July 1, 2025
Who Is the Adulteress in Proverbs?
Proverbs 7-11
Madi Blumenthal
Big Book Idea
Living wisely: God's way.
Key Verse | Proverbs 7:10
And behold, the woman meets him,
dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.
Proverbs 7-11
Chapter 7
Warning Against the Adulteress
1
My son, keep my words
and treasure up my commandments with you;
2
keep my commandments and live;
keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
3
bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call insight your intimate friend,
5
to keep you from the forbidden
1
7:5
Hebrew strange
woman,
from the adulteress
2
7:5
Hebrew the foreign woman
with her smooth words.
6
For at the window of my house
I have looked out through my lattice,
7
and I have seen among the simple,
I have perceived among the youths,
a young man lacking sense,
8
passing along the street near her corner,
taking the road to her house
9
in the twilight, in the evening,
at the time of night and darkness.
10
And behold, the woman meets him,
dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.
3
7:10
Hebrew guarded in heart
11
She is loud and wayward;
her feet do not stay at home;
12
now in the street, now in the market,
and at every corner she lies in wait.
13
She seizes him and kisses him,
and with bold face she says to him,
14
“I had to offer sacrifices,
4
7:14
Hebrew peace offerings
and today I have paid my vows;
15
so now I have come out to meet you,
to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.
16
I have spread my couch with coverings,
colored linens from Egyptian linen;
17
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,
aloes, and cinnamon.
18
Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;
let us delight ourselves with love.
19
For my husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey;
20
he took a bag of money with him;
at full moon he will come home.”
21
With much seductive speech she persuades him;
with her smooth talk she compels him.
22
All at once he follows her,
as an ox goes to the slaughter,
or as a stag is caught fast
5
7:22
Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac); Hebrew as a chain to discipline a fool
23
till an arrow pierces its liver;
as a bird rushes into a snare;
he does not know that it will cost him his life.
24
And now, O sons, listen to me,
and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
25
Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;
do not stray into her paths,
26
for many a victim has she laid low,
and all her slain are a mighty throng.
27
Her house is the way to Sheol,
going down to the chambers of death.
Chapter 8
The Blessings of Wisdom
1
Does not wisdom call?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2
On the heights beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
3
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
4
“To you, O men, I call,
and my cry is to the children of man.
5
O simple ones, learn prudence;
O fools, learn sense.
6
Hear, for I will speak noble things,
and from my lips will come what is right,
7
for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
9
They are all straight to him who understands,
and right to those who find knowledge.
10
Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold,
11
for wisdom is better than jewels,
and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
12
I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
and I find knowledge and discretion.
13
The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and perverted speech I hate.
14
I have counsel and sound wisdom;
I have insight; I have strength.
15
By me kings reign,
and rulers decree what is just;
16
by me princes rule,
and nobles, all who govern justly.
6
8:16
Most Hebrew manuscripts; many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint govern the earth
17
I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.
18
Riches and honor are with me,
enduring wealth and righteousness.
19
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than choice silver.
20
I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the paths of justice,
21
granting an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
22
The LORD possessed
7
8:22
Or fathered; Septuagint created
me at the beginning of his work,
8
8:22
Hebrew way
the first of his acts of old.
23
Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
24
When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25
Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth,
26
before he had made the earth with its fields,
or the first of the dust of the world.
27
When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28
when he made firm the skies above,
when he established
9
8:28
The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
the fountains of the deep,
29
when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30
then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his
10
8:30
Or daily filled with
delight,
rejoicing before him always,
31
rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.
32
And now, O sons, listen to me:
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33
Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
34
Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
35
For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the LORD,
36
but he who fails to find me injures himself;
all who hate me love death.”
Chapter 9
The Way of Wisdom
1
Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
2
She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3
She has sent out her young women to call
from the highest places in the town,
4
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
To him who lacks sense she says,
5
“Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6
Leave your simple ways,
11
9:6
Or Leave the company of the simple
and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”
7
Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9
Give instruction
12
9:9
Hebrew lacks instruction
to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11
For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
12
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
The Way of Folly
13
The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductive
13
9:13
Or full of simpleness
and knows nothing.
14
She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
15
calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
16
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks sense she says,
17
“Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18
But he does not know that the dead
14
9:18
Hebrew Rephaim
are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Chapter 10
The Proverbs of Solomon
1 The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
2
Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death.
3
The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry,
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
4
A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5
He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.
