Proverbs 7:1 - 20

Today, we start our study in Chapter 7 of Proverbs. The Bible discussion continues on the subject of adultery. In THIS chapter, it is written almost like a “Theatrical Play.” and again, warns young people against listening to her. Today, we will look at the first 20 verses, which gives an example of HOW the adulteress seduces a young, foolish man that is ALREADY looking for trouble.

I feel, that since we have studied this area already, at least 3 separate times, that I should just post the verses, for the most part, so that we can read through them, with only a few comments.

As I have said before, if GOD puts something down over and over again, then that subject must be VERY important to HIM. Since the whole point of this study is to seek HIS wisdom, then I don’t want to skip any of His words, but I also don’t want to beat them into the ground either.

NOTE: For those of you who may have missed some of the past studies on this subject, you can click on the post tag of “adultery” and I believe that will take you to the past studies where this subject has been gone over in detail. (Prov. 2:16-19, Prov. 5 –all-, Prov. 6:20-35)

Proverbs 7: 1-20 (NKJV)

1 My son, keep my words,

And treasure my commands within you.

2 Keep my commands and live,

And my law as the apple of your eye.

3 Bind them on your fingers;

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

And call understanding your nearest kin,

5 That they may keep you from the immoral woman,

From the seductress who flatters with her words.

The Crafty Harlot
6 For at the window of my house

I looked through my lattice,

7 And saw among the simple,

I perceived among the youths,

A young man devoid of understanding,

8 Passing along the street near her corner;

And he took the path to her house

9 In the twilight, in the evening,

In the black and dark night.

10 And there a woman met him,

With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.

11 She was loud and rebellious,

Her feet would not stay at home.

12 At times she was outside,

at times in the open square,

Lurking at every corner.

13 So she caught him and kissed him;

With an impudent face she said to him:

14 “ I have peace offerings with me;

Today I have paid my vows.

15 So I came out to meet you,

Diligently to seek your face,

And I have found you.

16 I have spread my bed with tapestry,

Colored coverings of Egyptian linen.

17 I have perfumed my bed

With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;

Let us delight ourselves with love.

19 For my husband is not at home;

He has gone on a long journey;

20 He has taken a bag of money with him,

And will come home on the appointed day.”

Verses 1-5 admonish us, again, to listen to the wise teachings of our elders… parents… mentors. We should take them into our heart and soul. Verses 6-9 paint a picture of a foolish young man who is looking for trouble. We can see this because he is doing it in secret… “And he took the path to her house 9 In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night.”

Verses 10-20 describe a wealthy wife, who is bored because her husband is gone and she is out to ensnare foolish young men by dressing and acting the part of the harlot, or prostitute. Verses 10 – 12 describe her attitude and cunningness, while verses 13-18 give details of the ways she seduces the foolish young man.

She draws him in with her seductive nature and kisses, then builds him up with flattery by saying that HE is exactly who she was looking for and wants (Vs. 15.) She further entices him by describing how nice (tempting) her bed is with it’s soft coverings and perfumes, and then she enflames his passions by describing what they can do together.

Notice she uses his eyes - with her dress and actions, his mouth – with her kisses, and his ears and senses of touch and smell – by telling him things he wants to hear and describing the bedding and perfume, etc. In other words, she is playing on all five senses and filling them with “lusts of the flesh.”

She goes on to tell him that he will be safe from discovery because her husband is gone on an extended business trip. Next time, we will cover the next part of this story or “play.”