Proverbs 7 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

7:1-4

Proverbs 7:1-27. The subject continued, by a delineation of the arts of strange women, as a caution to the unwary.

Similar calls (Proverbs 3:1-3; Proverbs 4:10, etc.).

7:2 eye — pupil of eye, a custody (Proverbs 4:23) of special value.7:3

Bind fingers — as inscriptions on rings.

7:5

The design of the teaching (compare Proverbs 2:16; Proverbs 6:24).

7:6

For — or, “Since,” introducing an example to illustrate the warning, which, whether a narrative or a parable, is equally pertinent.

window — or, “opening”

looked — literally, “watched earnestly” (Judges 5:28).

casement — or, “lattice.”

7:7

simple — as in Proverbs 1:4.

void of, etc. — (Compare Proverbs 6:32).

7:8

her corner — where she was usually found.

went house — implying, perhaps, confidence in himself by his manner, as denoted in the word

went — literally, “tread pompously.”

7:9

The time, twilight, ending in darkness.

black night — literally, “pupil,” or, “eye,” that is, middle of night.

7:10

attire — that of harlots was sometimes peculiar.

subtile — or, “wary,” “cunning.”

7:11-12

loud — or, “noisy,” “bustling.”

stubborn — not submissive.

without streets, corner — (Compare 1 Timothy 5:13; Titus 2:5).

7:13-15

The preparations for a feast do not necessarily imply peculiar religious professions. The offerer retained part of the victim for a feast (Leviticus 3:9, etc.). This feast she professes was prepared for him whom she boldly addresses as one sought specially to partake of it.

7:16-17

my bed — or, “couch,” adorned in the costliest manner.

7:17

bed — a place for sleeping.

7:18-20

There is no fear of discovery.

7:20

the day appointed — perhaps, literally, “a full moon,” that is, a fortnight‘s time (compare Proverbs 7:19).

7:21 yield — or, “inclines.”

flattering — (Compare Proverbs 5:3).

forced him — by persuasion overcoming his scruples.

7:22

straightway — quickly, either as ignorant of danger, or incapable of resistance.

7:23

Till — He is now caught (Proverbs 6:26).

7:24

The inferential admonition is followed (Proverbs 7:26, Proverbs 7:27), by a more general allegation of the evils of this vice.

7:26-27

Even the mightiest fail to resist her deathly allurements.