Proverbs 23:28

28 For such a one shall perish suddenly; and every transgressor shall be cut off.

Proverbs 23:28 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 23:28

She also lieth in wait as [for] a prey
At the door of her house, in the corner of the streets, in the dark of the night; laying her snares, and spreading her nets, for unwary persons, to make a prey of their virtue and of their money. Or, "as [a man of] prey" {k}; a thief and robber, so Gersom; thus she watches and takes all opportunities to seize on persons, and rob them of their substance, health, and credit; or rather "as [a beast of] prey"; ravenous, devouring, and insatiable; so the Targum,

``as a beast ravening, she lies in wait with her eyes;''

and increaseth the transgressors among men;
there is none that occasions wore sin, or makes more sinners, than a whorish woman; swearing, lying, drunkenness, thieving, stealing, housebreaking, robbing on the highway are the sins she leads into. Or, "increaseth treacherous" ^F12 persons; to God, to their king, to their wives, to their master's; and all that they may consume, what they can get by perfidious practices, upon them, or,

``perfidious persons among men, she adds "to herself" ^F13;''

she gets a parcel of abandoned wretches about her, whom she employs as her panders for her lust, or as bullies to spoil her gallants of their substance, or murder them for the sake of it.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 (Ptxk) "tanquam vir praedae", Vatablus; "ut praedator", Mercerus, Gejerus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "ut raptor", Cocceius; "velut praedo", Michaelis; "ut harpago", Schultens.
F12 (Mydgwb) "perfidos", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Schultens.
F13 (Pyowt) "adjungitque sibi", Tigurine version.

Proverbs 23:28 In-Context

26 son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

27 For a strange house is a vessel full of holes; and a strange well is narrow.

28 For such a one shall perish suddenly; and every transgressor shall be cut off.

29 Who woe? who trouble? who quarrels? and who vexations and disputes? who bruises without a cause? whose eyes are livid?

30 Are not those of them that stay long at wine? not of them that haunt where banquets are? Be not drunk with wine; but converse with just men, and converse openly.