon speaks to his son. He does not want his son to forget his wise sayings.

Believers should never forget God’s Word. Meditating on the Word daily is a good way to keep it fresh in one’s memory. When the Devil launches temptations at us, we can answer the temptations with Scripture, as Jesus did. When tempted, He told the Devil, “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). If the Word is written on the tablet of a believer’s heart, he will delight in the Word. He will love the Lord, and he will obey him (John 14:15).

Verse 4. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”and call insight your intimate friend,

A theme of these early chapters in Proverbs is the value one ought to place on godly wisdom. In this passage, Solomon continues to extol the importance of wisdom, here comparing it to one’s trusted family and friends. These are the kinds of people who can be trusted to understand what a person is experiencing. They can empathize with him in times of trouble and counsel him when he faces decisions.

Wisdom and discretion enable a person to persevere in trials, knowing God’s purpose is to prove our faith and make us spiritually mature. James invites us to ask God for wisdom when we encounter “trials of various kinds” (James 1:2–5). He also promises the crown of life to those who, by faith, endure trials (James 1:12). Romans 8:28–29 assures us that God uses the sufferings of this present time to work for our good so that we will become like Jesus. According to Colossians 1:9 god-driven wisdom and knowledge enable believers to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

Verse 5. to keep you from the forbidden woman,from the adulteress with her smooth words.

Solomon credits wisdom and insight (Proverbs 7:4) with demonstrating their value in avoiding temptation, and the consequences which come with it. This forms an interesting contrast to the prior statement. There, wisdom was portrayed as a woman, specifically a sister, or as a close friend. Here, sin and temptation—as well as literal sexual sin—are mentioned in the form of a tempting adulteress.

A sister and a close friend would counsel a young man to stay clear of a tempting situation that might lead to an adulterous affair. And like them, wisdom and insight persuade whoever possesses those qualities to avoid the evil woman and the seductive adulteress. Letting one’s lust lead him into adultery is foolish, and it results in personal calamity. An adulterer loses self-respect and others’ respect. Adultery results in many personal wounds and possibly disease and death.

Giving God’s Word a good reception enables us to see the folly of sin and therefore set up a good defense against falling victim to temptation. Psalm 119:9–11 states, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word…I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Verse 6. For at the window of my houseI have looked out through my lattice,

Part of Solomon’s teaching for his sons (Proverbs 7:1–5) is a reminder that he speaks from experience. The lessons he passes along come from things he has seen, heard, and done. Symbolizing that personal view, Solomon says he “looked out his window” and saw certain things. As Israel’s king and magistrate, he was responsible for ruling well and deciding court cases. He was observant as well as wise. He observed life even from his window.

Believers gain wisdom not only from studying God’s Word but also from observing the world. Although we should not be busybodies who spy on our neighbors (1 Timothy 5:13), neither should we refuse to face what is happening in the world (John 17:15–20; 1 Corinthians 5:9–11).

In His prayer to the Father in John chapter 17, Jesus did not pray that the Father would take us out of the world, but that the Father would keep us from the Devil (John 17:15). He told his Father: “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world” (John 17:18). He has commissioned us as His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) to the lost people of the world. Just as an ambassador needs to understand the culture of the people to whom his government has sent him, so we need to know the culture and thinking of the evil world system (Colossians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23).

Verse 7. and I have seen among the simple,I have perceived among the youths,a young man lacking sense,

As part of explaining how his wisdom comes from experience, Solomon has been using the metaphor of looking out his window to observe the world (Proverbs 7:6). Among those observations are gullible youths, and especially those who lack good sense. This image of a reckless young man will be the basis of another warning about adultery, coming soon in this chapter (Proverbs 7:10–23).

Not all young men are senseless, but some are. The same could be said of young women. In fact, no matter what age a man or woman is, he or she can be senseless. But youth is a period of life in which emotions are sometimes more prone to govern a person’s actions. Instead of pursuing the right way, unguarded emotions can lead a young man down a disastrous road. The story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–24) illustrates this truth. Wanting to satisfy his lust for riotous living, the prodigal left home with his share of the father’s inheritance and traveled to a far country, where he wasted his money and became destitute and desperate. He learned the hard way that he had foolishly listened to his emotions instead of his head.

At the same time, a young man may be wise beyond his years. Certainly, Timothy was young when he was a pastor. The congregation needed to recognize Timothy’s calling, therefore Paul told Timothy to let no one despise him for his youth (1 Timothy 4:12).

