What does Proverbs 7:17 mean?

Solomon is teaching about the dangers of adultery, this time by describing a foolish young man taken in by an aggressive adulteress (Proverbs 7:1–12). The woman sees her target and surprises him with aggressive, overt invitations to sin (Proverbs 7:13–16). Here, she continues to portray her bedroom using tempting words, soon leading to an even more blatant reference to illicit sex (Proverbs 7:18–19).

Myrrh is a sweet-smelling gum produced from small trees in Arabia. Aloes are plants which grew on an island in the Red Sea. When these decayed, they emitted a pleasant fragrance. Cinnamon comes from the bark of a tall tree and was used as a perfume. Most likely, these perfumes were expensive. We read that myrrh was one of the gifts the wise men presented to the infant Jesus out of their treasures (Matthew 2:11). It was a gift fit for a king!

Perhaps the adulterous woman mentioned these three perfumes to make the foolish young man think she was rich and therefore desirable. Unfortunately, as Proverbs 7:22 points out, he took the bait and followed her. He valued a few fleeting moments of sin more than the consequences—whether they were earthly or eternal .