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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Posted by Jeff Short on November 3, 2016 · 1 Comment
That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
– Proverbs 7:5
The fatherly admonition is designed keep from the strange woman. Wisdom is to be kept, guarded, treasured, and loved. The one who does so will keep from the strange woman. Protection is particularly needed against her words. She flatters or speaks smooth words that appeal to the lust of the flesh. Here again Solomon pits the words of wisdom against froward words the young man will encounter. The froward words here are those in the guise of an adulterous woman. Smooth talk is one of her wiles to be recognized and guarded against (Proverbs 2:16; 5:3; 6:24).
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 20, 2016 · 1 Comment
For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
– Proverbs 6:26
There are various takes on the first phrase of this verse. From the context, it is obvious the intention is to focus on the high price of this sin. The first devastation is to a man’s substance. This is a consistent warning in Scripture (Proverbs 5:10; 29:3; Luke 15:30). The second is to a man’s life or soul. The way of wisdom is the way of life and the way of folly is the way of death. The way of the adulteress is the way of extreme folly. She is compared to a hunter here who stealthily traps his prey. One might find here an underlying, ulterior motive that differs from her enticing speech and promises (Proverbs 7:13-21).
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 19, 2016 · 1 Comment
Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
– Proverbs 6:25
The word for lust means desire or to covet. The law forbade coveting your neighbor’s wife (Exodus 20:17). He means not to desire her nor think on her in the mind. Jesus taught that such thought is sin (Matthew 5:28) and can lead to further sin and consequences (James 1:14-15). Solomon proceeds from here to enumerate further consequences as well. He warns to not be taken or carried away by her eyes, her adornment and gestures. The presentation suggests the need to be on guard and avoid such a folly and trap.
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Posted by Jeff Short on October 18, 2016 · 1 Comment
To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
– Proverbs 6:24
The design of keeping the father’s commandments and not forsaking the mother’s law that began in verse 20 is here explained as to keep from the evil woman. The flattery of the tongue, or smooth and alluring speech, is a strong weapon she uses to subdue her prey (Proverbs 2:16; 5:3). Speech enters through the ears and is pondered in the heart and mind. The evil woman appeals to the inner lust and that is where the battle is as per the next verse. Keeping wisdom as prescribed will also keep us away from such sinful enticement.
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Posted by Jeff Short on September 21, 2016 · 1 Comment
And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
– Proverbs 5:20
Verses 20-23 end this chapter with a renewed warning of the consequences of adultery. Solomon has juxtaposed it with the blessing of lifelong faithful marriage and then asks why one would choose the strange woman. He uses the word ravished again from the previous verse, but here it is the negative connotation of being delirious. It’s like trading gold for a bag of dirt. No sane person does that. It calls to mind the parable of Nathan to David (2 Samuel 12:1-6). Nathan’s rebuke was along these lines that David had great blessing, but despised it and took another man’s treasure from him (2 Samuel 12:7-12).
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Proverbs 7:13
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,
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.– Proverbs 7:13
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