Topics in Proverbs Table

Building Hedges against Adultery Devotional

7:1 My child, guard my sayings See 1:8; note on 1:8–9:18.

7:2 the apple of The Hebrew word used here, ishon, seems to refer to the small reflection seen in the pupil of someone’s eye. The phrase describes keeping something close and carefully watching over it (Deut 32:10; Psa 17:8).

7:3 Bind them on your fingers A way to ensure the commands would not be forgotten.

7:4 are my sister The Hebrew word used here, achoth, does not always indicate a sibling relationship; it can also refer to a bride (Song 4:9–10; 5:1–2), which is probably its meaning here. The father advises his son to take wisdom, rather than the adulteress, as his intimate companion.

7:5 from an adulteress Wisdom preserves the wise from the temptations of the adulteress. See note on Prov 2:16.

who makes her words smooth See 5:3 and note.

7:7 among the simple In Proverbs, the simple person and the person who lacks sense represent those who are gullible and easily fall into temptation. Unlike the fool, the simple person can learn to respond to discipline (19:25; 21:11; see note on 1:4; note on 6:32).

The Fool in Proverbs

7:10 a secret heart The Hebrew phrase used here, which is literally rendered as “guarded of heart,” probably indicates that this woman acts carefully to avoid being caught (v. 19).

7:13 face was impudent Refers to the adulteress’s impudence and defiance of social appropriateness. Compare Deut 28:50; Jer 3:3; Ezek 3:7–9.

7:17 with myrrh A fragrant gum native to Arabia. It was used in incense (Exod 30:23) and as a perfume (Psa 45:8; Song 1:13). The adulteress makes her bed more alluring by perfuming it with precious, pleasant-smelling spices.

aloes A spice used in perfumes. In the ot, it is paralleled with myrrh (Psa 45:8; Song 4:14).

cinnamon A fragrant luxury item (Song 4:14) used in incense (Exod 30:23).

7:21 teachings The Hebrew word used here, leqach, also appears in Prov 5:1 and 5:13 to indicate a person listening to wise instruction or understanding. In this instance, the speech of the adulteress, rather than the father’s teaching, is what is listened to.

7:23 entrails People in the ancient Near East viewed the liver as the seat of life.

like a bird rushing into a snare Depicts sin and its consequences as a bird foolishly falling into a trap (1:17–19). Compare Psa 7:15 and note.

it will cost him his life The punishment for adultery under the law was death for both the man and the woman (Lev 20:10; Deut 22:22). Compare note on Prov 6:29.

7:24 my children See 1:8; note on 1:8–9:18.

7:26 countless are The Hebrew word used here, 'atsum, implies a great number of mighty men. A single adulteress can bring down an entire army.

7:27 Sheol See note on 1:12.

chambers of Here, the rooms in the realm of the dead contrast with the alluring and luxurious room the adulteress describes (vv. 16–17).