Verse 8. passing along the street near her corner,taking the road to her house

This continues Solomon’s depiction of how reckless actions, contrary to godly wisdom, result in disaster. Solomon describes a foolish young man walking along the street near the corner where a predatory woman lives. Instead of passing by her corner, he turned down the street that led to her house. Apparently, he intentionally wanted to visit her, perhaps thinking she would satisfy his lust and show him a good time. But he was foolish and did exactly the opposite of what Solomon had counseled in Proverbs 5:8: “Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house.”

First Thessalonians 5:22 admonishes believers to “abstain from every form of evil.” Instead of putting ourselves at risk by seeing how close to evil we can come without participating in it, we need to stay as far from evil as possible. The young man Solomon observed drawing near the adulteress’s house should have maintained a straight course away from her house. Instead, he purposely headed into danger.

Verse 9. in the twilight, in the evening,at the time of night and darkness.

Solomon sees the foolish young man move toward the adulteress woman’s house under the cover of darkness. Darkness seems to be the preferred time for illicit affairs and criminal activity. In Scripture, darkness represents sin. Jesus said, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed” (John 3:19–20).

However, the darkness cannot hide sinners and their evil practices from the all-seeing eye of God. The psalmist credited God with seeing him as clearly at night as in the day. He wrote in Psalm 139:11–12: “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”

Verse 10. And behold, the woman meets him,dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.

In the prior passage, Solomon spoke of things he had observed, which led to his wise advice. One thing he has seen is the reckless actions of youth who don’t follow godly advice (Proverbs 7:6–9). In this case, Solomon depicts a young man who willingly puts himself in the path of temptation from a predatory woman.

Dressed in deliberately suggestive clothes, she sees the foolish young man drawing near her house, and eager for sin, she runs to meet him. She may have painted her eyes and adorned her head, with the intent of making herself attractive to a victim, as wicked Jezebel did (2 Kings 9:30). The woman in this example is married but unfaithful (Proverbs 7:18–20). She is also crafty and knows how to seduce her victim.

God categorically condemns all forms of sexual sin. Ephesians 5:5 states: “For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” It is significant that Babylon, the evil world system of the end times, is referred to as sexually immoral. It is said that the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her (see Revelation 18:1–3). Like Jezebel of old, Babylon will experience a fatal fall.

Context Summary
Proverbs 7:10–23 describes an adulteress as aggressive and seductive. Though speaking to his son, Solomon’s lessons here are meant for all people. This passage is part of Solomon’s teaching about the dangers of sin and temptation. The prior passage spoke of a reckless youth (Proverbs 7:6–9), who now suffers the consequences of his own choices. The woman in this story takes advantage of the young man’s lust and carelessness. Solomon compares the trap she springs to those used to capture ox, a deer, and a bird.

Verse 11. She is loud and wayward;her feet do not stay at home;

Solomon further describes the sin-seeking woman who preys on a foolish young man as “loud.” In this context, this is more than simply a reference to her voice, or her personality. This is a commentary on her willingness to celebrate her sin, rather than being ashamed of it. This is extremely different from the woman the apostle Peter commends. He calls that woman “respectful” and having “pure conduct” (1 Peter 3:2). Instead of dressing like a prostitute (Proverbs 7:10), the commendable woman’s adorning is “the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4).

As with similar lessons in the book of Proverbs, the imagery presented depicts a woman seducing a man, but the principles apply equally to both sexes. Many of the principles also apply more broadly to the seductive nature of sin of any kind, not just to adultery.

The prostitute Solomon describes is anything but a devoted wife. Proverbs 31 extols the virtue of a wife who is industrious and attentive to the needs of her household. The prostitute prefers the streets and night life. “Her feet do not stay at home,” Solomon says. Paul warned Timothy about younger widows, whose “passions draw them away from Christ” (1 Timothy 5:11). They become “idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not” (1 Timothy 5:13). Although Paul doesn’t accuse them of prostitution, it is clear that rejection of one’s family life or personal responsibilities can lead to trouble.

Verse 12. now in the street, now in the market,and at every corner she lies in wait.

The seductive woman, possibly a prostitute (Proverbs 7:10), goes from street to market to every corner in a predatory search for clients. Solomon says, “she lies in wait.” This expression characterizes her as a savage animal who lies in wait for unsuspecting prey to pounce on and devour. The foolish young man does not realize the danger which is about to engulf him. Like an unwary animal, he steps into the path of the savage attacker. The use of these various terms also implies that such temptations can be almost anywhere: they are not always found in obvious situations.

