Proverbs 7:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng.

NIV: Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.

NASB: For many are the victims she has brought to ruin, And numerous are all those slaughtered by her.

CSB: For she has brought many down to death; her victims are countless.

NLT: For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims.

KJV: For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

NKJV: For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men.

The story Solomon told of a foolish young man falling prey to a predatory woman (Proverbs 7:10–23) is nothing unusual in human experience. People of all eras, and all social classes, and both sexes, have fallen prey to temptation—to adultery and to many other sins. Highlighting that fact, Solomon indicates the adulterous woman of his story victimized many clients. Her "slain" account to a large number (Romans 3:23; 6:23).

At one point, Solomon indicates that the woman was dressed "as" a prostitute; either because that was her profession, or simply because she was trying to entice someone (Proverbs 7:10). Although prostitution began thousands of years ago, it continues today, and its victims abound throughout the world. In 2012 it was estimated that there were 42 million prostitutes in the world—each of them, in their own way, is a victim of a sinful and God-hating world. Likely, that number is higher today. Unfortunately, prostitutes' clients are countless and willing. They are drawn into illicit sex by their evil desire.

The principles Solomon shares about avoiding sexual sin also apply to avoiding any type sin. The acts of the adulterous woman are common to the way we experience temptation to sin in a more general sense. James writes: "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death" (James 1:13–15). Illicit sex, whether paid for or not, does not build up self-esteem; it destroys. Also, along with their victims' lives, these sins destroy families. A wise person builds a strong defense against becoming a victim by storing God's Word in his heart (Psalm 119:11).

Proverbs 7:24–27 concludes another plea from Solomon, urging his sons to heed and keep his words. Most recently, he described a specific situation in which the wisdom of his words should have been applied. He referred to the temptation of being drawn into an adulterous relationship. Now he concludes Proverbs 7 as he began: urging his son to heed his words. He explains that failure to do so leads to a fall into adultery with its devastating consequences.

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.