6
Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
15
10:6
Or but violence covers the mouth of the wicked; also verse 11
7
The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.
8
The wise of heart will receive commandments,
but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
9
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
10
Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
and a babbling fool will come to ruin.
11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12
Hatred stirs up strife,
but love covers all offenses.
13
On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
14
The wise lay up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
15
A rich man's wealth is his strong city;
the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
16
The wage of the righteous leads to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin.
17
Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,
but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
18
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
19
When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
20
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21
The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.
22
The blessing of the LORD makes rich,
and he adds no sorrow with it.
16
10:22
Or and toil adds nothing to it
23
Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool,
but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
24
What the wicked dreads will come upon him,
but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25
When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,
but the righteous is established forever.
26
Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27
The fear of the LORD prolongs life,
but the years of the wicked will be short.
28
The hope of the righteous brings joy,
but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
29
The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless,
but destruction to evildoers.
30
The righteous will never be removed,
but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
31
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.
Chapter 11
1
A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,
but a just weight is his delight.
2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with the humble is wisdom.
3
The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
4
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
5
The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight,
but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
6
The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.
7
When the wicked dies, his hope will perish,
and the expectation of wealth
17
11:7
Or of his strength, or of iniquity
perishes too.
8
The righteous is delivered from trouble,
and the wicked walks into it instead.
9
With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
11
By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
12
Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
13
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
14
Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15
Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
16
A gracious woman gets honor,
and violent men get riches.
17
A man who is kind benefits himself,
but a cruel man hurts himself.
18
The wicked earns deceptive wages,
but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
19
Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live,
but he who pursues evil will die.
20
Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD,
but those of blameless ways are his delight.
21
Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished,
but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
22
Like a gold ring in a pig's snout
is a beautiful woman without discretion.
23
The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
and one who waters will himself be watered.
26
The people curse him who holds back grain,
but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.
27
Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
18
11:27
Or acceptance
but evil comes to him who searches for it.
28
Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
29
Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and whoever captures souls is wise.
31
If the righteous is repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and the sinner!
Footnotes
[1] 7:5 Hebrew strange[2] 7:5 Hebrew the foreign woman
[3] 7:10 Hebrew guarded in heart
[4] 7:14 Hebrew peace offerings
[5] 7:22 Probable reading (compare Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac); Hebrew as a chain to discipline a fool
[6] 8:16 Most Hebrew manuscripts; many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint govern the earth
[7] 8:22 Or fathered; Septuagint created
[8] 8:22 Hebrew way
[9] 8:28 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
[10] 8:30 Or daily filled with
[11] 9:6 Or Leave the company of the simple
[12] 9:9 Hebrew lacks instruction
[13] 9:13 Or full of simpleness
[14] 9:18 Hebrew Rephaim
[15] 10:6 Or but violence covers the mouth of the wicked; also verse 11
[16] 10:22 Or and toil adds nothing to it
[17] 11:7 Or of his strength, or of iniquity
[18] 11:27 Or acceptance
Table of Contents
Introduction to Proverbs
Timeline
Author and Date
Proverbs itself mentions Solomon (reigned c. 971–931 B.C.) as author or collector of its contents (1:1; 10:1), including the proverbs copied by Hezekiah’s men (25:1). There are also two batches of sayings from a group called “the wise” (22:17–24:22; 24:23–34), and “oracles” from Agur (30:1–33) and Lemuel (31:1–9). No author is named for the song in praise of the excellent wife that ends the book (31:10–31). Although Proverbs was begun in the time of Solomon, it probably was not in its present form until the time of Hezekiah (reigned c. 715–686 B.C.).
Theme
The goal of the book is stated right at the beginning (1:1–7): to describe what wisdom is and to help God’s people become wise. Wisdom is founded in the “fear of the Lord,” and it enables believers to express their faith in the practical details of everyday life.
Audience
The book is addressed to a young man. The situations he will face while he is young receive much attention. These situations supply concrete examples from which all readers can apply lessons to their own lives. Anyone who is wise and who pays attention will benefit (1:5) from this instruction.
Reading Proverbs
The reader of Proverbs must seek to understand the various types of people the book describes. The most obvious characters in the book are the wise, the fool, and the simple. Proverbs urges its readers to be wise, which means embracing God’s covenant and living out the covenant in everyday situations (compare 2:2; 10:1). The fool is the person who constantly opposes God’s covenant (1:7b). The simple is the person who is not firmly committed, either to wisdom or to folly; he is easily misled (14:15).
