4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; And call understanding `thy' kinswoman:
If I have said to corruption, Thou art my father; To the worm, `Thou art' my mother, and my sister;
So as to incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thy heart to understanding; Yea, if thou cry after discernment, And lift up thy voice for understanding; If thou seek her as silver, And search for her as for hid treasures:
Forsake her not, and she will preserve thee; Love her, and she will keep thee. Wisdom `is' the principal thing; `therefore' get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote thee; She will bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her.
Oh that thou wert as my brother, That sucked the breasts of my mother! `When' I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; Yea, and none would despise me.
And he stretched forth his hand towards his disciples, and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
And it came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the breasts which thou didst suck. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 7
Commentary on Proverbs 7 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 7
Pr 7:1-27. The subject continued, by a delineation of the arts of strange women, as a caution to the unwary.
1-4. Similar calls (Pr 3:1-3; 4:10, &c.).
2. apple … eye—pupil of eye, a custody (Pr 4:23) of special value.
3. Bind … fingers—as inscriptions on rings.
5. The design of the teaching (compare Pr 2:16; 6:24).
6. For—or, "Since," introducing an example to illustrate the warning, which, whether a narrative or a parable, is equally pertinent.
window—or, "opening"
looked—literally, "watched earnestly" (Jud 5:28).
casement—or, "lattice."
7. simple—as in Pr 1:4.
void of, &c.—(Compare Pr 6:32).
8. her corner—where she was usually found.
went … house—implying, perhaps, confidence in himself by his manner, as denoted in the word
went—literally, "tread pompously."
9. The time, twilight, ending in darkness.
black … night—literally, "pupil," or, "eye," that is, middle of night.
10. attire—that of harlots was sometimes peculiar.
subtile—or, "wary," "cunning."
11, 12. loud—or, "noisy," "bustling."
stubborn—not submissive.
without … streets, … corner—(Compare 1Ti 5:13; Tit 2:5).
13-15. The preparations for a feast do not necessarily imply peculiar religious professions. The offerer retained part of the victim for a feast (Le 3:9, &c.). This feast she professes was prepared for him whom she boldly addresses as one sought specially to partake of it.
16, 17. my bed—or, "couch," adorned in the costliest manner.
17. bed—a place for sleeping.
18-20. There is no fear of discovery.
20. the day appointed—perhaps, literally, "a full moon," that is, a fortnight's time (compare Pr 7:19).
21. caused … yield—or, "inclines."
flattering—(Compare Pr 5:3).
forced him—by persuasion overcoming his scruples.
22. straightway—quickly, either as ignorant of danger, or incapable of resistance.
23. Till—He is now caught (Pr 6:26).
24. The inferential admonition is followed (Pr 7:26, 27), by a more general allegation of the evils of this vice.
26, 27. Even the mightiest fail to resist her deathly allurements.