Proverbs 7:1 ¶ My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
Proverbs 7:2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
Proverbs 7:3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
As you compare verse 1 with verse 24, it again seems as though Solomon is talking to a group of his sons, but using the personal pronoun to emphasize that what he is teaching is important to each one of them. He urges his sons to make his commandments a part of their being by memorizing them and living in obedience to them. They should consider them to be very dear, as dear as “the apple of your eye,” a reference to the pupil, a part of the body that one takes great care to protect. In verse 3 Solomon is again painting a word picture of memorizing the father’s commandments and making them part of one’s being.
Application from Ironside: "Constant dwelling on the Word of God preserves from sin. Notice that the Word is to be bound and written on both hand and heart. This involves far more than cursory reading of the Scriptures. It is making God’s Word an integral part of one’s life by daily feeding on it that preserves the soul.”
Proverbs 7:4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
Proverbs 7:5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
Solomon tells his sons to consider wisdom as a dear sister, something he treasures. The Hebrew for “kinswoman” was interesting; its root stated, “to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing).” This seems to be saying that understanding in this instance comes from observation, which leads directly to the next verse.
Proverbs 7:6 ¶ For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
Proverbs 7:7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
Proverbs 7:8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
Proverbs 7:9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
Proverbs 7:10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
Proverbs 7:11 (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
Proverbs 7:12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
At this point, Solomon begins to tell a story of something he observed. He was looking out the window one day and saw a foolish young man that was obviously unaware of the danger he was about to encounter. He was walking along the street one evening in the dark of night when he came to a corner of the street on which was located the house of a harlot; the implication seems to be that he was aware of who lived there. She was outside, waiting to seduce someone. He noted that the woman was dressed seductively. She was the type of woman that made a point to call attention to herself for immoral purposes and walked about the streets, seeking her next victim.
Proverbs 7:13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
Proverbs 7:14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
Proverbs 7:15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
Proverbs 7:16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
Proverbs 7:17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
Proverbs 7:18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
Proverbs 7:19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
Proverbs 7:20 He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
When the young man approached, she went out and boldly kissed him. She indicated that she had a portion of meat to share with him since she had paid her religious vows that very day. Thinking—Why would she be making a peace offering if she rejects the rest of God’s law?
EBC Abridged: “Apparently the sacrificial worship meant as little to her spiritually as does Christmas to modern hypocrites. Her reference to these fellowship offerings may mean nothing more than that she has fresh meat for a meal or else that she is ceremonially clean, perhaps after her period.”
She told the young man that she had come out seeking him. Thinking—Did she expect him because he walked by her house on a regular basis?
She told him that she had prepared her bed with fine line from Egypt and fragrant spices. She then blatantly asked him to come and “take our fill of love” for each other until the morning because her husband was away from home on a long journey; he was on a business trip that would keep him away until a specific time. In other words, you have nothing to fear.
Clarke: “The Vulgate says, "at the full moon." The Targum, "the day of the assembly." In other words, He will return by the approaching festival.”
“take our fill of love” - This is such a misleading statement. Such activity is not an act of love, but of lust. Young people are so easily misled; they don’t realize the truth. More mature people know the truth, but choose to ignore it. It eases their conscience, if it isn’t already seared, to call it love.
Proverbs 7:21 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
Proverbs 7:22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
Proverbs 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.
She continued to flatter him until he finally yielded to her seduction and followed her as readily as an ox that is headed to the slaughter or a fool that is headed to punishment in the stocks; in both situations the victim has no clue of the danger that awaits him. He follows her like a bird that heads to the trap and has no clue that his life is in danger until struck by an arrow.
Verse 22 is translated differently in the NIV: “All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose.” The meaning remains the same; the young man is walking foolishly into the trap of sin that will cause his ruin.
Proverbs 7:24 ¶ Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 7:25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
Proverbs 7:26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
Proverbs 7:27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
Solomon concludes the story by urging his children to pay close attention to what he is saying and obey him. He urged them not to let their heart lead them astray by falling for the seduction of the evil woman. He warns that many men have been destroyed by consorting with her. To go to her house is to start down the path to hell and death.
Guzik: “Solomon understood that adultery and sexual immorality begins in the heart. It doesn’t begin in the hormones or glands, and it doesn’t begin in the heart in a romantic sense. In the sense that the heart describes our deepest loves and desires, a heart that does not properly love and desire God but does love and desire pleasure will turn aside to sexual immorality.”
EBC Abridged: “A man’s life is not destroyed in one instant; it is taken from him gradually as he enters into a course of life that will leave him as another victim of the wages of sin.”
It is interesting to think about Solomon giving this counsel in light of his “love life.”
1 Kings 11:1–4 “But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.”
Obviously, he is giving this advice to his sons before his heart was turned against God. Still, one can’t help but wonder how the fact that he had so many wives affected how his sons received his teaching. The one we know of, Rehoboam, certainly was no paragon of virtue.
Proverbs 8:1 ¶ Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
Proverbs 8:2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
Proverbs 8:3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
This chapter opens with Solomon speaking as wisdom personified. She is pictured as crying out in the highest places and from the highways. She cries out at the gates of the city and at the doors of homes.
Reminder—At the time Solomon lived in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, the lives of the people revolved around the worship of God at the temple. God’s law was accepted and respected. Wisdom can be pictured crying out for all to listen when the laws and morals of a nation are rooted in God’s word and they look to Him as LORD.
