Posted by Jeff Short on November 16, 2016 · 1 Comment
Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
– Proverbs 7:18
She here uses the most direct appeal. Taking their fill refers to becoming drunk as with wine or strong drink. She is speaking to the young man of a complete satisfaction of all his appetites. Solace points to joy or rejoicing. She certainly hints at excitement and thrills promised. Until the morning suggests a long time without interruption. All these things are a part of her much fair speech that sways her quarry to follow.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 15, 2016 · Leave a Comment
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
– Proverbs 7:17
She continues her appeal describing the luxurious delight of her bed. She has sprinkled it with spices designed to enhance mood and delight the senses. John Trapp commented that the young man would have been better served to think on how those spices are also used to put upon the bodies of the dead. He wrote, “serious thought of death will prove death to fleshly lusts.” It was want of this sober mindedness that brought Jerusalem to open and unrestrained sinfulness (Lamentations 1:9).
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 14, 2016 · 1 Comment
I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
– Proverbs 7:16
Coverings, carved works, and fine linen from Egypt are expensive and lavish items. She is a woman of means and has made preparations, while not subtle, likely to impress and overwhelm the young man. The naïve young man will probably interpret these measures as indicative of something more long lasting than is intended.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 13, 2016 · 1 Comment
Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
– Proverbs 7:15
She claims to seek him urgently. It is already night and the peace offering must be eaten soon. We discover another angle she uses is urgency. She doesn’t want him to take time to consider, and again she has him thinking on the peace offering meal more immediately. She also flatters him as though he were the particular one she sought. This is an ancient deception but works so well as it appeals to pride. Everyone thinks they are unique and special. To have someone else acknowledge this flatters us irresistibly.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 12, 2016 · 1 Comment
I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
– Proverbs 7:14
The peace offering (Leviticus 7:11-18) involved a meal eaten from the leftover meat from the sacrifice. It was to be eaten that day by the offerer. Many commentators assume she wanted to put on an air of piety, but there is more to her appeal. I doubt she was trying to salve her own conscience for the whole description of her speaks of a severely hardened conscience. More likely, she is reframing the prospect of a night with her in terms of religious or holy things. This distracts from the awful sinfulness of what she wants and gives a veneer of legitimacy and wholesomeness.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 11, 2016 · 1 Comment
So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
– Proverbs 7:13
Verses 13-21 recount her successful trapping. She caught him, or grabbed him. The simple youth’s wandering and her hunting brought them together. She kissed him so as to excite him at once and make her words to follow more forcible. The word for impudent means hard or strong. It speaks of her resolve and shamelessness. She is determined to catch her prey and will brook no rejection.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 10, 2016 · 1 Comment
Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
– Proverbs 7:12
It’s not that the adulteress just wanders about idly and happens to come to trouble. Though she doesn’t want to give that appearance, she is industriously searching. Lying in wait means to lurk or set an ambush. It’s obvious why Solomon admonished the young man to stay away and not go near her door (Proverbs 5:8). While the young man may wander aimlessly, she has a purpose.
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 9, 2016 · 1 Comment
(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
– Proverbs 7:11
Loud means clamorous, or talkative and perhaps a little volatile. Solomon later marks this a characteristic of a foolish woman (Proverbs 9:13). Her speech is smooth and there is a lot of it. Much speaking of smooth words leaves little time for thoughtful consideration and is therefore more persuasive. Stubborn means rebellious and could be thought of as selfish. She is determined to have her way. She is also a discontented woman and does not abide at home. She is always gadding about seeking excitement or diversion (1 Timothy 5:13-14; Titus 2:5).
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Posted by Jeff Short on November 8, 2016 · 1 Comment
And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
– Proverbs 7:10
Verses 10-12 describe the adulterous woman. Attire means to put on and refers to dress. Her dress was that of a harlot. Harlot is typically an adulterous woman. We are not told exactly what she was wearing. The attire that marks an adulterous woman is different in different times, places, and cultures. Some commentators suggest she was over-exposed or dressed form-fittingly, but I don’t see that in the text and we have the example of Tamar being covered but dressed as a harlot (Genesis 38:14). Whatever her garments consisted of, the point was more in the presentation and advertisement of availability. They were designed to catch attention.
The word for subtil indicates guarded or hidden and points to craftiness. She is outwardly open and inwardly closed. Her plans are concealed, though she comes out to meet him. There is a contrast between her appearance and her heart. This way does not lead to a whole satisfying relationship the way faithful marriage does (Proverbs 31:11). This path is only temporary physical passion and the end is destruction.
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Proverbs 7:18
Posted by Jeff Short on November 16, 2016 · 1 Comment
Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
She here uses the most direct appeal. Taking their fill refers to becoming drunk as with wine or strong drink. She is speaking to the young man of a complete satisfaction of all his appetites. Solace points to joy or rejoicing. She certainly hints at excitement and thrills promised. Until the morning suggests a long time without interruption. All these things are a part of her much fair speech that sways her quarry to follow.– Proverbs 7:18
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