Proverbs 7:10

10 And behold, a woman comes to meet him, ¹Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.

Proverbs 7:10 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 7:10

And, behold, there met him a woman
A married woman, and an adulteress, as the following account of her shows; as soon as ever she discerned the young man before described, who she knew, by his air, walk, and dress, was a fit person for her turn, she at once set out from her house, or the corner where she stood, and met him; she did not wait till he came up and made his suit to her, but she went out, and first attacked him; wherefore the word "behold" is prefixed as a note of admiration at the impudence of the woman, and as a note of attention to observe the consequence of this affair. This woman represents the woman on a scarlet-coloured beast, the mother of harlots, who, though she pretends to be the spouse of Christ, is an arrant whore, ( Revelation 17:3 Revelation 17:5 ) ; [with] the attire of a harlot;
not with her face veiled, as Tamar was, ( Genesis 38:14 Genesis 38:15 ) ; for though that might be the sign of a harlot in the daytime, yet not in the night, as this was; rather with showy gaudy garments, such as the Athenian whores wore, or short ones, as the Romans; the word signifies one fitted to her body, neat and well shaped, to recommend her: so the woman, the whore of Rome, is said to be arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls; signifying the outward pomp and splendour of the Romish religion, designed to captivate weak and unwary minds, (See Gill on Revelation 17:4); and subtle of heart;
mistress of all artful and intriguing methods to seduce and ensnare ^F7; or, "reserved of heart" ^F8, cautious and wary what she said, told everything that was encouraging, but kept back what was discouraging; or she kept her own heart to herself, while she stole the hearts of others; so the Targum renders it,

``which takes away the hearts of young men;''

and to the same purpose are the versions of the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic: the subtlety of the popes, priests, jesuits, and other emissaries of Rome, to deceive the hearts of the simple, is well known; the coming of antichrist was after the working of Satan, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, ( 2 Thessalonians 2:9 2 Thessalonians 2:10 ) .

---

FOOTNOTES:

F7 "Fallendique vias mille ministret amor", Tibullus ad Junonem, 6. v. 12.
F8 (bl trun) "cauta corde", Tigurine version, Mercerus: Gejerus; "retento corde", Cocceius.

Proverbs 7:10 In-Context

8 Passing through the street near her corner; And he takes the way to her house,

9 In the twilight, in the evening , In the middle of the night and in the darkness.

10 And behold, a woman comes to meet him, Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart.

11 She is boisterous and rebellious, Her feet do not remain at home;

12 She is now in the streets, now in the squares, And lurks by every corner.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 38:14, 15; 1 Timothy 2:9