These sin-seeking actions echo those of the Devil himself. He travels around the earth in search of victims, those who will fall for his temptations. The apostle Peter warned believers to “be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). If the foolish young man were not roaming the streets, he would not have encountered the seductress woman. It has been said, “If you don’t want to eat bitter fruit, stay out of the Devil’s orchard.”

Verse 13. She seizes him and kisses him,and with bold face she says to him,

Solomon has been depicting the way careless youth fall prey to adultery, describing a senseless person taken in by a predatory seductress (Proverbs 7:10–12). The adulterous woman grabs the foolish young man and kisses him. Then she speaks to him with a brazen face. Thus, she springs the trap. While the moral guidelines given here are meant for both sexes, men—especially young men—can be particularly vulnerable to sudden temptations such as these. Such an approach is a deliberate strategy to ensnare victims. When a tempting situation arises, it is wise to recognize the danger and escape—even to flee.

A famous example of aggressive seduction happened to the patriarch Joseph. In Egypt, he was sexually assaulted by his employer’s wife. She continually enticed Joseph to lie with her, and he consistently refused. Then, like the prostitute Solomon describes, Potiphar’s wife caught Joseph by his garment and urged him to have relations with her. But Joseph was committed to the Lord and responded decisively to his master’s wife by leaving his garment in her hand and fleeing from the house (Genesis 39:7–13).

Joseph’s steadfast resistance to temptation infuriated Potiphar’s wife. She lied about him to Potiphar, who promptly cast Joseph into prison. However, the Lord honors those who refuse temptation, and He honored Joseph. In time, Joseph was freed from prison and elevated to second in command over the entire nation (Genesis 41:39–45).

Verse 14. “I had to offer sacrifices,and today I have paid my vows;

Solomon quotes the words of a woman aggressively seeking to seduce a young man (Proverbs 7:10–13). Her reference to sacrifices and vows probably refers to temple offerings, where some of the meat would be taken home. The prospect of a fine meal is part of the experience she uses to tempt this reckless youth. The other lure is a brazen invitation to sexual sin (Proverbs 7:16–19).

Perhaps, the adultery-minded woman felt her offerings and vows had settled the score with God and now she could embark on a new round of sins. Or she was offering these sacrifices to some pagan deity. Regardless, she was ready to lure the foolish young man into adultery.

Even if the sacrifices offered were part of Israel’s temple worship, her display of piety was hypocritical. She simply wanted to appear religious. In Isaiah’s time, hypocrisy was rampant. People were going through the motions of religion, but God saw through their hypocrisy. He saw that their hearts were far from Him, describing the people as having forsaken Him (Isaiah 1:4). He asked: “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?…I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats” (Isaiah 1:11).

Verse 15. so now I have come out to meet you,to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.

Using aggression (Proverbs 7:13) and seductive dress (Proverbs 7:10), a predatory woman is seducing a reckless young man (Proverbs 7:7). This is part of a lesson Solomon is teaching about the dangers of adultery. The combination of alluring clothes and flattery—as seen in this verse—will soon continue with outright invitations to illicit sex (Proverbs 7:16–19).

Such words are temptations not only for the body, but also for the young man’s pride: to think such a pretty woman would desire him enough to search for him. As do many seducers—of both sexes—this woman’s plan is to use surprise, temptation and flattery to trap a victim. Soon, his pride will cause him to plummet to the depths of ruin (Proverbs 7:22–23).

Flattery is a powerful tool in the Devil’s arsenal. Although the Bible tells us, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it” (Proverbs 3:27), heaping undeserved praise on someone can easily give him a false sense of pride and self-confidence. In Romans 12:3, the apostle Paul warns, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment.” Proverbs 16:18 predicts, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Verse 16. I have spread my couch with coverings,colored linens from Egyptian linen;

As part of a scheme to seduce a careless young man (Proverbs 7:9–15), the predatory woman begins to describe her bedroom in alluring terms. Though what she describes is luxurious and attractive (Proverbs 7:17), it presents nothing but death and ruin for those who fall for the trap (Proverbs 6:25–26).