The first nine chapters of Proverbs are “wisdom poems” that urge the reader to pursue wisdom. The main section of Proverbs—the concise, memorable statements of two or three lines—begins in 10:1. Proverbs often seem to be mere observations about life, but their deeper meanings will reveal themselves if the following questions are kept in mind: (1) What virtue does this proverb commend? (2) What vice does it disapprove of? (3) What value does it affirm?
Key Themes
Proverbs offers wisdom on a wide array of topics from daily life: diligence and laziness (6:6–11); friendship (3:27–28; 18:24); speech (10:19–21); marriage (18:22; 19:14); child rearing (22:6); domestic peace (15:17; 17:1); work (11:1); getting along and good manners (23:1–2; 25:16–17; 26:17–19; 27:14); eternity (14:32; 23:17–18); and much more. It shows that “godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:8).
- God’s will is intensely practical, applying to every aspect of life. A proper relation to God involves trying hard to understand his truth, and then embracing and obeying that truth.
- A life lived by God’s will is a happy life (3:21–26).
- A life lived by God’s will is a useful life (3:27–28; 12:18, 25).
- A life lived by God’s will does not just happen. One must seek after it (9:1–6).
Outline
- Title, Goal, and Motto (1:1–7)
- A Father’s Invitation to Wisdom (1:8–9:18)
- Proverbs of Solomon (10:1–22:16)
- The Thirty Sayings of “the Wise” (22:17–24:22)
- Further Sayings of “the Wise” (24:23–34)
- Hezekiah’s Collection of Solomonic Proverbs (25:1–29:27)
- The Sayings of Agur (30:1–33)
- The Sayings of King Lemuel (31:1–9)
- An Alphabet of Womanly Excellence (31:10–31)
Fact: Wisdom
Wisdom is a key term in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. The word can mean “skilled at making sound decisions in life.” Proverbs 9:10 states that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”
Fact: A different kind of security
A different kind of security. In biblical times, if a person was unable to pay his debt, the consequences could be serious. The whole family could be sold into slavery. If someone put up “security” for another person, he promised to pay that person’s debt if he was unable to do so himself. Proverbs teaches that putting up security for another person is generally unwise, since those who do so risk losing everything if the other person cannot pay his debt (11:15).
Fact: Hezekiah’s contribution to Proverbs
Hezekiah’s contribution to Proverbs. Although most of the Proverbs were collected or written by King Solomon, who reigned from 971–931 B.C., the book of Proverbs did not exist in its present form until the time of King Hezekiah, some 200 years later. Hezekiah and “his men,” probably his scribes, recorded chs. 25–29.
Fact: Rock badgers
Rock badgers are small cliff-dwelling animals closely resembling guinea pigs. They live and forage for food in large groups and are good at hiding. They are best known for posting sentries that alert the group when danger is near. Perhaps it was this mark of wisdom that earned them a mention in Proverbs (30:26).
Fact: Kissing
Kissing was a cultural means of showing respect, friendship, or reverence, as it is in many places today. A kiss was often given as a form of greeting or farewell (19:39). There are only three places in all of Scripture where kissing is connected with romance (Prov. 7:13, Song 1:2; 8:1.).
Fact: Seven pillars
The fact that the house of Wisdom has seven pillars (9:1) could signify perfection. Or, it could simply mean that Wisdom’s house is large and impressive.
OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)
| Romans 3 | OT Reference |
|---|---|
| Sinful Condition | |
| v. 10, none is righteous | Ps. 14:3/53:3; Eccles. 7:20 |
| v. 11a, no one understands | Ps. 14:2/53:2 |
| v. 11b, no one seeks for God | Ps. 14:2/53:2 |
| v. 12, all have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one | Ps. 14:3/53:3 |
| Sinful Speech (note progression from throat to tongue to lips) | |
| v. 13a, b, their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive | Ps. 5:10, Septuagint (English, 5:9) |
| v. 13c, the venom of asps is under their lips | Ps. 140:3 |
| v. 14, their mouth is full of curses and bitterness | Ps. 10:7 |
| Sinful Action | |
| v. 15, their feet are swift to shed blood | Prov. 1:16/Isa. 59:7 |
| v. 16, in their paths are ruin and misery | Isa. 59:7 |
| v. 17, and the way of peace they have not known | Isa. 59:8 |
| Summary Statement | |
| v. 18, there is no fear of God before their eyes | Ps. 36:1 |
Prov. 7:6–9 The simple and the young stumble into adultery by putting themselves in the wrong place (v. 8) at the wrong time (v. 9). This is in contrast to the clear instruction of 5:8 to “keep your way from her, and do not go near the door of her house.”