Ironside: “Wisdom incarnate is to be found in our Lord Jesus Christ, the living Word. Similarly the instructions of Wisdom are to be found in the written Word. The only true and lasting wisdom and knowledge are contained in this precious volume which “holy men of God [wrote] as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2Peter 1:21). Only true and right things are recorded there. Even when the sins of men and women are sharply delineated in all their grossness it is so we may learn from them.”
Proverbs 8:4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
Proverbs 8:5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
Wisdom is pictured calling out to humanity. She calls out for those who are acting foolishly to seek wisdom and an understanding heart, the intelligence to use what you know with discernment.
Proverbs 8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
Proverbs 8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
Proverbs 8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
Proverbs 8:9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Wisdom urges men to listen to what she has to say. She only speaks of things that are honorable, right and true. Wickedness is something she detests. Nothing she says is false or goes against God’s law. All of this is obvious to the person that has knowledge with discernment.
In verse 6 we are told that wisdom speaks what is right, a reference to what is straight and true. In verse 8 we are told that wisdom never uses words that are perverse, a reference to what is crooked and false.
Guzik: “It could be said of the Scriptures in general, they are plain to him who understands. Of course, there are deep and occasionally complicated passages, but the fundamental truths of the Bible are plain to those who trust God and honor His word. As the American author Mark Twain was reported to have said, It’s not the parts of the Bible I can’t understand that bother me; it’s the parts that I do understand.”
Proverbs 8:10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Proverbs 8:11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Wisdom urges men to accept what she teaches them. They should desire her more than silver or gold. She is more valuable than precious gems. Nothing is comparable to her value.
Many go through life never realizing this truth because they reject the source of wisdom—God and His word. Without the ministry of the Holy Spirit in one’s life as you seek to live in accordance with God’s will as revealed in His word, true wisdom is unattainable and its value not recognized.
Proverbs 8:12 ¶ I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
Wisdom identifies prudence as her companion. She delivers (from Hebrew for “find out”) knowledge and instruction for planning.
“Witty inventions” makes reference in the Hebrew to wicked intent or plans. I think it means that with wisdom one can discern between good and bad regarding one’s plans and intent.
Clarke: “Prudence is defined, wisdom applied to practice; so wherever true wisdom is, it will lead to action, and its activity will be always in reference to the accomplishment of the best ends by the use of the most appropriate means….The farther wisdom proceeds in man, the more practical knowledge it gains; and finding out the nature and properties of things, and the general course of providence, it can contrive by new combinations to produce new results.”
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
In chapter 6 we are told of seven things the LORD hates. In this verse, wisdom tells us that if we fear the LORD, we should hate what is evil. This list is just a shorter list that encompasses the list of seven in chapter 6. Specifically identified in this verse as evil are pride, arrogance, evil behavior and perverse, fraudulent speech. Pride and arrogance make reference to conceit of self with contempt for others; arrogance seems to indicate that it is more overtly on display. To be perverse is to purposely turn away from what is right; so the reference is to speech that is false or deceptive.
Proverbs 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
Proverbs 8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
Proverbs 8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
Wisdom declares that she possesses sensible counsel and good judgment. To possess wisdom is to possess power and mastery.
Verses 15 and 16 state what should be—not what is. Kings and all those in authority over others should exercise wisdom. Those who do will prosper to the benefit of those they rule. Sadly, most leaders in the world today do not possess wisdom; and, sadly, those they govern suffer because of that lack.
Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Wisdom loves those that love her. That love is reflected in the blessings that result from following her lead. She assures that all who diligently (from Hebrew for “early”) seek her will find her. She is not hiding; she wants to be found.
Proverbs 8:18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
Proverbs 8:19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
Wisdom declares that riches and honor are also her companions—riches and righteousness that will endure if valued. Again, she declares that what she gives one is more valuable than the finest gold or the choicest silver.
Proverbs 8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
Proverbs 8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
Wisdom always leads one to do what is right by using discernment. That will lead to prosperity both materially and spiritually. Again, we must remember that we are dealing with a principle. Not every person with godly wisdom (in context) is wealthy materially; but they are all wealthy spiritually. Such wealth will endure for eternity once this life has been left behind. One who exercises wisdom is laying up the spiritual treasures in heaven to which Jesus referred.
Matthew 6:20–21 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Proverbs 8:22 ¶ The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
Proverbs 8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
Proverbs 8:24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
Proverbs 8:25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
Proverbs 8:26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
Wisdom declares that the LORD has possessed her from before creation, before the earth was ever created. Before the waters were created or the mountains and hills formed, wisdom was a part of God’s being.
The Hebrew for “set up” in verse 23 states “to pour out.” The terms “set up” and “brought forth” (verse 24 and 25) seem to make reference to the LORD using wisdom as He created.
Proverbs 8:27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
Proverbs 8:28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
Proverbs 8:29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
Proverbs 8:30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
Proverbs 8:31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
When God created the heavens and formed the earth into a circle (from Hebrew for “compass”), wisdom was present. When he established (firmly fixed) the clouds in the sky, the oceans and seas with set boundaries, and the earth in space, wisdom was present. She delighted in all that the LORD made, especially humanity.
Proverbs 8:32 ¶ Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
Proverbs 8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Proverbs 8:34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
Wisdom urges the sons of men to heed, to live by what she teaches; those that do will be blessed. She urges them to listen to her, to act wisely according to her teaching and not reject it. Such a man will be blessed.
Proverbs 8:35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
Proverbs 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
The chapter closes with a wise saying to summarize the main point of the chapter. Those that find wisdom find life and strength and will be blessed by the LORD. Those that reject wisdom and choose the path of sinful living harm themselves. To hate wisdom is to love death.