It is typical of the Devil and his followers to depict something evil and offensive to God as attractive and inviting. Although Joshua told the Israelites that Jericho and its contents were devoted to the Lord for destruction and they were to keep themselves from the things devoted to destruction (Joshua 6:17–18), Achan disobeyed. He confessed, “Truly I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and this is what I did: when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them” (Joshua 7:20–21). What Achan saw as highly desirable cost him his life (Joshua 7:22–26), and what the foolish young man perceived as desirable would cost him dearly, even costing his life (Proverbs 7:22–23).

Verse 17. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,aloes, and cinnamon.

Solomon is teaching about the dangers of adultery, this time by describing a foolish young man taken in by an aggressive adulteress (Proverbs 7:1–12). The woman sees her target and surprises him with aggressive, overt invitations to sin (Proverbs 7:13–16). Here, she continues to portray her bedroom using tempting words, soon leading to an even more blatant reference to illicit sex (Proverbs 7:18–19).

Myrrh is a sweet-smelling gum produced from small trees in Arabia. Aloes are plants which grew on an island in the Red Sea. When these decayed, they emitted a pleasant fragrance. Cinnamon comes from the bark of a tall tree and was used as a perfume. Most likely, these perfumes were expensive. We read that myrrh was one of the gifts the wise men presented to the infant Jesus out of their treasures (Matthew 2:11). It was a gift fit for a king!

Perhaps the adulterous woman mentioned these three perfumes to make the foolish young man think she was rich and therefore desirable. Unfortunately, as Proverbs 7:22 points out, he took the bait and followed her. He valued a few fleeting moments of sin more than the consequences—whether they were earthly or eternal .

Verse 18. Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;let us delight ourselves with love.

The promiscuous wife (Proverbs 7:19) of Solomon’s lesson about adultery (Proverbs 7:6–12) invites the foolish young man to accompany her, with the promise of a night filled with pleasure. She has already tempted him with seductive clothing (Proverbs 7:10), surprise (Proverbs 7:13), flattery (Proverbs 7:15), and the promise of a prepared boudoir (Proverbs 7:16–17). Using these elements in his tale is one way for Solomon to remind his son (Proverbs 7:1) of the tactics wicked people will use to tempt others to join in their sin. As such, these are dangers which just as easily apply to women as they do to men, and just as easily to other forms of sin as to adultery.

This predatory woman assures her victim the experience will be delightful. The love she promises is not divinely sanctioned love, but shallow lust.

In John 3:16 we read about true love, the highest form of love, in connection with the Father’s gift of His Son as our Savior. He “so loved the world, that he gave his only Son.” The word for “love” in John 3:16 is derived from agape, meaning self-sacrificing love. The same word appears in Romans 5:8, where we read, “But God shows his love [agape] for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” It appears in Ephesians 5:25, where husbands are commanded to love [agape] their wives. Agape love puts others’ interests ahead of one’s own interest. It always gives and never takes.

Verse 19. For my husband is not at home;he has gone on a long journey;

As part of seducing a foolish young man (Proverbs 7:6–18), the adulteress tries to alleviate fears he might have about entering an illicit affair with her. She assures him that her husband is on a long journey far from home. She is not only willing to betray her husband, but also eager to do so. Her religious observances at the temple (Proverbs 7:14) were meaningless. She willfully scorned God’s commandment, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14).

Her rush to commit adultery resembles the action of Potiphar’s wife to entice Joseph into an adulterous affair (Genesis 39). However, it seems the adulterous woman of Proverbs 7 was more culpable than Potiphar’s wife. Potiphar’s wife did not have the law God later gave to Israel. Most people today will never be solicited by a literal prostitute, but the appeal to the lust of the flesh abounds through TV, movies, and the Internet. The apostle John reminds us that the unregenerate world with its lusts is passing away, but whoever does God’s will abides forever (1 John 2:16–17). Succumbing to lust may lead to fleeting pleasure, but obeying God leads to eternal reward.

Verse 20. he took a bag of money with him;at full moon he will come home.”

The adulteress continues her effort to persuade the foolish young man to commit adultery with her (Proverbs 7:6–19). She points out that her husband took a bag of money with him. Perhaps she mentions this fact to alleviate the young man’s fear that her husband might run out of money and return home unexpectedly. She indicates that he will be far from home for several days, until there is a full moon. It seems the husband was on a business trip, but he may have planned to spend some of his money on a gift or two for his wife. If this is the case, his wife’s wickedness intensifies.