Prov. 7:11–12 The woman is described in terms similar to Wisdom, who cried aloud in the streets and markets (see 1:20–21). But these are the actions of the woman Folly (see 9:13–18). Her actions (loud, wayward, in the street, in the market) show that she has a deceptive heart.
Fact: Kissing
Kissing was a cultural means of showing respect, friendship, or reverence, as it is in many places today. A kiss was often given as a form of greeting or farewell (19:39). There are only three places in all of Scripture where kissing is connected with romance (Prov. 7:13, Song 1:2; 8:1.).
Prov. 7:13–20 The woman tries many things to appeal to the young man. She kisses him boldly in public. She flatters him into thinking he is someone special (to meet you, to seek you eagerly, v. 15). She promises sensual delights (vv. 16–18) and assures him that their affair will not be discovered (her husband will not be back anytime soon, vv. 19–20).
Prov. 7:24–25 The narrative of the fool and the trap are meant to instill in the sons the good sense to keep far from such ways or paths. Such caution is learned by obeying the father’s commandments (v. 4). Wisdom will keep them from wayward women (v. 5).
Prov. 7:26–27 The woman promises immediate pleasure, but such pleasure leads to the chambers of death.
Prov. 8:5 simple . . . fools. For these terms see Introduction: Reading Proverbs. Though such people have not embraced the covenant, they are still invited to do so.
Prov. 8:6–9 Wisdom describes the character of her speech (noble things, right, righteous, nothing twisted or crooked) in contrast to the speech of the forbidden woman (see 2:16; 5:3; 6:24; 7:5) and of those who use their words for wicked purposes (e.g., the one who causes discord, 6:12, 19).
Prov. 8:13 Describing what wisdom hates calls a person to examine his or her heart, to guard it from such things, and to practice what the Lord loves (compare 6:12–19).
Prov. 8:14–16 Wisdom can give the simple person the same insight used by kings and rulers when they govern nations justly.
Prov. 8:18–21 Within a just society, the wise person will often enjoy riches and honor. But wisdom gives something even greater: an enduring wealth and righteousness, a fruit that is better than gold and silver, and an abundant inheritance. These represent favor from the Lord (see v. 35).
Prov. 8:22–31 the first of his acts of old (v. 22). Wisdom was present with God when he created the world. Wisdom was daily his delight (v. 30; see also 3:19–20). God offers this deep wisdom to the faithful; they may have insight into how the created world works.
Prov. 8:32–36 O sons draws together all of Wisdom’s paternal appeals to highlight the benefits of wisdom for faithful covenant living. all who hate me love death. Those who practice what wisdom hates (see v. 13) show that they are on the way that leads not to life and favor but to injury and death.
Prov. 9:1 The image of Wisdom’s house is of a noble lady inviting people to a great feast. Seven pillars suggests that the house is large; it could also symbolize perfection.
Fact: Seven pillars
The fact that the house of Wisdom has seven pillars (9:1) could signify perfection. Or, it could simply mean that Wisdom’s house is large and impressive.
Prov. 9:4–6 let him (who is simple) turn in here. Compare the invitation in 8:5. Leave your simple ways. Wisdom calls the simple to her feast so that they may become wise. Folly, in contrast, calls the simple to learn the way of foolishness.
Prov. 9:7–9 The person who desires to be wise must consider how his heart responds to wise correction (see v. 12). In order to be wise with others, he must have the good sense to observe other people’s actions. The wise or righteous person becomes still wiser, and will increase in learning, through correction.
Prov. 9:10 The fear of the LORD. This verse, together with 1:7, states the theme for all the appeals to wisdom throughout 1:1–9:18.
Prov. 9:12 for yourself . . . you alone. Each person is responsible to either accept or reject Wisdom’s call.
