Proverbs vii.
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 1. Words. As dangerous temptations always threaten, the same instructions are frequently inculcated. (Worthington)
Ver. 5. Thine. But another’s, ver. 19. Give thy heart to wisdom, that it may be guarded against impure love.
Ver. 6. Lattice. No glass was used, on account of the great heat. (Calmet)
Ver. 7. Ones. Not in age, but prudence. (Menochius)
Ver. 10. Attire. Covered with a veil, (Genesis xxxviii. 15.) though different from that of honest women. (Calmet) — The wanton are commonly the most gaudy; nullarum fere pretiosior cultus est quam quarum pudor vilis est. (St. Cyprian, de Habitu.) — Prepared, &c. Hebrew, “guarded,” (Calmet) or “subtle of heart.” (Protestants) “who makes the hearts of youths take flight.” (Septuagint) (Canticle of Canticles vi. 4.) (Haydock)
Ver. 11. Not….quiet. Is not in Hebrew. (Calmet) — “She is loud and stubborn, her feet abide not in her house.” (Protestants) (Haydock) — Chaste women are guarded in their speech, and keep at home. (Menochius)
Ver. 14. Prosperity. Or thy welfare, (Cornelius a Lapide; Tirinus) so great is my love for thee. (Menochius) — Vows. And therefore I have a feast prepared. People might carry home the greatest part of the victim to eat, if they were clean, Leviticus vii. 29. (Calmet)
Ver. 16. Cords. For greater ease, instead of boards, (Menochius) or the curtains are hung with precious cords from Egypt. (Calmet)
Ver. 17. Aloes. Of Syria, (John xix. 39.) different from ours, Numbers xxxiv. 6. (Calmet)
Ver. 18. Inebriated. Protestants, “take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.” (Haydock) — This passion is a sort of intoxication. (Menochius)
Ver. 19. My. Literally, “the man.” (Haydock) — She speaks thus out of contempt. (Calmet)
Ver. 20. The day. Septuagint, “after many days.” Hebrew, “at the day concealed,” or when the people will dwell under tents, (Chaldean; Calmet) or “at the new moon,” when it does not appear. (Piscator) — He will not return for a long time, so that we need apprehend no danger from him. (Menochius)
Ver. 22. Lamb. Protestants, “fool to the correction of the stocks,” (Haydock) or “like a shackle (abs.) for the chastisement of a fool.” (Mont.[Montanus?]) — Interpreters have read different words. (Calmet) — Sinners who have given way to temptations, are as inconsiderate as oxen, or birds which hasten to their own ruin. (Worthington)
Ver. 26. Her. Solomon gave a melancholy proof of this, as well as David, and Amnon. (Calmet)
Ver. 27. Death. There can be no precaution too great, chap. ii. 18. (Calmet)
Bible Text & Cross-references:
The love of wisdom is the best preservative from being led astray by temptation.
1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my precepts with thee. Son,
2 Keep my commandments, and thou shalt live: and my law as the apple of thy eye:
3 Bind it upon thy fingers, write it upon the tables of thy heart.
4 Say to wisdom: Thou art my sister: and call prudence thy friend,
5 That she may keep thee from the woman that is not thine, and from the stranger who sweeteneth her words.
6 For I look out of the window of my house through the lattice,
7 And I see little ones, I behold a foolish young man,
8 Who passeth through the street by the corner, and goeth nigh the way of her house,
9 In the dark, when it grows late, in the darkness and obscurity of the night.
10 And behold a woman meeteth him in harlot’s attire, prepared to deceive souls: talkative and wandering,
11 Not bearing to be quiet, not able to abide still at home,
12 Now abroad, now in the streets, now lying in wait near the corners.
13 And catching the young man, she kisseth him, and with an impudent face, flattereth, saying:
14 I vowed victims for prosperity, this day I have paid my vows.
15 Therefore I am come out to meet thee, desirous to see thee, and I have found thee.
16 I have woven my bed with cords, I have covered it with painted tapestry, brought from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us be inebriated with the breasts, and let us enjoy the desired embraces, till the day appear.
19 For my husband is not at home, he is gone a very long journey.
20 He took with him a bag of money: he will return home the day of the full moon.
21 She entangled him with many words, and drew him away with the flattery of her lips.
22 Immediately he followeth her as an ox led to be a victim, and as a lamb playing the wanton, and not knowing that he is drawn like a fool to bonds,
23 Till the arrow pierce his liver: as if a bird should make haste to the snare, and knoweth not that his life is in danger.
24 Now, therefore, my son, hear me, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not thy mind be drawn away in her ways: neither be thou deceived with her paths.
26 For she hath cast down many wounded, and the strongest have been slain by her.
27 Her house is the way to hell, reaching even to the inner chambers of death.