The young man is being drawn into the affair slowly but surely. This entire story is meant to highlight the dangers of sexual temptation, and the tactics to which both men and women can be exposed. The young man in this example, like the son listening to Solomon’s teaching, and those reading it today, would be well advised to heed the counsel given in Proverbs 1:10: “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” Fortunately, God promises to provide a way of escape when temptation confronts us (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Verse 21. With much seductive speech she persuades him;with her smooth talk she compels him.

The foolish young man (Proverbs 7:7) may have had second thoughts about committing adultery. Although he had taken the street that led to the immoral woman’s house (Proverbs 7:8–9), he may have hesitated. Despite her surprise, alluring clothes, and attractive offers (Proverbs 7:10–20), he may have experienced a moment of conscience. Therefore, the predatory woman uses even more seductive talk to persuade him to engage in sexual relations with her. She does so as a smooth talker, and finally compels him to commit adultery with her (Proverbs 7:22).

The Devil is a master of persuasion. He knew exactly what to say to Eve to entice her into eating the forbidden fruit. He often persuades a believer to believe there is no harm in sinning. “It’s just part of human nature to do it,” he may say. Or he may whisper, “You can’t help it; you were born that way.” He may persuade a Christian to sow his or her wild oats by saying, “You have been a Christian since you were a child. You need to find out what life is like on the other side of the fence.” As one of the Devil’s followers, the woman in Solomon’s story knew what to say to spring the trap.

Verse 22. All at once he follows her,as an ox goes to the slaughter,or as a stag is caught fast

Solomon earlier referred to this young man as senseless (Proverbs 7:7). In response to temptation, this young man falls. After using various tactics (Proverbs 7:10–21), the predatory woman persuaded the foolish young man to follow her without further delay. He went to her home as an ox goes to the slaughter or as a stag gets caught in a trap. It is too late to escape! The difference between his fate and that of an ox and stag is this: he willingly entangles himself in the affair whereas the animals are unsuspecting. He is a fool, and he does not take into account that God judges sin.

Romans 6:23 assures us that “the wages of sin is death.” Acts 5 records the sin of husband and wife Ananias and Sapphira. They purposely misrepresented their offering. Having sold a piece of property, Ananias, with his wife’s knowledge, kept back for himself some of the proceeds and presented the money to the apostles as his offering. He could have kept the entire amount without sinning, but he hypocritically pretended his offering was the full amount of the sale. He paid for his hypocrisy by incurring the Lord’s displeasure and death. Soon his wife met the same fate for joining in the hypocrisy (Acts 5:1–11).

Verse 23. till an arrow pierces its liver;as a bird rushes into a snare;he does not know that it will cost him his life.

Even those who believe in God are not immune from the earthly consequences of their sinful choices. Falling to temptation is like an animal who fails to recognize a trap until it is too late. Once caught, both the stag and the bird will die. An arrow will pierce the stag’s liver and bring about a quick death.

In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul writes that some of that congregation had died because of their sin. He writes: “Anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died” (1 Corinthians 11:29–30). The apostle John warns that a believer who purposely lives in sin may meet an untimely death (1 John 5:16).

When faced with temptation, a believer can choose to obey the promptings of his sinful nature or the promptings of the Holy Spirit. He should follow the counsel the apostle Paul gives in Romans 6:12–13: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”

Verse 24. And now, O sons, listen to me,and be attentive to the words of my mouth.

Once again, Solomon urges his sons to hear and heed his teachings. Merely being exposed to Scripture, through our eyes and ears, is not sufficient defense against temptation; we must also heed it. Applying what we are taught, and taking it seriously, are necessary for those lessons to have an impact.

Jesus told the story of two builders. One builder constructed his house on a rock. When a violent storm struck that house, it stood firm. The other builder built his house on sand. When a violent storm struck the house, it fell flat. Jesus compared the first builder to whoever hears His words and obeys them. The second builder, He said, is like whoever receives His words and does not obey them (see Matthew 7:24–27). James warns us not to be simply hearers of God’s Word. He tells us to be doers of it. He writes: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). Solomon used the tried and true principle of repetition in educating his sons to obey his teachings.

Context Summary
Proverbs 7:24–27 concludes another plea from Solomon, urging his sons to heed and keep his words. Most recently, he described a specific situation in which the wisdom of his words should have been applied. He referred to the temptation of being drawn into an adulterous relationship. Now he concludes Proverbs 7 as he began: urging his son to heed his words. He explains that failure to do so leads to a fall into adultery with its devastating consequences.