Prov. 1:8–9:18 A Father’s Invitation to Wisdom. This section describes the two paths implied in 1:7: the wise (grounded in the fear of the Lord) and the foolish (despising such wisdom and instruction). The appeals consist of: (1) a father (and mother in 1:8; 6:20) encouraging a son to seek wisdom (e.g., 2:1–22) and warning him against the ruin that comes from folly (e.g., 6:1–19); (2) Wisdom (personified as a woman) calling on all who will listen to seek her (1:20–33; 8:1–36); and (3) a final contrast of the two paths represented by Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly (9:1–18). The purpose of the section is to instruct the young and simple to embrace wisdom and to instill in them the desire to recognize and continue in the path of wisdom.
Prov. 9:18 The first major section of Proverbs (1:8–9:18) closes with a reminder that, although the one who heeds Folly’s call does not know it, her way ends in spiritual death (compare 7:27; 8:36). He refers to anyone who turns aside and follows the woman Folly (see 9:13).
Prov. 10:1 This verse introduces the proverbs of 10:1–22:16 by echoing the previous chapters’ appeals of a father and mother to be a wise son. This should remind the reader that the instruction of 1:1–9:18 is essential for a proper understanding of the proverbs that will follow.
Prov. 10:4 makes rich. See v. 22a. The diligent is another name applied to the wise (see Introduction: Reading Proverbs). The gift of persistence is the Lord’s primary means of providing for his people’s material needs (see v. 3). The contrasts of vv. 6–32 further indicate that an attitude of diligence comes from “the fear of the LORD” (v. 27).
Prov. 10:1–5 These proverbs encourage working in a righteous way. They discourage acquiring treasures by unjust means (v. 2a) or wasting one’s wealth by sloth (vv. 4–5). God’s people can live in this way because the LORD does not let the righteous go hungry. They trust God to provide for them, and they do not waste his resources (v. 3; see note on v. 4).
Prov. 10:6–11 Neither the blessings . . . on the head of the righteous nor the violence that is hidden by the mouth of the wicked are necessarily obvious to an observer who sees only external facts (v. 6). However, the one who is wise of heart (v. 8a) will walk securely (v. 9a), whereas the fool (vv. 8b, 10) who makes his ways crooked (v. 9b) will come to ruin (vv. 8b, 10b).
Prov. 10:12 The wicked are described as concealing violence (vv. 6b, 11b) or hatred (vv. 12a, 18a). They deceive others for their own sinful purposes. The one who is wise seeks the good of others even when he or she is the offended party: love covers all offenses (the Hebrew verb translated here as “covers” is translated “conceal” in vv. 6b, 11b, 18a). Compare Matt. 5:44; 1 Pet. 4:8.
Prov. 10:15 The proverb reflects on the benefit of wealth and the harmful effect of poverty. Wealth can be like a strong city, providing safety, resources, and protection against misfortune. Poverty leads to difficulty and thus should not be embraced out of laziness or romanticism.
Prov. 10:22 This verse, at the center of vv. 12–32, teaches an important truth about both the source and the nature of wealth. Since it is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich, one must seek wealth through righteous means. A person’s hope should come not from material things but from the Lord who provides (see vv. 23–30). he adds no sorrow with it. When the Lord gives material blessing, he gives it freely and with joy.
Prov. 10:27 As a general rule, the fear of the LORD prolongs life because of the Lord’s blessing (compare 9:11; Deut. 5:16). Likewise, as a general rule, the years of the wicked will be short, whether because the Lord brings about premature death as a judgment or because sinful patterns destroy physical health and peace of mind.
Prov. 10:30 The phrases will never be removed and will not dwell indicate that the land here refers to the promised end of the righteous path (see note on 2:21–22).
Prov. 10:31–32 The repetition of the mouth of the righteous (see v. 11a) and the mouth of the wicked (see vv. 6b, 11b) acts as a frame around vv. 6–32. Verses 31–32 conclude the chapter by drawing the contrast into focus: The perverse tongue shows the state of the person’s heart (see the related contrast of v. 20). The fact that it will be cut off indicates that what the wicked have hidden in their speech (violence, vv. 6b, 11b; hatred, v. 18a) has ruined them from the inside out. By contrast, the mouth and lips of the righteous reveal a heart that brings forth wisdom, which is a blessing to themselves and others (see vv. 11a, 21a).
Prov. 11:1 A false balance refers to deception by altering the scale used to measure the quantity of an item being bought or sold (compare 16:11; 20:10, 23; Lev. 19:35–36; Ezek. 45:9–12; Amos 8:5).
Prov. 11:1–4 These verses form a unit, with vv. 1 and 4 answering each other as vv. 2 and 3 parallel each other. The false balance with which a wicked man increases his income is contrasted with a just weight. The riches of the wicked will not save them, but righteousness will. The violation of fair standards is not worth the immediate gain it may offer.
