FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation Proverbs 7:23
KJVTill a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
Read it in context
Warnings about the Adulteress
Start reading at Proverbs 7:1 (Proverbs 7:1 to Proverbs 7:27).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
- 7:1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
- 7:2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
- 7:3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
- 7:4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
- 7:5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
- 7:6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
- 7:7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
- 7:8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
- 7:9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
- 7:10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
- 7:11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
- 7:12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
- 7:13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
- 7:14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
- 7:15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
- 7:16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
- 7:17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
- 7:18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
- 7:19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
- 7:20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
- 7:21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
- 7:22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
- 7:23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
- 7:24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
- 7:25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
- 7:26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
- 7:27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 1:1–9:18): The teacher or parent addresses a son or pupil; Wisdom and the opposing seductive voices are personified within the instruction. These speeches train hearers rather than narrate a gathering of every person used as an example. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Warnings about the Adulteress. Read Proverbs 7:1 through Proverbs 7:27 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Extended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Warnings about the Adulteress (Proverbs 7:1 to Proverbs 7:27). Start reading at Proverbs 7:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cited: Proverbs 7:1, Proverbs 7:27, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Solomon, and also Agur and King Lemuel, and notes that Hezekiah's men copied out further proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1Proverbs 25:1Proverbs 30:1Proverbs 31:1
Early traditionTradition credits Solomon as the principal author.
What is debatedThe book itself describes later collecting, so it reached its final form after Solomon.
Related passages
- a dart Num 25:8-9
- as a bird Prov 1:17 Eccl 9:12
- knoweth Prov 9:18
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 7
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation The proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 10:1–22:16FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation Further proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–29:27FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Connection to the wholeAgur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
interpretation The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter joins instruction concerning rulers with an ordered portrait of a woman's capable and generous work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.