Verse 25. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;do not stray into her paths,

Solomon understood that obedience or disobedience is a matter of the heart. If his sons loved his teachings, they would obey them and not go astray. He mentions specifically the sins of turning aside to the prostitute’s ways and straying into her paths. The foolish young man he had described earlier had done both. He turned aside from the street near her corner and took the road to her house (Proverbs 7:7–8). After succumbing to her smooth, flattering words and appealing looks (Proverbs 7:10–20), he went astray, and followed her to her boudoir (Proverbs 7:21–23), resulting in all the disasters which accompany adultery. While adultery is the thematic element of this passage, the general concept of sin—whether it’s greed, anger, or idolatry—comes with the same dangers.

If we receive Jesus’ words into our hearts, we will follow Him wherever He leads. Christ referred to His sheep in John 10:3 as hearing His voice. In verse 4 He declared that He goes before His sheep, and His sheep follow Him. The Lord, the Good Shepherd, never leads His people astray. He always leads them by the still waters, in the paths of righteousness; and even when they walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He is with them (Psalm 23:2–5).

Verse 26. for many a victim has she laid low,and all her slain are a mighty throng.

The story Solomon told of a foolish young man falling prey to a predatory woman (Proverbs 7:10–23) is nothing unusual in human experience. People of all eras, and all social classes, and both sexes, have fallen prey to temptation—to adultery and to many other sins. Highlighting that fact, Solomon indicates the adulterous woman of his story victimized many clients. Her “slain” account to a large number (Romans 3:23; 6:23).

At one point, Solomon indicates that the woman was dressed “as” a prostitute; either because that was her profession, or simply because she was trying to entice someone (Proverbs 7:10). Although prostitution began thousands of years ago, it continues today, and its victims abound throughout the world. In 2012 it was estimated that there were 42 million prostitutes in the world—each of them, in their own way, is a victim of a sinful and God-hating world. Likely, that number is higher today. Unfortunately, prostitutes’ clients are countless and willing. They are drawn into illicit sex by their evil desire.

The principles Solomon shares about avoiding sexual sin also apply to avoiding any type sin. The acts of the adulterous woman are common to the way we experience temptation to sin in a more general sense. James writes: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James 1:13–15). Illicit sex, whether paid for or not, does not build up self-esteem; it destroys. Also, along with their victims’ lives, these sins destroy families. A wise person builds a strong defense against becoming a victim by storing God’s Word in his heart (Psalm 119:11).

Verse 27. Her house is the way to Sheol,going down to the chambers of death.

In this verse Solomon warns his sons about what happens to those who choose to have sexual relations with an adulterous woman. As with other lessons in this book, Solomon is directly speaking to a man—but the principles apply to both sexes. Men and women can fall prey to seduction, and both genders can sin by tempting others. These principles can also apply more broadly to any type of sin, not just sexual sin.

Solomon indicates that this woman’s house is the way to Sheol and goes down to the chambers of death. Her clients put themselves on a fast road to death and the grave. Perhaps this fate comes about at the hands of an irate husband who takes revenge on whoever commits adultery with his wife (Proverbs 6:34–35). Death could result from poverty if the woman’s client wasted his money on her. Death by suicide is another possibility. Feeling the sting of guilt and disgrace, the woman’s client might become so depressed that he ends his life. Another possibility is disease contracted from the woman. A venereal disease might cause his body to waste away.

These general outcomes are all one reason sin is often summarized with the analogy of adultery. What started out as something desirable ends in destruction. Proverbs 14:12 proclaims, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

In the more metaphorical sense, we know that all sin leads to death (Romans 6:23). Temptation promises us satisfaction and pleasure in sin, but sin always takes more than it gives (James 1:13–15). Spiritually speaking, the only escape from spiritual death is through Jesus Christ. He lived a sinless life and paid the penalty for our sin, “that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Believers in Jesus do still fall into sin, but He is faithful to cleanse and restore us (1 John 1:9).

End of Proverbs 7

Please Note:

The material use in this post, video is from BibleRef.com which is from Got Questions Ministries and is posted here to be read by Immersive reader in the Edge Browser. If you copy this material please follow these rules:

•Content from BibleRef.com may not be used for any commercial purposes, or as part of any commercial work, without explicit prior written consent from Got Questions ministries.

•Any use of our material should be properly credited; please make it clear the content is from BibleRef.com.

•BibleRef.com content may not be altered, modified, or otherwise changed unless such changes are specifically noted.