Proverbs 7:21

21 She persuades him with the greatness of her teachings; with her smooth lips she compels him.

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 For there is no man in his home; he has gone on a {long journey}.
20 The bag of money he took in his hand, for [on] the day of the full moon he will come home."
21 She persuades him with the greatness of her teachings; with her smooth lips she compels him.
22 He goes after her suddenly; like an ox to the slaughter he goes, and like a stag to the instruction of a fool,
23 until an arrow pierces his {entrails}, like a bird rushing into a snare, but he does not know that {it will cost him his life}.
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