Proverbs 7:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.

NIV: Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.

NASB: And behold, a woman comes to meet him, Dressed as a prostitute and cunning of heart.

CSB: A woman came to meet him dressed like a prostitute, having a hidden agenda.

NLT: The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart.

KJV: And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

NKJV: And there a woman met him, With the attire of a harlot, and a crafty heart.

In the prior passage, Solomon spoke of things he had observed, which led to his wise advice. One thing he has seen is the reckless actions of youth who don't follow godly advice (Proverbs 7:6–9). In this case, Solomon depicts a young man who willingly puts himself in the path of temptation from a predatory woman.

Dressed in deliberately suggestive clothes, she sees the foolish young man drawing near her house, and eager for sin, she runs to meet him. She may have painted her eyes and adorned her head, with the intent of making herself attractive to a victim, as wicked Jezebel did (2 Kings 9:30). The woman in this example is married but unfaithful (Proverbs 7:18–20). She is also crafty and knows how to seduce her victim.

God categorically condemns all forms of sexual sin. Ephesians 5:5 states: "For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God." It is significant that Babylon, the evil world system of the end times, is referred to as sexually immoral. It is said that the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her (see Revelation 18:1–3). Like Jezebel of old, Babylon will experience a fatal fall.

Proverbs 7:10–23 describes an adulteress as aggressive and seductive. Though speaking to his son, Solomon's lessons here are meant for all people. This passage is part of Solomon's teaching about the dangers of sin and temptation. The prior passage spoke of a reckless youth (Proverbs 7:6–9), who now suffers the consequences of his own choices. The woman in this story takes advantage of the young man's lust and carelessness. Solomon compares the trap she springs to those used to capture ox, a deer, and a bird.

Repeating a theme common to the early chapters of Proverbs, Solomon once again presents a dire warning about the dangers of adultery. This comes in the form of a story about a foolish young man being seduced by a predatory woman. Solomon says this is something he has seen—meaning this is likely a summary of many such examples he has witnessed in his life. The result of these reckless sins is misery and death, for both men and women alike.

In Proverbs 5 and 6 Solomon warns his son against adultery. He describes the evil woman, the adulteress, as deceptive and dangerous. While this is valid in a literal sense, it also serves as a general warning about the seductive nature of sin. In this chapter he continues his counsel about adultery, stressing the tactics used in temptation and how falling to them leads to death. The following chapter will return to the personification of wisdom as a woman, begging to be honored.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.