Proverbs 7:27

Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
– Proverbs 7:27

Considering the end means considering her house is the gateway of the grave. It is the height of folly for a man to think he can enter there and escape unscathed. The consequences of this sin have been enumerated as many, but all serious. The words of wisdom are to avoid folly and consider well the end of the way before you set foot therein.

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Proverbs 7:26

For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
– Proverbs 7:26

This verse shows the true way of wisdom, to look past the short-term gain proposed and look well to the end of the way. The end of the way is where many have been pierced and many thrown down. The urgent warning comes home that it’s not only weak simpletons but many strong men have been undone by her. This verse emphasizes the wisdom in staying away and avoiding and not seeking to grapple with her as though you are the one who will succeed.

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Proverbs 7:25

Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
– Proverbs 7:25

To decline is to deviate, to get off course. The heart refers to the mind where the battle is really fought. Once the mind deviates to her course, the person is astray in her way. The mind and heart must be guarded so that no thoughts of the strange woman are entertained. You go astray literally and physically, so Solomon warns to physically stay away, or keep clear of her paths.

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Proverbs 7:24

Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
– Proverbs 7:24

Verses 24-27 conclude the chapter with the applied warning of wisdom. The conclusion begins with the familiar call to listen with intelligence and take heed to the words spoken. Again, we note the contrast with the words of wisdom and the words of folly. The adulteress use words of flattery and cunning to persuade. The mouth of the father speaks words of wisdom whereby the words of folly will not prevail.

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Proverbs 7:23

Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
– Proverbs 7:23

An arrow to the liver is a mortal wound. Life is in the balance. It could be more immediately or ultimately. The way of fornication and adultery is a way that only ends in death. The last image is the bird going for the bait in the snare unknowing the snare means its life. Again the thought conveyed is that the young man doesn’t really comprehend what he is doing, nor the great cost associated with it.

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Proverbs 7:22

He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
– Proverbs 7:22

Verses 22-23 paint the results with different images. Straightway refers to the sudden turn once his heart and mind are overcome. His yielding is full. The ox is witless in going to the slaughter and so the young man in going with the strange woman. He hasn’t fully comprehended the cost he will have to pay.

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Proverbs 7:21

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
– Proverbs 7:21

The flattering of her lips and her fair speech were the most effective in her temptation. We see good reason for the repeated admonitions to hear and heed wise words. Doing so insulates and protects from being taken by the lips of the strange woman. To yield is to bend and indicates that his initial resistance was overcome. To force is to drive or impel. She pushed him over the edge and he had no strength to withstand her.

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Proverbs 7:20

He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
– Proverbs 7:20

The husband has money and business to conduct, so will not return soon. The day appointed refers to the full moon, so he will not return soon. All provision has been made and all obstacles removed.

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Proverbs 7:19

For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
– Proverbs 7:19

The last step of her seduction is to remove a final obstacle or objection in the youth’s mind. Fear of encountering an irate husband is a strong deterrent to the young man. She soothingly assures him that he is gone and not soon to return. She has appealed to his baser instincts, not persuading of the moral goodness but rather of the enjoyment and security of getting away with it. These verses provide a good primer on the way temptation comes to us and not just in this instance.

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