Proverbs 7:21

21 Soon she has him eating out of her hand, bewitched by her honeyed speech.

Proverbs 7:21 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 7:21

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield
Or, "to decline" from the right way: or, "inclined him" F4; his ear to listen to her, and his heart to go after her and along with her. This she did, by using a great many words, by her prolixity, and by some taking and striking expressions; lewd women are generally very talkative F5. It may be rendered, "by her much doctrine" F6, as the word is in ( Proverbs 4:2 ) ; so Jezebel calls herself a prophetess, and sets up for a teacher of men; and, by her false doctrine, deceives some that are called the servants of Christ to commit fornication, and eat things sacrificed to idols, ( Revelation 2:20 ) ; with the flattering of her lips she forced him;
to go along with her, not against his will, but with it: though at first there was some reluctance, conscience rose up and opposed; but her words, which were smoother than oil, found a way into his heart, and prevailed upon him to yield to her entreaties; he could no longer withstand her attacks, but surrendered to her; her charming voice, and flattering lips, had more effect upon him than her kisses; notwithstanding these he was reluctant, but could stand it out no longer against her alluring words and soothing language. With this compare the deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish through antichrist, ( 2 Thessalonians 2:10 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F4 (wtjh) "declinare facit eum", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Gejerus; "flexit", Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Mercerus, Michaelin; "inclinavit illum", Cocceius.
F5 "Verbosa gaudet Venus Ioquela", Catullus ad Camer. Ep. 53. v. 20.
F6 (hxql brb) "multitudine discipline suae", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "doctrinae suae", Michaelis.

Proverbs 7:21 In-Context

19 My husband's not home; he's away on business, and he won't be back for a month."
21 Soon she has him eating out of her hand, bewitched by her honeyed speech.
22 Before you know it, he's trotting behind her, like a calf led to the butcher shop, Like a stag lured into ambush
23 and then shot with an arrow, Like a bird flying into a net not knowing that its flying life is over.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.