Prov. 11:5–6 These two verses parallel each other (the righteousness of the blameless/upright). They emphasize a common theme of the section: the faithfulness of righteous people guides (vv. 3a, 5a) and delivers (vv. 4b, 6a, 8a, 9b) them from the fate of the wicked.
Prov. 11:1–8 These proverbs focus on matters of financial and personal security.
Prov. 11:7–8 The expectation and hope provided by wealth will be useless when the wicked dies. Proverbs contrasts this sad outcome with the hope of the righteous (see 10:28). It assures those who fear the Lord that their pursuit of wisdom will not be in vain (see 23:18; 24:14).
Prov. 11:9 by knowledge the righteous are delivered. In Proverbs, “knowledge” usually means knowledge of God and of his will. Even when slandered, the righteous person knows how to conduct himself rightly.
Prov. 11:12 A man of understanding remains silent rather than spreading harmful information that he knows about his neighbor.
Prov. 11:15 To put up security is equivalent to cosigning for a loan (see note on 6:1–5). To do so on behalf of a stranger is not wise. Striking hands most likely refers to some kind of gesture used to seal such a deal, similar to a handshake.
Prov. 11:16–21 These three pairs of proverbs (vv. 16–17, 18–19, 20–21) relate to a common theme. The gracious woman (v. 16) and the man who is kind (v. 17) contrast with violent men (v. 16) and the cruel man (v. 17). The violent gain no happiness from their wealth, which has come at a high price.
Prov. 11:24 Because there is a God who blesses generosity and withholds blessing from the greedy, this paradoxical proverb makes perfect sense.
Prov. 11:30 The life of the righteous produces fruit that is so attractive that it captures the souls of people who are on the wrong path (compare Dan. 12:3; James 5:20).
Prov. 11:23–31 The ultimate destinies of the wicked and the righteous (e.g., vv. 23 and 31) are reflected in their actions (v. 27) and are suggested in the response of those affected by such actions (v. 26). The particular actions in focus are the way a person relates to provisions and people (vv. 24–26, 28).
S4:156 Proverbs 7-11
Listen NowDive Deeper | Proverbs 7-11
One of my favorite characteristics of God is how willing he is to meet us exactly where we are, even in what might seem to be the silliest of ways. While writing this devotional, I've been in the midst of training a newly adopted 9-month-old puppy, Winnie. Winnie wears a training collar that buzzes whenever she is doing something she isn't supposed to, but she's still learning to not give into every temptation to jump, chew, and destroy.
While my pride would like to say I've got my life figured out, God has been using Winnie to remind me that though my temptations don't include jumping, chewing, and destroying, I face temptation every day just like Winnie does, and I have to actively choose to pursue wisdom and godliness instead of giving in to my desires. You might be asking yourself, "How does this relate to the adulteress in Proverbs?" The author uses the adulteress in Proverbs 7 as a metaphor for our sin. So, while lust and temptation may not be what you struggle with, we can all relate to the seductive voice of temptation leading us to chase our desires, much like the young man in Proverbs 7. The remainder of the passage continues to show us the contrast of what it looks like to follow the voice of Wisdom, rather than Folly, offering life rather than death.
Thankfully, we aren't left to make these choices between wisdom and folly alone! Much like how Winnie has her training collar, and me, to remind her that life and joy are found in making wise choices, God gives us his Spirit, his Word, and his people to remind us that abundant life is found in pursuing Jesus (John 10:10). Not only does God give us these resources, his Son knows exactly how it feels to face and resist all of these temptations (Hebrews 4:15). What's more, he has demonstrated his love for us in paying the ultimate sacrifice and dying the death that we deserve so that we can experience the fullness of joy that is found in God (Psalm 16:11). Praise God!
This month's memory verse
"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
– Isaiah 53:5-6
Discussion Questions
1. The story of the young man in Proverbs 7 is a vivid story of being tempted and giving in. How does this story ring true in your own experience?
2. God gives us his Word and his Spirit to guide us in seeking the fullness of life that is found only in him. What are some passages of Scripture that you turn to when you are battling temptation?
3. Scripture tells us that we aren't meant to do life alone and calls us to be fully known by other believers so that we can pray for one another! (James 5:16) Do you have believers in your life by whom you can be fully known?