Proverbs 7
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1My son, keep my words. Lay up my commandments within you. 2Keep my commandments and live! Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye. 3Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative, 5that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words. 6For at the window of my house, I looked out through my lattice. 7I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young man void of understanding, 8passing through the street near her corner, he went the way to her house, 9in the twilight, in the evening of the day, in the middle of the night and in the darkness. 10Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, and with crafty intent. 11She is loud and defiant. Her feet don’t stay in her house. 12Now she is in the streets, now in the squares, and lurking at every corner. 13So she caught him, and kissed him. With an impudent face she said to him: 14“Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. Today I have paid my vows. 15Therefore I came out to meet you, to diligently seek your face, and I have found you. 16I have spread my couch with carpets of tapestry, with striped cloths of the yarn of Egypt. 17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18Come, let’s take our fill of loving until the morning. Let’s solace ourselves with loving. 19For my husband isn’t at home. He has gone on a long journey. 20He has taken a bag of money with him. He will come home at the full moon.” 21With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him. 22He followed her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a fool stepping into a noose. 23Until an arrow strikes through his liver, as a bird hurries to the snare, and doesn’t know that it will cost his life. 24Now therefore, sons, listen to me. Pay attention to the words of my mouth. 25Don’t let your heart turn to her ways. Don’t go astray in her paths, 26for she has thrown down many wounded. Yes, all her slain are a mighty army. 27Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the rooms of death.
World English Bible (public domain)
“"Say to wisdom, 'You are my sister,' and call insight your intimate friend."”
Proverbs 7:4
Summary
Proverbs chapter 7 provides a vivid warning against the allure and dangers of adultery. The chapter begins with an exhortation from a father to his son, urging him to treasure the father's words and wisdom as a safeguard against temptation. The father emphasizes the importance of keeping wisdom close and using it as a shield against immoral paths. The middle portion of the chapter describes a vivid and cautionary tale of a young man lacking judgment who is seduced by an adulterous woman. Her enticements and flattering words lead him astray, illustrating the deceptive and destructive power of temptation. The chapter concludes with a stark warning that the path of adultery leads to ruin and death, urging readers to remain vigilant and wise in their choices. The key themes of this chapter include the significance of wisdom, the seductive nature of sin, the consequences of immoral actions, and the importance of discernment in avoiding temptation.
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Chapter outline
How Proverbs 7 unfolds
Proverbs 7:1–3 Call to Keep Wisdom
The father urges his son to keep his words and commandments close, emphasizing that this will lead to life and protection.
Proverbs 7:4–5 Wisdom as a Close Relative
Wisdom is personified as a sister and understanding as a relative, meant to guard against temptation from immoral women.
Proverbs 7:6–9 Observation from the Window
The father observes a young man lacking understanding as he approaches the street corner where an adulterous woman dwells.
Proverbs 7:10–20 Seduction of the Adulterous Woman
The woman, dressed provocatively, entices the young man with flattery and promises of intimacy, highlighting her manipulative nature.
Proverbs 7:21–23 Foolishness in Following
The young man is led astray by the woman's words, likened to an ox heading to slaughter, illustrating the dangers of heedlessness.
Proverbs 7:24–27 Final Warnings and Consequences
The father warns his sons to listen and avoid the woman's path, emphasizing the deadly consequences of succumbing to temptation.
Key verses
Proverbs 7:4The key verse underscores the personal relationship with wisdom, highlighting its crucial role in navigating life's temptations.
Main themes in Proverbs 7
wisdom
Wisdom is emphasized in verses 1-5, where the father advises his son to treasure it as a valuable possession. The chapter develops this theme by portraying the dangers that wisdom seeks to guard against, particularly the temptations that can lead one astray. Ultimately, wisdom serves as a protective measure, guiding individuals away from destructive choices and ensuring they remain on a path of righteousness and integrity.
Explore wisdom in the Bible →temptation
Temptation surfaces prominently through the seductive actions of the adulterous woman in verses 10-20, which vividly depict her allure. The chapter illustrates how temptation often presents itself in enticing forms, drawing individuals into potentially disastrous decisions. This theme is woven throughout the narrative, highlighting the need for vigilance and discernment in the face of seductive influences that can lead one away from the path of wisdom.
moral integrity
Moral integrity is a key focus as the father urges his son to avoid the temptress in verses 24-27. The narrative depicts the young man's failure to uphold moral integrity, highlighting the consequences of moral lapses. This theme underscores the importance of maintaining personal values in the face of temptation.
consequences
Consequences are starkly presented in verses 23-27, emphasizing the severe outcomes that follow the yielding to temptation. The fate of the young man serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the significant repercussions that arise from poor choices and immorality. This theme reinforces the chapter's overall warning about the dangers of following immoral paths, urging readers to consider the long-term effects of their decisions.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Proverbs 7
- Proverbs 5Both chapters warn against the seduction of an adulterous woman and the dangers of infidelity.
- Proverbs 6This chapter connects through its admonitions regarding the consequences of folly and the allure of temptations.
- Proverbs 3The principles of wisdom and understanding in chapter 3 echo the protective themes found in this chapter.
- Proverbs 4Chapter 4 develops the idea of guarding one’s heart, which aligns with the warnings presented in this chapter.
- Proverbs 9The call to embrace wisdom in chapter 9 parallels the instructions to avoid folly in this chapter.
- Deuteronomy 11This passage connects by emphasizing the importance of teaching and adhering to God’s commands for protection.
Study questions
Questions for studying Proverbs 7
- What does the father instruct his son to do in verses 1-3?
- How is wisdom personified in this chapter, and why is that significant?
- What actions does the young man take that demonstrate his lack of understanding?
- How does the woman attempt to persuade the young man in verses 14-20?
- What metaphor is used to describe the young man's fate, and what does it imply?
- What are the consequences mentioned in verse 27 for those who follow the woman's path?
- In what ways can this chapter's warnings apply to modern readers?
Proverbs 7: frequently asked questions
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